Someone touched the ELF!!

Ahhhhhhhh……..I couldn't believe it!  A student touched the elf even though we kept talking about how no matter what we could NOT touch the elf or he would lose his magic.

Here is what happened:  Yesterday I had to leave at lunch to go to the dentist.  (Sounds like fun right?)  Well, I was getting the kids lined up for lunch and while they line up I have to run another student to the office to give him his meds each day.  (Our school nurse doesn't get there until after lunch.)

So I walk back into the room and one of the sweetest little boys in my classroom is standing mouth wide open and bug-eyed.  I ask him what is the matter and he stammers, "________ touched the ELF!"  I honestly thought this sweet boy was going to cry.  Well everyone heard what happened and I made a big deal about how I hoped Zack (our elf) would be o.k.  At that point, I had to take the kids to lunch.

I had to think fast once I got back to my classroom because I was leaving and didn't want my sub to have to deal with the fall out.  I made up this note and when the kids came back from lunch Zack was gone.

I asked some friends on Facebook last night what I should do, but I kind of had a plan in mind.  I really wanted to still use the elf, but wanted it definitely understood that no one could touch him again.

Today when the students arrived this is what they saw.

I made a big deal about how Zack was sick from what happened yesterday.  Zack left us this note.  (Thanks Krista for the cute frame!)

The kids ate this up!  They felt so bad for Zack.  It was truly priceless to see their reaction.

We write in our "Elf Journal" each day and it is really nothing fancy.  Here is one of my little kinder's journal entry for today.

Thankfully we also found this note from Santa.

We each got to take a pinch of medicine and sprinkle it on Zack.

This is what he looked like afterward.

I am pretty sure Zack will make a full recovery.  PTL!  Although, I did pull my special friend out in the hall and told him he is in no way shape or form allowed to touch the elf again.  I think after seeing everyone's reaction I don't have to worry about it.  :)

Have any of you ever had a student touch your elf?  How did you handle the situation?  I received a lot of great ideas, but this one worked best for me and my class.