Santa Fe Standard

At El Dorado Community School, Principal John Sais celebrated student achievement in an unusual way by kissing a donkey. This event took place on Friday, December 20th and became a memorable moment in the school's history.

The idea for this celebration was born from a challenge Sais issued to his students during the Middle of the Year short-cycle assessments. He promised that if more than 95% of students participated in the tests, he would do something extraordinary as a reward. The students exceeded expectations with a 100% participation rate.

The assessments included Istation for grades K-2 and iReady for grades 3-8, which are important tools for tracking student progress. The perfect participation rate reflected the students' commitment and growth since the Beginning of the Year assessments. To honor their success, Sais kept his promise with a lighthearted event that left everyone smiling.

“I wanted to show our students that their hard work doesn’t just lead to academic success but also brings joy and excitement,” said Sais. “It’s important to create memorable and engaging experiences in education!”

Josie, a miniature donkey from nearby L&S Star Ranch, was at the center of attention during this celebration. Miniature donkeys are naturally small, standing no taller than 36 inches at the withers and weighing between 200 and 450 pounds. In contrast, standard donkeys typically measure 36 to 48 inches tall and weigh between 400 to 500 pounds. Josie's charm added extra fun to the occasion.

This unconventional celebration not only honored student efforts but also showcased creative ways educators can inspire communities to aim high while enjoying their journey.