By MARY C. BARCLAY
For the Athol Daily News
ROYALSTON – There’s always something a bit unusual taking place at the Royalston Community School, but any day of the week leading up the winter break – RCS Spirit Week – it’s worth a visit to see just how unusual things can get. The week featured a daily theme, a number of special guests, delicious foods, games, and as always, a lot of learning.
The building was decorated from top to bottom. The foyer featured a fabulous “Snowmen at Night” display. Some beautifully-colored gingerbread house cutouts, nestled into cotton “snow” decorated a hallway. A colorful display celebrated the complementary relationship enjoyed between staff and students.
The decorated door contest got a bit carried away, and well beyond doors. Kindergartners entered their room through a perfectly-sized “gingerbread house.” An entire wall took advantage of The Polar Express engine on the sixth grade door. Elves on Shelves, a deer hopelessly entangled in working holiday lights, a door of ornaments, and the iconic Whoville Tree rounded out the classroom doors – many doors featured faces of the students within.
In celebration of alliteration, there was Mustache Monday and Twinday Tuesday. Wednesday saw unique (but school appropriate) holiday wear – any holiday throughout the year – in the form of clothing, hats, jewelry, make-up, hair-dos, and accessories. The obligatory Ugly Sweater Day was Thursday, and Friday was PJs, blankets, and stuffed animals day.
Kindergartners and their sixth grade buddies made Christmas ornaments. Third graders were wrapping up their 12 Days of Kindness, demonstrating the behavior in school, and by recognizing a variety of community helpers. Fourth graders enjoyed a presentation by Youth Education Coordinator Jessica Tierney and the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust on Winter Pollinators.
The upstairs gang – grades three through six, rotated among various stations exploring winter holiday celebrations around the world on Wednesday. In grade three, Mrs. Linda Robinson explored Christmas in France, while in Grade four, Mrs. Rebecca Vincent celebrated St. Nicholas Day in the Netherlands.
Mrs. Marissa Coviello’s visitors to grade five, learning about Hanukkah traditions, discovered the thrill of gimel while playing dreidel. Mr. Brian Snell, in grade six, shared information on the winter solstice, and how it was – and is – observed in various cultures.
As Spirit Week drew to a close, the younger students, downstairs, enjoyed their annual excursion on The Polar Express, while upstairs, the older students celebrated Grinch day (although Grinchy behavior is NEVER acceptable at RCS!) with that classic movie.
Members of the Royalston Parent-Teacher Group (PTG) and many members of the community participated in making spirit week such a success. Staff and students made an effort to thank their guest presenters, volunteers for the various events, and those who provided refreshments throughout the week.