Tis’ the season for … Winter School Concerts
December 13, 2021 News Story
Prairie Rose School performs Nutcracker
Students in Winnipeg School Division are busy singing, dancing, playing instruments and filming their holiday concerts for friends, family members and guardians.
Continuing Covid-19 restrictions have impacted how traditional holiday concerts are performed, so teachers and staff are getting creative! The show must go on and Holiday Concerts are happening despite being unable to gather for live in-person events.
Prairie Rose School is one of many schools in WSD that is going digital. Students in Nursery to Grade 6 will be performing a mini-Nutcracker musical for their 2021 Holiday concert.
Mara Higham is the Early Years Music Specialist at Prairie Rose School and is trying to keep the consistency and experience the same for students and guardians this holiday season.
“Before Covid-19 we would always have our concert in the gym. We are recording in the gym today, as well each classroom has their own piece to add to the concert.”
Higham has ensured her students follow all Covid-19 restrictions outline by Manitoba Public Health.
“We’re filming students doing dances, they’re singing and still wearing their masks social distanced so we are making sure we are following the Covid-19 precautions.”
Despite students not being able to have similar holiday concerts compared to previous years Higham is seeing excitement in student’s eyes and faces as they prepare.
“They are really excited, and getting back to a little bit of normal compared to last year. They are excited to be producing something and sending it home.”
Higham describes her favourite part of the concert being all the students dressed up and ready to record.
“Because they look so cute in all their little costumes,” she says. “It’s always so busy for me but the result is just so great. The families all being a part of it, they love it and I love it. It’s just such a great feeling.”
In the current digital age individual student safety in WSD remains top priority. Precautions are in place to ensure every child is protected. Schools that are having digital Holiday Concerts will be shared with families via direct private links. Teachers are encouraged to keep group sizes small and distribute videos to classroom guardians over the entire school.
