School news: Sounds of the season, meeting St. Nicholas

Amazing things happen in our schools every day — if you know where to look! Do you know some school news others would love? Let us know at [email protected].

Every year, seventh grade English students at O’Gorman Junior High School read “A Christmas Carol.” This year, the school teamed up with The Premier Playhouse to bring in Tom Roberts, who plays Scrooge in the on-stage version. It definitely made the story come alive!

Behold, the power of partnership. Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln donated a car to the auto tech department at CTE Academy! The dealership has been partners with the program in a variety of ways, and this newest gift will serve students for years to come.

Just in time for the snowfall: The outdoor classroom at John Harris Elementary, has been decorated for winter.

‘Tis the season! Band and orchestra students lined up before a Christmas concert at St. Lambert Elementary.

And it’s the first winter concert in a new school, as sixth through eighth graders took the stage at Ben Reifel Middle School.

These fourth graders from Anne Sullivan Elementary took the show on the road, singing for the mayor and the city of Sioux Falls team.

And that’s what you call a visit from St. Nicholas — on his feast day — at St. Lambert and Holy Spirit elementary schools.

Here’s a fun idea from Rosa Parks Elementary: December Bingo Blitz. To earn a bingo square, the class might have to have all students in their rooms on time, get a compliment from a specials teacher, have no problems at recess, leave the lunchroom clean, get their Dreambox lessons done, write a positive note to a custodian or send a video to their book donor. When a class gets a bingo, they can have 20 to 30 minutes of game time while their teacher can get some extra work done.

And finally, meet the newest Staff Star featured by the Sioux Falls School District. Ben Reifel Middle School’s Mary Kogel works in child nutrition and helps oversee more than 300 breakfasts and more than 800 lunches served daily, including stocking 400 apples and 120 pounds of strawberries, radishes, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, celery, carrots, pears and oranges on the salad bar to make sure students have healthy dining choices.