On the last day of school before the holiday break, Turner Woods Elementary School held its annual Christmas Sing-Along pep rally, with cheerleading, choir performances, and “reindeer games” to reign in the fall semester.
Media Specialist Laura Dixon said the Dec. 19 event was the best way to send students off for the holidays.
“After a week of Christmas spirit days and fun, the Christmas Sing-Along is the perfect, chaotic, and spirited start to the season,” Dixon said.
The pep rally commenced with Turner Woods Elementary’s cheerleading team, in red holiday shirts and green pom poms, chanting holiday cheers to excite the crowd for the festivities.
Then, the chorus, directed by Choir Teacher Jeffery Shaw, sang “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” inviting the students and teachers to sing along with them.
After the choir sang, Exploratory Teacher Shauna Jones, the event’s emcee, kicked off the first “reindeer game.” Teachers and other faculty members, including Principal Keisha Pitts, had to listen to a snippet of popular holiday jingles, like “Santa Tell Me,” “Last Christmas,” and “Santa Clause is Coming to Town,” and finish the lyrics correctly.
Students cheered for every faculty member until one remained victorious, Paraprofessional Cortlyn Barton, who won a festive holiday necklace.
Then, the cheerleaders put on a Christmas routine, with tumbling and stunts to further excite the crowd. They also taught the student body some Christmas dance moves to get them up and moving in the bleachers.
First-grade teacher Rebecca Belshan’s class performed “Jingle Bells” in American Sign Language and taught students how to sign the words “Merry Christmas.”
Another “reindeer game” included students and faculty members of the same grade level working together to compete against other teams. Each team passed around a balloon and could not let it hit the ground. Faculty could not use their hands, making the game extra tricky. The objective was to keep the balloon from hitting the ground while team members took turns putting Christmas bows into a bucket. The team that filled their bucket first won. Ultimately, the fifth-grade team.
Among more games, like students wrapping teachers in gift-wrapping paper, and performances, like the choir singing “Feliz Navidad,” the pep rally settled down.
A significant aspect of the event was for teachers and families to donate toys to the school’s toy drive, reminding everyone of the reason for the season.
The pep rally ended with much joy for students and teachers alike as they returned to their classrooms to finish the last festive school day before break.
