Elementary school students in South Bend surprised with field trip

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – First graders from the Madison Steam Academy in South Bend got a chance to meet Santa Claus on Monday during a field trip to the Yellow Cat Café.

The impromptu field trip was made after students at Madison missed out on other events earlier in the year due to the scare of Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Stacey Wilson, the owner of the Yellow Cat Café, said this was an opportunity to spread the joy.

"A lot of these kids don't get this kind of opportunity to go out to a restaurant to go somewhere and eat and do something like this," Wilson said. "So we just thought it would be a way to do something nice to the community for them."

Wilson also added, "The Madison Steam Academy first graders missed a couple of field trips because of the triple e outbreak and I said ‘Oh, wouldn't it be cool if we could do something fun for them for Christmas?’."

Jennifer Shields, a teacher at Madison, said that the field trip means a lot to the school and the children.

"[Stacey] has also already given us pumpkins and apples during the fall," Shields said, "and she also plans on coming to the school and reading to us once a month." 

"Yellow Cat did not have to look for a school or look to sponsor anybody," Deb Martin said, Principal of Madison Steam Academy. "They gave up one of their days of business to do this so we're just so appreciative, and it's an experience our kids will never forget.''

"I think it's important during this Christmas season to remember people who are less fortunate that you and to try and do good things for others," Shields also said.

Students received goody bags that contained clothes, school supplies, personal care products, books, candy and toys.

Teachers and students attended the luncheon along with Principal Martin and the Vice Principal of the Madison Steam Academy.

A total of six classrooms were a part of the field trip.