For many kids in Southeast Georgia, seeing snow is only a dream. But for some students at Smiley Elementary School in Long County, that dream came true last Friday when the media center held its first snow day.  
According to media specialist Susan Fuentes, the event was planned as a reward for the students who met their Accelerated Reader goal for the second nine-week period and had an average of 85 percent.  
She said that more than 400 students in grades one through three earned the right to participate in the special day, and all of them had a wonderful time making snowballs, snow angels and even a snow man.  Fuentes said the students also enjoyed sugar cookies and hot chocolate with marshmallows. She said that for many of the kids, it was the first time they had ever seen snow, and it was a day that they would never forget.
“The students worked really hard to meet their goal so they could attend the first-ever snow day at Smiley,” Fuentes said. “Both the students and teachers had a blast … it’s the talk of the school.”
Snow South, based in Darien, provided the real snow.
Media-center paraprofessional Gina Riddle said that the Accelerated Reader program is a teaching tool in which children read books and are tested on them. She said the books in the program are on different grade levels, and that different books earn different points.  
Fuentes said that the day was a big success and appreciates all who assisted in putting it together.
“We are grateful to all of our wonderful volunteers — Mrs. Shari Musser, Mrs. Carrie Roberson, Mrs. Gwendolyn Walker, Ms. Trina Walcott and Ms. Trish Lohsandt,” Fuentes said. “I’d like to also thank our administrators Mr. David Edwards, Mrs. Ann Thompson and Mrs. Lisa Kuhaneck for supporting us in our efforts to reward our students for all of their hard work in reading. Our library is a happening place and students are already looking forward to our next AR party.”