Parish Elementary School first grade student Nyah Pinzer joins music teacher Michele Catania in leading the entire school in singing Deck The Halls. PES students spent the day before Christmas vacation participating in various quiet reading activities and then came together as an entire school community to sing Christmas carols.

Students at Parish Elementary School (PES) in the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District spent Friday, December 23, the day before Christmas vacation, enjoying the spirit of the holiday season and celebrating the importance of reading and literacy.

Coined as a Drop Everything And Read or D.E.A.R. Day, students along with faculty were invited to wear their pajamas to school and bring a snuggle buddy or stuffed toy from home along with a book.

The reading activities kicked off during morning announcements with the book The Night Before Christmas. Jingle Bells signaled several subsequent quiet reading times for students including a reading train that was formed in the hallway with all of the students in kindergarten through grade four.

Shortly after lunch the entire school gathered in the foyer of the building for caroling. Led by PES music teacher Michele Catania, the carols included Deck The Halls, Twelve Days of Christmas, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Silent Night.

Ending the special day was the traditional reading of Principal Michael McAuliff’s favorite book, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.

“Shhh… do you hear it? If you believe you will hear it.” This was Parish Elementary School Principal Mr. Michael McAuliff’s morning message to his students on the day before Christmas vacation. His message was alluding to his favorite Christmas book, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. He shared this book with the students at the school and is pictured above with PES kindergarten student Cooper Brouse who came to school wearing his very own jingle bell.