Just before Thanksgiving, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at Golden Hill Elementary School put on music filled events that got everyone in the mood for the holiday dedicated to bringing people together.
The Kindergarten Thankful Show has been going strong for nine years. Initially, music teacher Kristin Risedorph and her students put on a winter-themed show, but they decided to spotlight other holidays and days throughout the year that needed attention. A Thanksgiving feast was originally served, but
now families sit and enjoy the show and then stay to make some crafts together with the students.
“Our theme this year, as always, is being thankful, and our crafts were some cute fall owls,” Risedorph said.
The pre-K event is not quite a show, Risedorph describes it more as a soiree where teachers invite families to come and hang out with their children and do some fun activities and crafts. Risedorph and the students also prepare a song for this event and everyone enjoys a snack.
Whether it be a special event or just a regular school day, Risedorph said singing is often heard throughout the school.
“The kids at Golden Hill really love singing, and it's a point of pride for me to hear singing coming from the classrooms all day long,” Risedorph explained. “It’s often you can walk into the cafeteria and hear the kids singing songs from our shows or even just our classroom work.”
Golden Hill Principal Starla Ciarelli finds that parents enjoy participating in events like these with their children.
“They provide an opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their children and enjoy a few meaningful moments together during the holiday season,” Ciarelli said.
There’s more music to be heard at Golden Hill in the new year. The fourth and fifth graders will stage their Winter Concert on Jan. 15 while first through third graders will hold their concert musical on Feb.
12.