Elementary Rings in Christmas with Variety Show
The YISS Auditorium was abuzz with excitement on Friday, December 16, as Mr. Adams hosted the first-ever teacher variety show at the Christmas Assembly. Mr. Benedict and Mr. Adams led students - karaoke style - through several Christmas carols as classes arrived and got settled in for the show. To kick things off, the winners of the ES door decorating contest were announced: In third place, Mrs. Falgout & Ms. Hawkins (3D), in second place, Ms. Delisle (2D), and in first place, Mrs. Simova (1B). Mr. Moore’s class took the prize for most creative, while Mrs. Riñen’s door was honored as having the most student influence.
Once celebrations subsided, Mr. Adams challenged students to think deeply about the stories that were about to be shared. Various teachers from across the ES would be coming on stage to share their favorite memories; memories that might challenge students to think about the amazing, fun, and deep truths surrounding Christmas traditions.
First up was Mrs. Falgout, who talked about stockings shared in her household, showcasing handmade stockings and stories of Christmas mornings spent unwrapping the treasures within. She also shared that her mother had the tradition of gifting her a silver bell every Christmas - for her entire life! She now has a collection of silver bells in various styles and sizes that announce the arrival of the advent season and proclaim the birth of Jesus. Mrs. Treviño then sang Jay Livingston and Ray Evans’s “Silver Bells.”
The next teacher spotlight featured Mr. Moore, who began by describing his family’s tradition of caroling around their neighborhood, complete with a trumpet and other instruments played by various siblings. He was then joined by Ms. Yi and Ms. Samson for a remake of Alvin and the Chipmunk’s “Christmas Don’t be Late.” Not to be outdone, Ms. Larsen - along with Mrs. Walley, Ms. Downie, and Ms. Hawkins - led students in an active reenactment of the “12 Days of Christmas.”
Next on stage was Ms. Riñen, singing Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph, Run.” Students sang along and ran (in place!) as fast as they could to catch up to Rudolph. Then, Mr. Rayburn and Ms. Samson were joined by fourth and fifth graders from the elementary dance team to lead the entire student body in performing “Christmas Time is Here.” Students in the auditorium stepped out into the aisles to have room to move and groove to this Make Some Noise Kids Music piece that they’d been practicing during their dance units in PE class.
Ms. Swift was up next, focusing students' thoughts on the Biblical account of the Christmas story with two traditions that she holds dear. First is an ornament that she hangs on her tree with an image of Jesus. The second is the making of a “Happy Birthday Jesus” cake. Both traditions serve as reminders to Ms. Swift that this season is all about Jesus and celebrating His presence on earth. Before final songs were sung, Mrs. Wilcox read Alison Mitchell’s “The Christmas Promise,” highlighting the prophecies of the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Jesus, who came to be “a new King; a rescuing King; a forever King.”
The Christmas Variety Show was filled with celebration, singing, dancing, and laughter, as all ES students gathered to delight in Christmas festivities. We truly are better together!