Celebrating the classic winter-themed children’s book, Valerie Cordara’s kindergarten class at Wing Elementary enjoyed her annual Polar Express Day on Dec. 17.

Cordara’s husband John, an actual Long Island Rail Road conductor, dressed the part as he visited her classroom to read “The Polar Express” to the pajama-clad children, punch their “tickets” using a real LIRR ticket puncher shaped like a Christmas tree, and gift them each with a small bell. Maintaining the mood, the students enjoyed hot chocolate after storytime.