What is the Grades Winter Festival?

For New Families: What to Expect at the Winter Festival

By Parent Association Co-chair, Sara Chovan

 

Please be seated at the church across the street by 10:15 or 10:20 am

Festival begins at 10:30 am, and will run until about 11:45 am.

School ends at noon, and there is no aftercare or extended day program.

 

This Friday’s Winter Festival is a musical feast! The program is designed to include all students in all the grades, which is why it is held during the school day. If it is possible to be part of the audience for this festival, it is a wonderful opportunity to see the students shine through the grades. Students enjoy the morning because it is a chance to sit and watch each other, and also because it is the last day before a long school break!

 

The students are asked to dress festively for this morning. This means something other than jeans and a t-shirt. This dress code does not require anything new or fancy, just a bit different than typical school attire. Some students take the opportunity to dress up.

 

Parking for this festival can be a challenge. There is street parking, but there is a limit to the hours you may park on Nicollet. Blaisdell Avenue does not have an hourly limit. The parking lot is very full by 10:30 am, but is worth a try if you arrive between 10:00 and 10:15 am.

 

Arrive at the church to find a place to sit by 10:20 am.  The front pews of the church are all reserved for the students, and should be well marked by placards for each grade. Please do not bring food or beverages into the sanctuary space.

 

Each class will provide a song or performance, and there will be a number of additional performances by the middle school choir and possibly ensemble groups. The festival host will remind family members to refrain from taking pictures or video during the festival. There is often a single designated person taking photos at school festivals.

 

At the end of the festival, the audience is typically invited to sing as the students process out of the church with their teachers. After the students leave the church, families are asked to come to the school and pick their children up outside the classrooms.

 

Parents often wonder about gifts for teachers and staff during this time of year. Some parents choose to bring in small gifts for their child’s teacher or other faculty and staff. Gifts are never an expectation, and a homemade item created with care by a student is often cherished.

 

While saying goodbye to the school for the long break, gather snow boots and snow gear, as well as any outside clothing that has been left in cubbies or in desks. Be sure to also check the lost and found on your way out. It is so easy to forget about stray hats, mittens and scarves!

 

I hope your family is able to enjoy time together, rest, and relaxation during this winter break.