Third - fifth grade teacher Jamie Matthew operates the music and directs while classroom aid Liza Ward records the students singing. Back (L-R): Noah Morgan, Nikylie Vance and Evan Leford. Front (L-R): Camden Gleason, Eden Urick, Kaleesi Phillips and Wren McCormick.
The kindergarten – second grade class. Back (L-R): William Welch, Jade Arnold, Delani Mauldin and Jolene Auchenbach. Front (L-R) Behr McCormick, JJ Taylor and Aric Arnold.
The sixth – eighth graders. Front (L-R): Levi Boyd, Sarah Hughes, Rilyn Richardson and Aubrey Matthew. Back (L-R): Lilly Boyd, Darby Gleason, Laciey Auchenbach, Sam Hughes and Tate McNutt.
SWAN VALLEY – Even though Swan Valley School did not have an audience this year for their Christmas Program, it did not squash their Holiday Spirit. Singing with their class in the fresh snow or in their classroom, students shared songs of the season that were videoed and shared on the Swan Valley School's private Facebook page.
Wednesday, Dec. 16 Jamie Matthew's third – fifth grade class chose to do their Christmas Program outside.
"We live in such a beautiful area, and we were able to spread out, so they could sing without masks," wrote Matthew in an email.
The students sang songs that were not only challenging, like singing Pentatonix's version of "Up On The Housetop" a cappella, but also had what Matthew said have "beautiful Christmas messages that the students wanted to send out to their community this holiday season." They opened their part of the program with Faith Hill's version of "Where Are You Christmas and then finished with "Let It Be Christmas" by Alan Jackson.
"They worked hard and I am so proud of them," wrote Matthew. "This school year has had its challenges, but I have tried to have my students focus on what we can do instead of focusing on what we can't do. In doing this, they have come up with some innovative ideas and solutions such as their Christmas Program."
Matthew added that when COVID is over, they will be really grateful for all the little things they have taken for granted over the years.
Thursday, Dec. 17 the junior high students also took the opportunity to sing outside. They had fun with "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" with several props appearing behind the class as they sang. "Deck the Halls" was sung as more of a traditional carol. Jumping out from behind the trees, Aubrey Matthew, Rilyn Richardson, Darby Gleason and Laciey Auchenbach shook things up as they sang and danced to "Run, Run Rudolph." The entire class returned to sing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."
The kindergarten, first and second-graders sang and danced in their classroom. They sang "Jingle Bells" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." For "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" they added red noses to their reindeer antlers while they danced and moved to the music.
Secretary Katie Gleason wrote in an email, "They all did so wonderful!"
Matthew added, "We wish everyone in the valley a very Merry Christmas."
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