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Holiday feast offers a Janesville school a sense of community

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Wilson Elementary School third-grader Natalya Thornton enjoys some pasta at the school's holiday family meal Tuesday.

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Wilson Elementary School fourth-grader Rea Davidson, front right, is served dinner by Janesville School Board members and district administrators during a holiday family feast at the school Tuesday. Assisting at the meal are, from left, Marge Hallenbeck, director of at-risk and multicultural services; Sandra Ardrey; school board member Greg Ardrey, and school board member Tim Cullen.

JANESVILLE — The power of happy thoughts filled Wilson Elementary School on Tuesday night as parents, children and staff members joined in a holiday feast.

“Smiles,” said Janesville School Board member Greg Ardrey when asked what he was seeing as he scooped pasta on the serving line.

Principal Becky Bicha said she was expecting that well over 350 moms, dads and children would attend Wilson Family Night.

“It gets us more involved in the school and our kids,” said mother Stacie Callahan as she ate with her children. “It’s a bonding moment between parents and our children.”

“I think it’s great for parents to see each other, too, and build relationships,” said mother Michelle Genthe.

Michelle’s son, Jakob, 7, said kids in school were excited. Why?

“The Santa part,” he said.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were there. Kids lined up in the hall with their parents, waiting their turn to get their photos taken with the famed bringers of Christmas joy.

Santa, who is visiting Wilson for the second year in a row, said he visits lots of schools but is impressed with “the genuineness of the hugs and smiles we get from the children here—just fabulous.”

Jamie Maurer, mother of two small boys, waited her turn in line to see Santa with her two boys.

“It’s nice to see all the kids and families. We can do something as a family for once, Maurer said.

Kids also took turns at holiday activities, from making “reindeer food”—a combination of oatmeal and glitter—to coloring, making a personalized book out of a sandwich bag, ornament making and cookie decorating.

The evening was different from previous years’ holiday activities because the school had special visitors who volunteered their time.

School board member Tim Cullen said school boards over the years have had a holiday dinner together, paid for by the superintendent. This year, new Superintendent Karen Schulte “suggested the board do something for somebody else,” Cullen said.

So the school board, along with the district’s top administrators, served food to the families.

As families ate and school officials served, Wilson librarian Sylvia O’Connor played her harp in the corner, adding a peace-on-earth feeling to the room.

“The students have been so excited about this all week,” O’Connor said.

Bicha said a person who wants to remain anonymous donated the money for the feast. Parents were asked to contribute $2 per family.

“We push a lot of service learning here, giving to others,” Bicha said. “This is kind of a nice way we are giving back to our families.”