The Magic of Holiday Programs over the Years

In the early years, the holiday season was celebrated with children gathering around a piano in the hall before school or on the center hall stairway and singing carols. Traditional Christmas Pageants were presented in the Little Theater. The month of December was also spent providing toys to less fortunate children.  Under the direction of Chester Preisser, children and their families made and repaired toys that were distributed at Denver fire stations.

Graland’s holiday programs are well planned with collaborative efforts among teachers in all disciplines to integrate classroom learning. In the 1960s and other decades, much emphasis was placed on the history curriculum for that grade level. For example, third graders enjoyed making and swatting at piñatas as part of their studies about Mexico, while fifth graders sang songs about the wassail bowl and the yule log with their studies of Medieval times.

In the 1990s, the more traditional Christmas pageants were replaced by annual winter holiday programs due to budgetary, religious, and multicultural concerns.

The recent holiday programs have continued to bring the spirit and joys of the holiday season through fun and festive programs highlighted by special themes at each grade level. This year, be sure to join the Winter Wishes assembly as Graland carries on the tradition of holiday celebrations.