Drama and Chorus Clubs at Northside Elementary to Present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

December 6, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Northside Elementary School has added a Drama Club and Chorus Club to its after-school programs this year and these groups have been working hard during the first semester preparing for a special performance to be held Thursday, December 15 called “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

The presentation will take place at 6 p.m. that night in the NES gym and the community is invited to attend.

Two NES student cast members of the presentation, Kimber Davis and Jack Howard, recorded a public service announcement promoting the event for WJLE which can be heard at the link below

https://www.wjle.com/north-side-elementary/

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings, or “the worst kids in the history of the world.” The siblings take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale involving the Three Wise Men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids.

Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman are an awful bunch. When the Herdman’s show up at church for the free snacks and suddenly take over the Christmas pageant, the other kids are shocked. It’s obvious that they’re up to no good. But Christmas magic is all around and the Herdman’s, who have never heard the Christmas story before, start to reimagine it in their own way. Come watch as the Herdman’s learn about the meaning of Christmas.

The new clubs are part of the Lottery for Education or LEAP’s Program. The overall goal of LEAPs is to provide Tennessee students with academic enrichment opportunities that reinforce and complement the regular academic program. Although LEAPS is not new to the school district, it has been expanded this year to include these new clubs at NES. LEAPs activities are offered after school until 5:30 p.m. and the school has a Breakfast Club that meets before the start of the school day.

“Over 130 students at Northside Elementary School participate in the program which includes a breakfast club and afterschool classes,” said LEAP’s Site Coordinator Amanda Mathis. “The LEAPS schedule includes time for homework, support, a healthy snack, physical activity, and socialization. Participants also have regular opportunities to engage in enrichment activities connected to science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM). We believe these activities are important for developing curiosity, thinking, and fostering a love for learning,” said Mathis.

“LEAPs plays an important role in helping students develop positive relationships between students and their teachers and peers outside of the regular school day. Participants also benefit from academic support and opportunities to engage in fun, enriching activities in a safe, supervised environment. Together, these opportunities help students develop positive attitudes about learning and school,” Mathis continued.

“Family and community involvement are an important part of our program. The community is encouraged to come and see the performance of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” from our drama and chorus clubs on Thursday, December 15 at 6 p.m.,” added Mathis

For additional information about the program, please contact Mathis.

December 6, 2022
By:

Northside Elementary School has selected its Eagles of the Month

*Every month, each homeroom teacher nominates a student out of their class that consistently exhibits attributes such as being on time, uses their time wisely, takes accountability for their own actions and learning, is responsible, and is respectful to both adults and peers. These students meet all of our S.O.A.R. (Safe, On time, Accountable, Respectful) expectations, give 110%, and have a kind heart. They each received an Eagle of the Month certificate and yard sign. Northside is very proud of each student!

Eagles of the Month for November:
Pictured – from left to right: Luis Morales, Miller Williams, Jacob Gilley, Monse Beltrain Orelia

Luis Morales (5th grade) was chosen for being a great helper and a good friend. He works hard and is respectful.

Miller Williams (4th grade) was chosen for always striving to do her best at anything asked of her. She is helpful to other students and her teachers. She is respectful, polite, and wants to please.

Jacob Gilley (3rd grade) was chosen for being an exceptional student. He is always on task and is working without being asked. He makes an effort to help other students in the class. He is very respectful of his teachers and classmates.

Monse Beltrain Orelia (2nd grade) was chosen for being a very kind, responsible, and respectful student. She is always willing to lend a helping hand to both her peers and teachers. She gives her best effort, and she isn’t afraid to take on a challenge.

Eagles of the Month for December:
Pictured – from left to right: Miguel Galvan Ramos, Maria Narvaez, Jace Howell, Isabella Aguilar

Miguel Galvan Ramos (5th grade) was nominated for Eagle of the Month because he is always on his best behavior and tries his very best. He is very quiet and has shown so much growth this month. He recited a poem in front of this whole class!

Maria Narvaez (4th grade) was nominated for Eagle of the Month because she does anything that is asked of her by an adult. She is a hard worker, is friendly with her classmates, and is always prepared.

Jace Howell (3rd grade) was nominated for Eagle of the Month because he is an excellent student. He works hard, follows directions, and is always on task. He is a good friend to his classmates.

Isabella Aguilar (2nd grade) was nominated for Eagle of the Month for always being kind and friendly. She is a hard worker and always tries her best and always follows directions.

December 6, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Good citizens doing a good deed!

Eddie Ramos and Tara Hunt, operators of Kayaking Adventures of Tennessee were in town Saturday for the Smithville Christmas Parade. The next day they took it upon themselves to help clean up streets in the downtown square area from the leftover candy and debris.

The effort was part of the couple’s KAT Challenge urging communities to keep waterways clean.

Ramos and Hunt were at the city council meeting Monday night where Mayor Josh Miller and the aldermen thanked and applauded them for their work in bagging the garbage for city workers to easily pickup Monday morning.

Kayaking Adventures of Tennessee offers guided kayak trips to Burgess Falls in Sparta.

From that guides tours experience Ramos and Hunt came up with the idea for a KAT Challenge giving participants on the trips the option to carry along a bag provided by KAT to pick up as much trash as possible. The person who collects the most on the trip gets a shiny new KAT Challenge Button and their picture on the KAT website and on the KAT Challenge Page. All who participate also get a special shout-out on the KAT FB and Instagram pages for being protectors of our beautiful Tennessee waterways.

During Monday night’s meeting, Hunt said another KAT challenge is made during the fall and winter season.

“Right now we have the KAT Trash Challenge going on and what we are asking people to do is wherever they are in the United States, if they are in their towns, out hiking, or even paddling in the water to clean up all the trash they see around, bag it up, take a picture of it, post it to our social media and we will recognize them for their good work,” said Hunt.

Ramos said the downtown cleanup effort was not something he and Tara had planned.

“We didn’t know we were going to clean up the public square, “said Ramos. “We participated in the parade, and we threw out candy along with the rest of the people but that was littering for us, and we didn’t feel so good about it although I know the kids enjoyed it. The next day we drove through and saw the candy still on the sides of the streets with a chance of rain and we didn’t want it to get into the wastewater system and go into Center Hill Lake. We knew it wasn’t safe enough for us to stand on the sides of the streets and sweep it all up without someone helping us out because we didn’t have brooms and all that. When we drove through the public square and saw the trash there along with candy on the ground, we knew that was a safer place for us to do something so that is how cleaning the public square came about for us,” said Ramos.

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