Christmas-themed teacher appreciation week
As the Christmas holiday approaches, students of SMIC-I enthusiastically decorate the rooms, hallways, and locker rooms with ribbons, stockings, and snowflakes. While the students enjoyed a class party complete with Christmas music, delicious food, and holiday spirits, the teachers had an entire week full of exciting events.
On the first day of Christmas Week, December 17, teachers were welcomed by the school with homemade apple cider at the MHS clock in area. On Tuesday, they were given warm hot chocolate in the frigid morning, and began decorating their own Christmas ornaments for the grand tree that stands in the lobby entrance. This has become an annual tradition, and ornaments from the previous years artfully finished by teachers still remain on the tree, colorfully illuminating the entrance for incoming guests.
Ornament decorated by one of the teachers at SMIC-I for the Christmas Teacher week. Photo Courtesy of Tomoko Hasegawa
Wednesday, December 19, was a fun day for all teachers. They had come to school donning their best ugly Christmas sweaters and joined together for a party in the afternoon. The party consisted of food, drinks, and holiday music. On Thursday, teachers gathered in the auditorium afterschool to enjoy a screening of “A Christmas Story,” a classic film about the humorous story of a young boy’s attempts to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift. During the lunch recess on Friday, December 21, the faculty and staff got together for Christmas Caroling in the MHS lobby. Nevertheless, all that took part in it seemed to have a memorable time. In the evening, many of the teachers stayed to watch the Winter Concert. On Christmas Eve, teachers exchanged Secret Santa gifts, and attended a performance hosted by the MS Drama students in the ES library.
Mr. Patrick Carroll, organizer of the teacher week, commented that “Each year, the week before Christmas Day would remind people to celebrate Christmas, and help them de-stress from all the schoolwork.”
Featured image-Teachers exhibited their artistic side as their decorated their own personal ornament for the Christmas tree during teacher week. Photo Courtesy of Tomoko Hasegawa
by Tomoko Hasegawa