Lauren Boyle, the owner of the historic home built in the 1940s, treated the festive crew to a tour and history of the house, which was built by sisters Maude Meagher and Carolyn Smiley. Daughters of missionaries, they used handmade adobe bricks for the structure that was their residence, as well as the foundation of World Youth, a magazine devoted to children and world peace.

Visitors wound their way through the circular house, discovering room after room featuring hand-painted ceramic tiles with such themes as "animals that never lived," and copper printing plates along the fireplace from the house's printing press days. Nothing drew more "oohs," however, than the secret door located in the back of a closet and blended in with the wall. The door is about waist high and opens up into the last rooms of the house.

The tour ended back at the kitchen, where there was food and eggnog. Soon after, Superintendent Lane Weiss appeared as Santa Claus, playing guitar and singing Christmas carols with the members of his staff.

Terrie Creamer, president of SEF, said that Weiss started his caroling troupe a few years ago, stopping at the SEF party and the other district schools, as well as the city of Saratoga. "He's not going to be able to stop now," Creamer joked. "His presence is expected."

Aside from general holiday spirit, the SEF party is thrown as a thank-you to its board members for their fundraising efforts, which support the Saratoga schools. So far they have raised $360,000, and their target goal is $1.2 million by the end of the school year. All of the money SEF raises goes directly into the Saratoga school system, funding programs such as music, arts, physical education, school libraries and science teachers.

The holiday party is Creamer's gesture of appreciation for the board volunteers. And she says that Weiss' presence as a singing Santa is important to the parents because it shows the administration's appreciation of the board's efforts.

"It means a lot having the superintendent coming to the parents' party to sing," she said.

The involvement of Boyle and Realtor Rick Bonetti was also a step toward more community collaboration, Creamer said. "Usually, the party is just at my house." Creamer hopes that this year's change in locale will inspire more community members to become involved in Saratoga's education system.

Creamer's vision is one of total collaboration and cooperation among the board members, faculty, administration, parents and community members in giving the children the best education possible.