Notes from Principal Simmons: Weekend Update December 20th

Holidays Around The World

Our first-grade classrooms each transformed into different countries for the day! Students traveled from room to room, where they learned of the holiday traditions in England, Sweden, Germany, Mexico, Israel, Holland, and the United States.

The tradition of caroling is said to have started in England. While visiting Mrs. Yaegle's classroom the students listened to, and even sang, some carols such as "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".

In Mrs. Cunningham's classroom they learned how in Sweden, on December 13th, they celebrate St. Lucia Day which is also called The Festival of Lights. First graders made puppets of Swedish boys and girls dressed in a white gown with a red sash for St. Lucia Day.

The tradition of Gingerbread houses comes from Germany. Ms. Kolis' room was transformed into an actual gingerbread house, and while inside, first graders had a treat of a gingerbread man cookie and colored their own gingerbread man.

Mrs. Lawrence's classroom is where students learned that Feliz Navidad means Merry Christmas in Mexico. They were also very excited to learn that the breaking of a piñata on Christmas is a Mexican tradition.

While in Mrs. Colburn's room, we learned that in Israel they celebrate Hanukkah, or the Feast of Lights. We enjoyed learning how to play a dreidel game.

In Holland, they celebrate the birth of St. Nicholas on December 6th, Before going to bed, the children leave out their shoes, hoping to find them filled with candy and small gifts in the morning. When the students entered Mrs. Vislosky's room they left their shoes outside and in the hallway and were surprised to find a small treat in their shoe when they went to move on to the next classroom!

Mrs. Leonardis' room represented the United States. Here the children watched a short video about Rudolph the red nosed reindeer and then they were able to do a coloring sheet depicting Santa and some reindeer!

5th Grade Buddies

Our 5th grade buddies visited Kindergarten classrooms where they read Holiday themed stories and enjoyed candy canes!

Reindeer Day

Kindergarteners joined in reindeer games this week. Students, made reindeer food, read a reindeer story, and crafted Rudolph and a reindeer hat.

Holiday Parties

This morning students celebrated the holiday season with classroom parties! They played games, made crafts, and enjoyed a holiday treat. Thank you to the parents who volunteered their time to plan and help with the festivities!