Elf On The Shelf Comes To Life At Avon Lake School

AVON LAKE, OH — It was one heck of a way to kick-off the holiday season. Redwood Elementary Principal T.J. Ebert and Jen Fazio, LEAPS Preschool director, on the roof of the school building, dressed as elves (a clever play on the Elf on the Shelf toy).

Each day this week Ebert and Fazio went to a different spot, moving the same way the original Elf on the Shelf did. The two staffers will continue to greet students and colleagues by stationing themselves in different places each day until the holiday break starts.

"At first, many students did not know it was their beloved principals," an Avon Lakes school official said. "The elves want to make sure the students know they are watching so the students are good in school before the holidays."

The Elf on the Shelf story is a more contemporary Christmas tale, originating in a book published in 2005, according to AOL. The story of the titular Elf is this: he was sent to watch over children and then report back to Santa with news of whether or not the child was good or bad. Obviously, this would have a major impact on the child's gifts on Christmas Day.

The story spawned a toy that can now be bought in stores across the country. When kids go to sleep, the toy elf frequently moves — seemingly on his own — to a new place in the house...to continue his reporting.

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Photos from Jantz Photography