Halloween might have been canceled for the second year in a row, but Scotland School students made up for it at the annual Thanksgiving Sing-A-Long on November 21st.
Scotland’s Sing-A-Longs are led by music teacher Jim Tornatore and include the entire school and faculty. They are normally scheduled four times a year; Halloween, Thanksgiving, the December Holidays, and the last day of school. They are never advertised but many parents tend to sneak in the back to enjoy the entertainment. These are student events, but parents love to attend.
The Sing-A-Longs are lively affairs, with different grades showcasing different talents. This year, to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Kindergarteners walked in proudly wearing their hand made paper turkey hats. The 1st Graders were wearing Native American costumes decorated with their chosen Native American name, and carrying owner sticks decorated with feathers, shells and pinecones. Other highlights included selected 4th Graders who danced a Native American dance while their classmates played for them on their recorders, and 5th Graders disguised as cheerleaders and football players.
As usual the Sing-A-Long was introduced by Scotland Principal Mark Solomon who was faced with a sea of waving arms when he asked the crowd to “raise your hand if you have more than 5 things you are thankful for”, and then reminded the students to go home, take a break from homework and enjoy their families.
A poignant moment included selected 5th Graders telling everyone what they were thankful for this year. Many of the students expressed gratitude for their houses and shelter in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, while others were thankful for their families, their school, their teachers, their principal and their dreams.
The Sing-A-Long finished with the traditional Turkey Boogie performed by the entire school.
The next Sing-A-Long is scheduled for the last day of school before the Holidays, December 21st. It is the perfect way to get into the Holiday Spirit and to see the happiness at Scotland School.
