As my first year of being a Board Member comes to an end, I spent the month of December visiting many wonderful events and celebrations with the staff and students of Tombstone USD. Although I was not able to attend all events, I did have an opportunity to see the wonderful talents of both teachers and students.
When Christmas is just around the corner students still had responsibilities to fulfill. The students on the basketball teams and, of course, the cheerleaders filled their hours after school with practices and games. During December, I watched both girls and boys play basketball at the high school. The determination and tenacity of the students was visible. As I have tried to attend several games throughout the season, I have seen the improvements by the players. Although, they aren’t winning every game, they aren’t giving up and the tenacity, determination, and sportsmanship is visible. The Cheerleaders are proudly shouting with cheer of support and encouragement for their team. The coaches’ guidance and direction is proving to be positive influences on the players.
The High Schools Choir and Band performed wonderfully at the Tombstone High School Christmas Concert. The students were nicely dressed and sang a variety of songs. The Christmas songs brought me in the Christmas spirit. It was an especially nice way to start the month. I can see the efforts made by Mrs. Garcia, the Music Teacher to produce a program enjoyed by all in attendance. My personal goal next year is to invite more of the community.
I was not able to attend the Christmas Concert at Huachuca City, because I attended the AZ School Board Association’s (ASBA) Annual Conference. The notes of what I learned are in a separate posting.
Upon my return from the ASBA Annual Conference, I had the pleasure to see over 55 guests attend the luncheon where Kids Hope USA mentors were given a chance to meet the parents of their mentee. See Kids HopeMentor/Family Lunch at Huachuca City - December 17, 2011 blog post for a copy of the letter I sent to the editor of the local newspapers.
On December 20th, we had the ground breaking ceremony for the Solar Energy Project the Board approved earlier this year. See article in the Sierra Vista Herald.
December 21st was reaffirmed for me how important it is for us to have a stage and a sound system for our students to express themselves through the talent I witnessed at the Tombstone High School Talent Show. Students sang and danced and the MC moderated with humor and enthusiasm. I am especially grateful to Mrs. Garcia, the Music Teacher, and her family for the time devoted to the students of Tombstone during and after her work day. Giving the students the opportunity to explore their musical talents is one of the best ways to keep them off the streets and out of trouble.
Christmas Around the World at Huachuca City was a trip to remember. As a child growing up in Chicago, I visited the Museum of Science and Industry many years to see the Christmas Around the World display where Christmas Trees were decorated for the Country they represented. As a teacher, I took my students on the very same field trip for them to learn how Christmas is celebrated in other Countries. Arizona Museums don’t have Christmas displays like I, and many of my students, enjoyed. However, the students at Huachuca City have teachers who brought the Christmas celebrations from different Countries to life. Students visited the different classrooms where they learned about the Christmas ornaments, songs, foods, crafts and stories from Germany, Australia, France, Ital, Russia, and the Ukraine.
The grand finally of December celebrations was the Winter Program performed by the students at Walter J. Meyer, on December 22nd. The cafeteria was full with parents, grandparents, and other family members and friends. Traditional songs of Christmas and a couple of modern songs I had never heard before, like the 12 Days of Christmas with an Arizona desert theme, were song by students with great joy and excitement. The students’ skills of organization, timing, and self-discipline were evident in the choreographed performances. The teachers are to commended for the efforts they put into the practices for such a wonderful program.
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