A Calendar of Festivals




These festivals are  connected to the cycle of the growing season and are also the theme of in-class Counseling sessions.  They add heart to the picture of the school year and provide a forum for presentation of artiistic endeavor.


An assembly attended by Kindergarteners and their parents and 5th graders who have been assigned a kindergarten “buddy”
A table decorated with silks,  3 empty vases with water and long-stemmed flowers.
A table of fresh fruit, cheese, crackers
A table of beginner books
A cellist plays as all enter and are seated.
The principal warmly welcomes all to the new school year and invites one teacher to the table who supervises as her class comes forward with 5th grade buddies who help them place a flower into the class vase.  The class then sits at the teacher’s feet.  After all 3 classes have filled their class vases, they leave with their teacher.  The 5th grade classes leave. The Family Resource Leader explains her role to the parents and invites them to stay for refreshments and pick out a new book for read aloud at home.


A Queen
A wooden sword
An assembly of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Graders.  The 1st and 3rd Graders perform a short piece from their morning circle with the theme of Courage. 
The Queen sits on her throne as a line of 2nd graders comes up one by one to kneel at her feet and be knighted with the words, “Go forth and do good deeds!”





A Dare to Care food drive with a box in each room
At the assembly:
A Giving Table decorated with harvest items, fresh flowers, silks
An acapella choir welcomes the whole school as they walk silently into the assembly, a few words from the counselor on giving.  Three classes perform a short piece.  A gift giver from each room brings one canned item from the food drive to the Giving Table.  More a capella  singing as the classes leave the assembly.
Later on in the day, popcorn and apple juice taken to each class.


The children make origami window stars and decorate the entire school with color and light.


In connection with the earthquake in Haiti, the children of Byck bring the beauty of the Haitian people into their rooms in the hopes of holding it for them while they are being rescued and repaired.  A week long money collection is held.  The classes write letters, make drawings to fill a “Hope Chest.”

A Festival of Hope
A whole school assembly. The children walk in to the sound of Haitian drumming, singing, dancing.  A table decorated with silks, flowers, and an empty “Hope Chest.”
Three classes perform/read poetry, one child from each class brings a contribution for the Hope Chest.  The Step Team performs a show of a whole year's practice. The children walk out to more drumming, singing, dancing. 
A small treat of dried pineapple for each child.

Plant, plant, plant.... So far just grass seed growing in a small dish offers the bright green that is food for the eyes!  The new life of this year's learning is delicate as the teachers begin reviews to prepare for the testing events coming up. It is a time of concentration and nurturing.

A Maypole, children wear flower crowns and dance the Maypole. Live music. Still in the planning.