Throughout the month of December, Montclair schools, students and staff are spreading holiday cheer. Here’s just a sampling of some of the good deeds taking place.
On December 1, the Watchung Vocal Ambassadors were invited to Mountainside Hospital to perform at its annual Tree Lighting. The Vocal Ambassadors opened their set with an original song by their director Boyce Ennis, Santa Clause in Taking me for a Ride, followed by Up on the House Top and closed with Jingle Bells to a standing-room-only crowd. The audience was so excited about the Vocal Ambassadors' performance, the students performed an encore, another original by Ennis, which is soon become Watchung’s official School Song. The Hospital CEO, Tim O'Brien, along with all of the hospital Staff, told the students they did an outstanding job and can't wait to have them back again to perform at future events. Watch their performance.
In what has become an annual tradition, Hillside’s Traveling Troupe performed at CareOne skilled nursing facility on December 8. The fourth and fifth grade students danced and sang for the residents. In addition, the Traveling Troupe also performed at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and at a temple in Livingston.
House Lofrano at Glenfield Middle School hosted a “birthday” drive collecting items to assemble birthday cake boxes. The boxes included a pan, birthday cake mix, frosting, and candles. The box was completed with a unique birthday card handcrafted by the students. The students assembled the birthday kits to benefit the Human Needs Food Pantry as they were inspired to bring joyful celebrations to all kids in connection to their novel study. Pictured above, Glenfield teacher Megan Morgan and her daughter.