On Wednesday, the students of Nakusp Elementary School treated a capacity crowd to a wide variety of holiday entertainment. Each group had a different theme and celebrated different elements of the season. The kindergarten and grade one classes performed a “Christmas Alphabet” series of readings, dressed in a variety of festive outfits—reindeer, elves, and even Christmas trees paraded across the stage. Their theme was Christmas celebrations from around the world and from other cultures; singing “Feliz Navidad” rounded out their part of the program.
The grade four and five classes brought out the grass skirts and leis for some Hawaiian Christmas fun. The entire group played “Jingle Bells” in unison on the ukulele, with acting Principal Walter Posnikoff accompanying with his own skills on the ukulele as well. Students then really got into the spirit of things as they danced to “Mele Kalikimaka.”
Next up was a short play by the grade three class: “Willy Claus.” It tells the story of the little son of Santa Claus. Another quick set change enabled Santa’s sleigh to be pulled around the stage for their part of the program.
In a change of pace, Mrs. Boswell’s kindergarten class partnered with the grade six class for a tribute to John Denver. They read the poem “Alfie the Christmas Tree” and sang “To Be Wise,” with the older students standing behind the younger ones. Some had their hands on the shoulders of the kindergarten students lending a feeling of family and closeness.
Bringing some cultural balance to the program was the grade three-four presentation of a First Nations-themed segment, with a variety of regions of Canada being represented. Small groups of students described how various First Nations groups would thank “mother earth” for the things they needed.
Concluding the night, the grade seven group presented a “live trailer” for their play “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” The main performance will be at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, December 20 at the Bonnington Theatre. They described the pageant as a “play within a play” about some misbehaving kids. From what we saw, it looks like a humorous take on Christmas and will feature some very entertaining characters.
This was the first NES Christmas program in two years. Last year’s program did not take place due to the teachers’ strike; teachers were not leading any extra-curricular activities during that time. Many parents were encouraged to attend the dress rehearsal earlier in the week to lessen the crowds at the main performance, but it was still a packed house for the evening show.