Greenfield couple attend Santa school
Craig and Sue Slavik
Santa goes to School? It’s true. There are special schools for Santas, and Craig and Sue Slavik residents of Greenfield recently attended a very special school in Orland, Florida, and received their bachelor’s degree in Santaclausology.
Hundreds of Santa’s and a few Mrs. Claus have begun their preparations for the 2022 Holiday Season by attending the two-day “School 4 Santas,” presented by the International University of Santa Clausä, IUSC. Over 4,800 Santa’s and Mrs. Clauses have attended the school in the past 20 years.
A Santa and Mrs. Claus for five years, Craig and Sue learned there is more to being Santa than just wearing a Red Suit and sitting in a chair. During the special two-day school, they learned a great deal about “The Business of Santa Claus.” Subjects covered included the details of being Santa, plus the necessary elements of safety and today’s protocols of working with and handling children. They have appeared at various functions in the area including as the official Santa and Mrs. Claus at South Fulton Elementary School “Breakfast with Santa” and at Youth Villages Foster Care in Paris. After the Dresden tornado on Dec. 10, 2021, Santa Craig and Mrs. Sue Claus volunteered at the Dresden distribution center to help bring a little Christmas spirit to those who had lost so much
Santa Craig and Mrs. Sue Claus report that this training was a very “in-depth” school covering not only the basics, but many other subjects. “We learned a great deal including how to work with special needs children & families, the history of Santa Claus, proper grooming and appearance, and how to maintain a proper Santa wardrobe.”
Other subjects covered at the school included making appearances at special events, entertainment & presentation styles, and the basic business aspects of being a Santa.
At the completion of the school all graduates receive a BSC, “Bachelor of Santa Claus” Diploma, conferring a degree in Santaclausology. And they instantly became members of the school’s alumni association, “The Red Suit Society.”
The school is presented by Santa Tim Connaghan, Chancellor of IUSC, who is celebrating his 50th year as a Santa. Santa Tim has appeared at thousands of events, on television shows including the Today Show, Deal or No Deal, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, Dr. Phil, the Tonight Show, and in advertising and commercials for such clients as Oreos, Target, J.C. Penney, Honey-Baked Ham, Planter’s, Ritz Crackers, Kraft, Old Navy and the Hallmark Channel. He also operates the nation’s largest Santa employment agency, RealSantas.com, which placed 700 Santas in 2021.
School4Santas is presented by The International University of Santa Clausä and is the only Santa School that travels to different cities. Schools have also been presented in Canada, Europe and each year aboard a select Princess Cruise. Each summer hundreds of Santas attend these schools, which will visit 10 cities across the US in 2012. Over 2,200 Santas and Mrs. Claus have attended the School and it is the largest annual Santa Training School in the World.
More information on Santa Craig and Mrs. Sue Claus or to schedule a visit can be found at http://www.greenfieldsanta.com
