At the Hemlock School, Mrs. Katherine Riker led the first graders as they sang "Festival of Lights". Dressed in their holiday finest, kindergarten and first grade students at Garden City's Hemlock, Locust and Homestead Schools performed at their annual Winter Festivals during the week prior to the holiday recess. The students, under the direction of music teacher, Mrs. Katherine Riker, sang holiday favorites for attending parents, grandparents and siblings. "Our children have such personalities - they love performing!" commented Hemlock principal Audrey Bellovin. Indeed, it was all smiles and waves to loved ones as the children sang for their audiences. Each of the holiday programs at the three primary schools culminated in a group sing-along before Winter Festival guests joined their children for treats in their classrooms.

Best wishes to all from Garden City Public Schools for a happy holiday season and healthy and prosperous 2009!

There were no shy singers at Hemlock's Winter Festival when the first graders performed "The Twelve Days of Christmas" during the group sing-along with the audience. "...he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice. Santa Claus is comin' to town," sang the first graders at Hemlock's Winter Festival. "Twelve pipers piping..." -for the "The Twelve Days of Christmas," Locust students asked the audience members to join in as they sang. These first graders at the Locust School helped to keep time for their classmates at the Winter Festival. Choreographed by music teacher, Mrs. Katherine Riker, the students performed "Up on the Rooftop" as part of their holiday show.