By Jessica Cabeen, Woodson Kindergarten Center Principal

For those of you who have had a child, grandchild or other relative come through Woodson, you know that December really is a magical time here. Teachers spend quality instruction time on students’ academic skills while infusing literature, arts, music and engineering into seasonal activities.

For example, the first week of December was our Holiday Sing. Students have been learning songs that use American Sign Language, Swahili and Spanish and performed those songs in Knowlton Auditorium. Week two of our most wonderful time of the year includes a magical trip to the North Pole on the Polar Express. Students and teachers come to school in pajamas and see a reenactment of the story, including a train conductor and Santa Claus. The students all read the book in advance to develop those important listening and comprehending skills while enjoying a holiday classic with friends. And, of course, what would a Polar Express Day be without creating their very own gingerbread houses.

Our final weeks bring us to learn how to be more grateful for what we have, what we can give to others and how that giving makes us feel. Teachers will spend time daily reviewing the Character Counts pillars. This helps our students generalize the season throughout the entire year. If this is your first trip as a Woodson parent, enjoy. These experiences and memories really do last a lifetime.

Season’s greetings!