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Hilltop first-graders host grandparents
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Hilltop Elementary School first-graders broke into small groups, class by class, to perform songs with movement, including dancing, hand clapping and skipping during the school’s annual Grandparents Day on March 17.
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Hilltop Elementary School first-graders, under the direction of music teacher Tom Scurich, performed the musical portion of the school’s annual Grandparents Day to a standing room only audience on March 17.
By ABBY SLANKER
Hilltop Elementary School first-graders invited their grandparents to join them for a special musical performance and a visit to their classrooms the school’s annual Grandparents Day on March 17. As the students entered the multi-purpose room to perform the musical portion of the day, they were met by their proud, excited and waving grandparents, armed with cameras, video cameras, iPads and iPhones.
“Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome and thank you for being here on this St. Patrick’s Day and Grandparents Day. Our first-grade students have worked very hard for weeks and months rehearsing this program for you. I think this is the largest crowd of grandparents we have had. We would like to thank our first-grade teachers and, of course, Mr. Scurich for all their hard work, too. We are glad you are all here and please enjoy the program and have a great day,” said Joe Maroni, Hilltop Elementary School principal, as he welcomed the grandparents.
Maroni then turned the program over to Tom Scurich, Hilltop Elementary School music teacher, who was accompanied on the piano by Courtney Larson.
“Welcome everyone. I think we need an official waving session, so students wave to your grandparents and grandparents wave to your grandchildren,” Scurich said
Scurich started the program with the Pledge of Allegiance and was followed by the students singing their school song, Hilltop Elementary. The students then sang “You’re A Grand Old Flag” and “My Country ’Tis of Thee.”
Charn Creed, first-grade teacher, welcomed the grandparents and explained a bit about the program.
“As grandparents, your special grandchildren warm your hearts. Our first-graders have put together a special program for their guests to get away and travel the world. It will warm your heart and put a smile on your face. So sit back and enjoy your trip around the world. Let the adventure begin,” Creed said.
The students children broke into small groups, class by class, to perform songs with movement, including dancing, hand clapping and skipping.
With an introduction by Creed of the history of the songs which celebrated several places around the globe, the students sang the 19th century sea shanty of the Pacific Ocean, “John Kanaka;” the traditional coastal Irish song, “Rig a Jig Jig”; “Draw a Bucket of Water” from the Georgia Sea Islands and “Circle Round the Zero” from the streets and playgrounds of the inner city.
“Thank you for being a wonderful audience and being so supportive of our children. Music is everywhere and movement is an important part of music. Music contributes to the development and growth of the students and they have had a lot of fun learning these songs and we have had a lot of fun working with the students. And as you can tell we have lots of laughs. Thank you also to the first-grade teachers. They have been a big help,” said Scurich.
Scurich then invited the audience to participate in the program.
“We would now like to invite you to join us with a little audience participation,” Scurich said, as he asked the grandparents to join the children in a round of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”
He gave the audience a chance to warm up before the actual round.
The students and audience then sang the round and when it was finished, Scurich and the children applauded the grandparents, and grandparents heartily applauded the students.
The students received a standing ovation from their very special audience after concluding the program with “God Bless America.”
After the program, the students and their grandparents took turns visiting the art room with art teacher Mrs. Leonard, the gym with physical education teacher Mrs. Magyar and their classroom to visit with their teachers. The students and their grandparents also visited the library with Mrs. Hockensmith to peruse and shop at the school’s annual book fair.