C AN ON - MAC SC HOOL DI STRI C T N
Canon-Mac
Cecil Elementary’s Christmas Around the World
ews
May the Bell Still
Ring for all Who
Truly Believe
O
n Christmas Eve, a young boy lies
in bed listening hard for the bells of
Santa’s sleigh, which he has been told by a
friend does not exist. Later that night, he is
startled, not by the sound of bells, but by a
very different sound. He looks out his window and is astounded to see a giant steam
engine parked in front of his house! The
conductor invites him aboard the train, The
Polar Express, which is filled with children
on their way to the North Pole. So begins
this wondrous journey, not only for the boy
in the story, but also for your children.
On Dec. 19, the second-grade students at
First Street Elementary School were invited
on a dream-like journey to the North Pole.
The students wore their pajamas to school.
In the morning, they worked on some educational holiday activities. After lunch, they
gathered together to watch the movie, “The
Polar Express.” They were served hot cocoa
“as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars”
and chocolate chip cookies. They received a
gold ticket and a souvenir bell. It was a magical experience for all.
Top left, pictured at Pajama Day in Mrs. Sharpnack’s and Mrs. Eismont’s classes are, from left:
front row - Joseph Serafino, Landon Holley, Baylee McMillan; seated - Colin McKain, Logan Johnston, Lola Taylor, Kendall Brownlee, Sydney Zdilla, Emma Johnston, Alyse Heirendt, McKenna
Smith; kneeling: Evelyn Leasure, Justice Brown, Noah Griffith, Zach Johnson, Adasyn Yoest,
Emma Bridge, Cassandra Carson, Ian Bailey, Jacob Drazick, Logan Marshall; standing: Hunter
Jordan, Carter McGowan, Brenda Krut, Victoria Bartuccio, Aiden Campbell, Sydney Dawson,
Sahara Miller, Nick Berbach, and Anthony Styperk; back row (standing against the chalkboard) Matthew Spalding, Dennis Fleeher, Alexander Shank, Brianna Stonemark, and Brooke Nagy.
Top right, making Japanese origami candy canes are Mrs. Sharpnack’s students, Alyse Heirendt,
left, and Emma Johnston.
Bottom left, working on “Polar Express” activities in their pajamas are, clockwise beginning at
front on right: Madelyn Barch, Delaney Nunley, William Fenimore, Gwyneth Vogt, Maadhav Muthukumar.
S
tudents in Mrs. Ashley Sharpnack’s and Mrs. Aimee Eismont’s classes at Cecil Elementary
School traveled on the Polar Express
to experience the various traditions
celebrated all around the world. Besides learning about their traditions,
the students also created a craft and
sang traditional songs to go along
with the country they visited.
The students began in America
talking about the familiar traditions of leaving milk and cookies
for Santa and decorating a pine tree
with lights and ornaments.
Next stop on their trip was Australia. Santa’s reindeer get to take
a break while six kangaroos pull
his sleigh to deliver the presents.
They didn’t stay long because it is
summer there and it is hot. During
Christmas, families eat their Christmas dinner on the sandy beaches.
Off to Japan! Christmas is more
for grown-ups and considered a
romantic holiday in Japan. They
learned about the paper craft of origami, and made their own origami
candy canes.
In Liberia, Africa and Mexico,
their traditions are similar with
carols being sung as families walk
through the streets. The students
searched high and low on the
Christmas tree for a pickle ornament
while in Germany. One of the last
stops, Brazil, ended the trip with
fireworks.
The students made their final
stop right in their very own school
where they celebrated the last day
before break with pajamas and
watching the “The Polar Express”
movie where they celebrated the
true spirit of Christmas.
Keep up-to-date on news about
Canon-McMillan School District!
Go online to:
www.cmsd.k12.pa.us
Click on: District
Click on: CM News
Click on: Highlights
You’ll find more stories and
photos about the work
going on in CMSD.
Check it often!
Canon-Mac | Spring 2014 | icmags.com 39