Schools will celebrate holidays with concerts, art walk

The Wrangell School District has a packed schedule of events as it heads into the holiday season.

On Friday, Nov. 17, Evergreen Elementary School will hold its annual “Friendsgiving” lunch, where students can invite an adult friend to share a meal with. Food is prepared and served by members of the Parent Teacher Community Club.

Schools will be closed on Nov. 23 and 24 so that teachers and students can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.

On Nov. 29, the elementary school will be transformed into an art gallery for the biannual “Art Walk,” where friends, family and community members can see student work displayed on the school’s walls and in its classrooms.

With the help of art teacher Tawney Crowley, students produced a collaborative Veterans Day project, learned stitching skills in honor of Native American Heritage Month, and decorated sugar skulls to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or the “Day of the Dead,” a Mexican holiday honoring deceased relatives.

This year’s art walk will also feature black light displays and an interactive project.

“I have so much pride in the stuff that the kids make,” said Crowley.

“It’s so much more than arts and crafts,” she continued. “It’s giving them a platform to speak to the community.”

On Dec. 5, the middle and high schools will hold a joint concert in the high school gym. The show will feature the middle school band, high school band, jazz band and combined middle and high school choir.

The bands play “classical band literature,” said music teacher Tasha Morse. Their selections will include a Christmas fugue by high school musicians and a Christmas medley by middle schoolers. The jazz band will play “more upbeat tunes,” like “Feliz Navidad.”

The concert begins at 7 p.m., and a livestream option will be available so that out-of-town family members can enjoy the students’ hard work.

The elementary school winter concert will follow on Dec. 7 in the elementary school gym at 7 p.m. With her younger students, who range from pre-K to fifth grade, Morse focuses on singing and general musical fundamentals

“They’re making amazing progress,” Morse said of her young singers. “They’re doing so well,” particularly at memorization. The group will perform seasonal classics like “Jingle Bells.”

Both winter concerts will last about an hour and 15 minutes.

To occupy the dark days between Christmas and the new year, Parks and Recreation will step in with a “grand relay” for kids and their grandparents Dec. 30 at 10:30 a.m. in the community center gym. Participants will dance, play music chairs, balance an egg and more during the fun-filled competition. Registration is available on the department’s website.

Winter break starts Dec. 18 and classes will restart on Jan. 3, after the district observes the new year and holds a teacher work day on Jan. 2