It's the event they've been waiting for all year. The day they get to leave their books behind and burn up the dance floor with their sizzling moves.
"The party is great," one student said.
More than a hundred students with special needs came to this year's holiday party at South Richmond High School and according to the them, it was a big hit.
"This holiday party is awesome," said one student.
Volunteer Teresa Flynn started the event with help from the Staten Island Bikers Association.
More than five years later, the holiday bash has become one of the most anticipated events of the school year.
"The kids can come and have a good time and get the picture with Santa Clause and participate," said Teresa Flynn, our Staten Islander of the Week.
Flynn has a son with Autism and says she knows all too well how stressful this time of year can be for families of those with special needs.
That's why she wanted to create an event where kids can celebrate the season in a comfortable setting.
"If they do have a hard time and if they do have a fit it's okay because there's other people here that are in our shoes and understand," said Flynn.
Teachers say the experience is invaluable.
"If we start doing this when the children are very young, they'll get used to this and they won't be frightened when they come to parties and they won't be over-stimulated because they'll kind of be used to it," said Angela Gerace, a teacher at South Richmond High School.
Flynn's dedication to the special needs community doesn't stop here. She is on the front line of Autism advocacy, working closely with local organizations like Autism Speaks and Autism Warriors.
Flynn says it's all to support other families going through a similar struggle.
"We have our good times and we have our bad times but you can't give up you have to keep going," she said.
As for the kids, they say they're thankful to have something like this to look forward to each year.
"It's a great tradition for Christmas," said a student.
And so, for keeping spirits bright this holiday season, Teresa Flynn is our Staten Islander of the Week.