NEARLY 550 CARS lined up around the block at 701 N. Madison St. in Stockton on Saturday morning as SUSD brought in Santa Claus with presents for students.
The principals across Stockton Unified School District’s 55 schools selected 10 students each to receive bags with presents. Each bag contained a $50 gift card, two books, pencils and stuffed animals.
Edison High School’s marching band made the rounds of the block playing for the families waiting in lines to collect the gift bags.
“We have our superintendent, Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, as Mrs. Claus and have the real Santa Claus out here,” said Melinda Meza, SUSD director of communications.
SUSD Board President Kennetha Stevens greeted the families dressed as an elf, alongside Vice President Sofia Colon and Board Clerk Donald Donaire.
The Edison High School Marching Band performs during Holiday Express in Stockton on Dec. 16, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, played by Superintendent Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, wave at the children in cars during Holiday Express in Stockton on Dec. 16, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Santa Claus hands out a Holiday Express bag to a student in a car during Holiday Express in Stockton on Dec. 16, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Stockton Unified School District Area 6 Trustee Sofia Colon (left) and Area 5 Trustee Donald Donaire take part in SUSD’s Holiday Express Christmas event in Stockton on Dec. 16, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Alfredo Cartagena, a volunteer, hands out toys to a student in a car during Holiday Express in Stockton on Dec. 16, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
SUSD Assistant Superintendent Kasey Klappenback hands out candy canes as families wait in their cars during Holiday Express in Stockton on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
The Edison High School Marching Band performs during Holiday Express in Stockton on Dec. 16, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Families line up in their cars for SUSD’s Holiday Express in Stockton on Dec. 16, 2023. The event distributed gift bags to 550 students. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
“It’s important for people to have moments and memories that they can depend on,” said Superintendent Rodriguez. “I’m really excited that we are starting new traditions and memories for our community.”
Harika Maddala is a photojournalist based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. They are a Report for America corps member and a CatchLight Local Fellow.
