Christmastime at Meadows Valley School
Meadows Valley School celebrated the season of cheer with a Christmas themed literacy night, Christmas concert, and a week of dress up days.
The evening of Tuesday, December 10 brought students and their families in for the school’s twice per year community literacy night. Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand with their small pup to greet children, ask their requests, receive letters, and pass out candy canes. On top of that, Mrs. Claus read The Night Before Christmas and explained the origin of the story. Guests were welcomed to enjoy a dinner of homemade chili and cornbread provided by Angie Mettie, who coordinated the event, and the school’s PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). Sugar cookies were available to decorate as well as letter writing templates to put in Santa’s mailbox.
Literacy games and ideas for reading related activities were available at various tables. Each child was able to take a free Christmas or Winter themed book home with them. The next evening, Wednesday, December 11, the school gym was filled with festively dressed family members and students for the school’s Christmas Concert. Elementary students were led by music teacher Kimberly Dalrymple as they sang Christmas favorites and added a few surprises including a tap dance and distribution of cups of hot chocolate during the Hot Chocolate Song from The Polar Express movie.
Bart Carpenter introduced 6th grade students who have been learning guitar this year under his direction. Two groups of three performed Jingle Bells and Smoke on the Water. Three students joined the first group to sing along and add bells.
Senior student Xaiya Solis has been working most of the school year on a band program that meets two to three times per week. The group showcased their talent, with Solis conducting, at the event. The High School Club is part of Solis’ senior project and grew out of a request she heard and shared for the school to continue a secondary band program.
Solis was supported by Linda Kollman who taught music at the school last year. She gave thanks to Kollman and the students who joined the band and did a great job leading. The group performed four songs in between the elementary and 6th grade acts. Guests had the option throughout the evening to purchase a special treat and support the 10th grade class during their bake sale fundraiser.
The last week of the year before Christmas break brought even more festivity to the halls with special dress up days, class parties, and Secret Santa gift exchanges. Christmas pajamas, character day, featuring Cindy Lou Whos and at least one grinch, candy cane (red and white), and ugly sweater days sent kids off for the holiday break with fun and good cheer.
