Decatur Pre-K takes imaginary trip to North Pole aboard the Polar Express

DECATUR — After experiencing a real train ride on board the Arkansas and Missouri Christmas Express train Dec. 18, students of Decatur Pre-K school took a journey of a different kind, an imaginary trip to the North Pole, aboard the “Polar Express” Dec. 20.

Mike Eckels, the train conductor from the Pre-K’s earlier ride, joined the four- and five-yearold students on their short journey to seek out Santa Claus and his team of eight reindeer.

After Eckels punched each student’s ticket, Joyce Turnage (Pre-K teacher), dressed in an old time train engineer’s overalls, led the kids to their seats in her classrooms.

“The Polar Express” stars legendary actor Tom Hanks in a multitude of characters including the train’s conductor, the father and Santa Claus. Since its release on Nov. 10, 2004, the movie has become one of the most popular Christmastime films of the 21st century, grossing over $310.60 million in revenue.

This movie has become a tradition for the Decatur Pre-K students, as well as their counterparts in schools around the world.

As the movie started, the students, dressed in their pajamas (following the characters in the film) sat down in front of the screen ready to begin their imaginary journey to the North Pole.

After the movie, the kids gathered together for a photo which they left for Santa to pick up as he makes his rounds on Christmas Eve.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Students of Decatur Pre-K School gather together in Joyce Turnage’s classroom to watch Tom Hanks’ “Polar Express” Dec. 20 in Decatur. The group experienced a real train ride Dec. 18 aboard the A&M’s “Christmas Express” roundtrip from Springdale to Johnson.