The first-graders at Monroe Elementary School performed their holiday program in front of a packed house last Friday. At this time of year, almost every child in almost every school in the area is involved in a holiday program.
Kairo Pullum and his first-grade classmates go through their routine during their holiday program, 'Christmas Around the Clock.'
JANESVILLE — Santa was wearing a camouflage T-shirt.
Mrs. Claus had pink shoelaces and strawberry blond hair.
Neither looked hardy enough to live at the North Pole, but it was only a rehearsal, so it was hard to be critical.
All over the country, school children are getting ready for—or recovering from—school holiday programs.
It's an annual tradition, where even children who are not your own become irresistibly cute.
Last week at Monroe Elementary, first-grade students wowed families and teachers with a show so good critics—if they were there and if they were parents—would have called it a Tony Award contender.
Sure, actors occasionally waved at the audience, wiped their noses with their sleeves, whispered to each other or said, "Ouch!" when they jumped off the bleachers. But overall, the show was a stunner.
After the show, a grinning Harry Kubiak, son of Harry and Karen Kubiak, talked about his role in the show.
His line was: "And just then, it happened that Santa stepped in from the cold."
He practiced with his mom, and was especially happy that his dad, who is working in Tennessee, got to come to the show.
Was he nervous?
"Nooooo," he said, still smiling.
Maddie Kuhlow shyly repeated her line as she glued sparkly things to her holiday worksheet.
"Make sure the chimes ring no matter what you do."
The lovely Lauren Shanks, one of the first-grade singers, had no comment for the press.
At Adams Elementary School, students still are rehearsing for Wednesday's show.
On Monday, music teacher Elizabeth Brockwell was leading nearly 80 kindergarteners through their paces.
It was a surprisingly organized affair. Elves and trees switched places in front of the microphones with little confusion. Santa and Mrs. Claus made their entrance on cue—more or less.
And here's something really impressive: The kids in the chorus sat quietly—more or less—while the soloists and children with speaking parts performed.
Imagine: A mob of 5- and 6-year-olds sitting quietly.
"You did a good job being quiet while the other friends were speaking," kindergarten teacher Miss D'Anna Blumer told them. "I think you should give yourself a pat on the back."
In unison, the kids all reached over their shoulders and gave themselves pats.
But holiday shows aren't all about songs and self-esteem.
"There are different state standards for music for the different grade levels," explained Adrian Farris, music teacher at Monroe and Adams elementary schools.
Melody, rhythm and following a conductor's lead as well as performing, copying and following along as a group are just a few of the standards.
With that in mind, Farris and Brockwell can pick from already prepared shows or create their own.
Surprisingly, neither said they had trouble navigating the church/state divide.
"I pick more of a winter-type theme," Farris said.
At Monroe, the show was "Christmas Around the Clock," and featured a group of ne'er-do-wells who wanted to stop Santa from making his rounds.
"Most of the shows have a life lesson," Farris said.
At Adams, the story is about Christmas trees competing to be Santa's tree.
Grace Eldridge, the kindergartener playing the littlest tree, explained:
"It's about love and being with family."