Students are spreading joy, reflecting and anticipating as they move through the holiday season at East Lake Elementary School.
Kirsten Poveromo’s third grade class created a wreath of lights from a green hula hoop and string of white lights to brighten everyone’s spirits. Students completed persuasive writing pieces about where the wreath should be hung. After considering these thoughtful opinions, Principal Thomas McKillop and Assistant Principal Mary Velte selected the main lobby because it would be seen by all students there.
Fifth graders in Roseann Doherty’s class proudly displayed their holiday writing pieces in the hallway. They shared aspects of the holidays that bring them joy and also highlighted their family traditions. Students practiced writing strategies including use of descriptive language and transition words.
Looking ahead, Giana Ahern’s fourth graders created personalized 2026 calendars as a gift for their families. For each month, students drew a picture that reflects a family activity or tradition at that time of year.
Lauren Ahrens’ fourth grade class took part in a holiday STEAM challenge. At one center, students had to create a snowman by stacking three marshmallows without their hands. Instead, they had to use candy canes to get the marshmallows into place. Another center had them building holiday symbols out of blocks and Legos. On their Chromebooks, they solved a mystery puzzle to reveal a mug with a snowflake.
On Dec. 19, fifth graders from the handbell choir, under the direction of Dr. Gina Aspetti, performed in the cafeteria. They entertained East Lake students with holiday songs as they ate lunch.