Roundup

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Keynote Speaker: Mr. Fred Shafer
Keynote Speach description:

Here Comes Santa!! Making Spirits Bright for Children with Special Needs
Meeting Santa Claus for children with special needs can present a challenge. But a caring and jolly Santa who understands special needs can make the holidays bright and cheerful for children and their families. Be that Santa who brings “special” to the holiday season for children with special needs.

Fred Shafer Bio

Fred has served all the 40 years of his education career in the field of special education as a school psychologist, education consultant, executive director of special education and special education monitor/conservator for the Texas Education Agency.

Fred began his career in 1976 at Region 3 Education Service Center in Victoria, Tx as an education consultant and later as the Director of Special Education Services.

Fred and his wife Patti moved to Katy in 2001.  Fred was hired as the Director for Special Education and Patti as an assistant principal.  Fred later became the Executive Director for Special Education, Counseling and Psychological Services and Patti became the Principal for West Memorial Junior High School and later was selected to open Woodcreek Junior High School.

In 2009 Fred was hired as the Director of Special Education for Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, TX

Fred retired in 2012 but continued to do contract work for Region 4 ESC and school districts across the state. Fred served as a state appointed special education monitor and conservator for the Texas Education Agency and as Executive Director of Special Education for Beaumont ISD and Birdville ISD

Upon retirement Fred and Patti were honored by the Katy ISD Board of Trustees to be the namesakes for Fred and Patti Shafer Elementary School for their years of service in education, especially in Katy ISD.

Fred believes strongly in volunteering and giving back to the community.  He serves as a Katy ISD KEYS mentor and mentors at-risk students in the District.

Fred serves as the President Elect for The Arc of Katy, a non-profit organization that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  He is also a board member for the Live Like Lucas Foundation that focuses on helping individuals and organizations that support children with disabilities.

In 2021 Fred left the field of public education and was hired as the Executive Director of Special Needs Ministry for Kingsland Baptist Church.  Fred felt the calling to use his experience in special education in the public-school setting to minister to children and adults with special needs and their families.

Only about 10% of churches provide a special needs ministry.  Individuals with disabilities are one of the most underserved groups by the church.  Over the past 2 ½ years Kingsland has seen a 115% increase in the number of children, youth and adults with special needs served in the Special Needs Ministry.

Fred and Patti have two married children and four grandchildren who all live in Katy.

Click here to download the Tentative Schedule.

New Santa and Mrs. Claus Training – Karen and Jim Flinn

Are you a new Santa with 5 years of experience or less? Do you know what you want to do but are just not sure how to accomplish it? Maybe you just don’t know where to start and what is most important. If this describes you, then join us at the fourth annual presentation of “New Santa and Mrs. Claus” training on Friday, from 8 am until noon. Topics to be addressed are suit and accessories selection, types of appearances, why props can be important, Santa as a business or hobby, Mrs. Claus as an active part of your Santa appearances, tips and techniques that will improve your presentations, available Santa schools and why you need to attend. We will touch on many areas and guide you to get more information from the workshops that will be presented on Friday and Saturday.

New Santa and Mrs. Claus training will be presented by Jim and Karen Flinn. To attend the seminar online registration is required prior to Friday, 7 March 2024.

Register by emailing to info@windcrestsanta.com to reserve your spot. Only people who register in this manner will receive the opportunity to receive door prizes during the instruction.

Seasoned Santa Training – Tim Phillips and John Manes

Developing

Mrs. Claus Training – Brenda Marshall

In this Mrs. Claus class, we will cover several topics: developing

ASL Christmas  – Harvey Manning, and Myrnaloy Manning, PODA

Developing

Spanish for Santas – Eric Dieckman 

Spanish speakers can be found everywhere, including some of your visitors while you’re in the chair. This workshop focuses on a few simple phrases to help bring those visitors some Christmas cheer en Español.

Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus – Santa Lance

Tracing the History of Santa Through the Ages -Santa Doc Black. This class will take a look at the real man, Nicholas of Mira, starting from a young boy to his mission of bringing joy to children. It will then follow his mission to our present-day depiction of Santa.

How to COT – Santa Lance

What are the requirements to conduct a COT in your area for LSS. The process and procedures required to plan and execute a COT will be discussed. This class is for those members that wish to conduct a COT in their respective home areas should the need arise.

Social Media Introduction – Elizabeth Saunders

Did you know a Reel is not just a Scottish dance and that TikTok is not just a sound a clock makes? If you want to get an introduction to the wonderful world of Social Media then this workshop is for you.  We will figure out what the different platforms are and how they are used. Why do the kids call them hashtags and not pound signs? We might even make a special Reel for your timeline!

The Real Reason for the Season – Santa Gordon

How do you combine Jesus with Santa for Christmas visits.  Learn how to word an email asking clients if they want this done without offending anyone.  We will share presentation ideas that you can use when you get permission from your client.

A More Inclusive Santa – Sharon Newhardt

Morgan’s Wonderland presentation

A More Inclusive Santa: Making Memories for Individuals with Disabilities and Special Needs. Sharon will share tips on how to enhance your interactions with individuals in the community to make every Santa experience Inclusive and Magical! Designed to help Santa and Mrs. Claus with tips and techniques on how to achieve encounters that are filled with comfo1t and joy for all ages and abilities. This presentation with accompanying video will educate the use of proper terminology and appropriate etiquette when engaging with individuals who have special needs. Various communities

Developing your Back Story – Chris Saunders

Do you know who your North Pole Persona is? Can you answer questions about you from children and adults like, “How did you and Mrs. Claus meet? How many Elves are at the North Pole? How did you become Santa Claus?” Come join us during the Developing Your Backstory Workshop to learn how to develop your history along with tricks and tips on how to remember it!

Elf 101 The FUNdamentals Training – ELF Flurrie McSparkles

In Elf 101 we are going to go over the fundamentals of being an elf. This will include the three M’s : Manners, Mischief and Magic and how to balance them. A short History of the North Pole Expectations for helping our Santa’s with events. How we handle tricky questions from kids, The rules on Candy, Consistency and Community as well as a short creative  writing project to make sure each of our elves know WHO they are , WHAT they do in the North Pole and WHERE they feel like appearing during the holidays. We will also go over costume tips

New Santa’s Resources – Santa Jim Parker

Developing

Using a talent agent modeling – TBD

Developing

TBD – Fred Shafter

Developing

Beard Care – Christine Flanagan

Developing 

Puppetry = Brenda Marshall

Developing

Santa Situation awareness – Santa McLeroy

Developing

We are looking forward to another great cookie contest this year. Put your North Pole Bakery skills to the test and bring the cookies that we are sure will put smiles on everyone’s faces.

Download the Cookie Contest Entry Form

Deadline for form submission is Feb 28, 2025

One of the highlights of Roundup every year is our Christmas Performer style show. 

The Roundup theme this year is Santa for All Seasons. So, we thought it would be fun to show outfits for all seasons. This includes something you wear in May or July or some other time of the year.

Download the entry form for the 2025 Lone Star Santas Style Show

Entries must be submitted by February 12, 2025.

Every year Roundup brings some amazing vendors. This year is no different. Here is our list of current vendors:

 Service Project details will be shared soon.