A hand in holiday music

Around 60 Valley Stream South students brought some holiday cheer to Brooklyn Avenue Elementary kindergartners, first- and second-graders when they performed seven holiday songs in unique fashion on Dec. 17.

Instead of a traditional singing concert, South students in the American Sign Language class taught Brooklyn Avenue children how to sign the alphabet and spell their names. Youngsters then watched their favorite holiday songs performed through sign language. “This is a wonderful way for the high school and Brooklyn Avenue to enjoy and celebrate the season,” Brooklyn Avenue principal Dr. Scott Comis said. “The kids are exposed to multiple cultures. It’s quite an experience for them.”

Students in Kathy McCaffrey’s sign language class performed holiday classics including “The Greatest Time of the Year,” “All I Eant for Christmas,” “Rock Around the Christmas Tree,” “A Chipmunk Christmas,” “Last Christmas,” “My Only Wish,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” To keep the kids in the holiday spirit, South students also dressed up as elves and the Chipmunks. Senior Edward Ethridge donned a Santa Claus suit.

South Principal Maureen Henry said she enjoyed the performance, and was happy that her students could put some smiles on the face of Brooklyn Avenue students. “It’s so wonderful to build a bridge between the high school and the elementary school,” Henry said. “To see the wonder in the elementary school kids eyes and see my students put their presentation skills to good use, it’s great.”