St. Matthew School hosts Christmas lunch

St. Matthew Lutheran School in Hawthorn Woods continued its Christmas lunch tradition Friday with an event that featured gifts, songs and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Parent Teacher League decorated the gym and cooked a complete turkey dinner for the school's students, teachers and staff. Around 85 people were in attendance, including members of the local fire and police departments.

Each of the school's 54 preschool through eighth grade students received an ornament from the school and special gifts from their classroom parents. The morning included a chapel service and singing of Christmas carols.

Principal Grant Seaholm said it's great to see everyone working together, including the volunteers, to make it a special day.

"It brings the entire school community together. All the parents, all the students. It's just one of those very special moments of the whole year where we are all together as family," Seaholm said.

The luncheon ended with cupcakes and singing happy birthday to Jesus to celebrate his birth. Santa and Mrs. Claus also stopped by and enjoyed the festivities.