By Judith Roberts
Simsboro School is in the holiday spirit this week, starting off with a tradition that dates back to the 1960s: singing “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
Simsboro brings all of their students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade into the auditorium to sing the song. Each grade level has their verse of the song that they stand and sing when it’s their turn.
Kicking off the Christmas week festivities, Simsboro principal Lacey Holcomb said the kids and staff are excited to sing the carol every year.
“They know what to expect, and it’s something they look forward to each year because as they go up a grade level, they get to learn the next verse of the song and sing the new verse,” Holcomb said. “We have some kids who start here in pre-k and then they graduate in the 12th grade, so they look forward to being 12th graders and get to sing the 12 drummers drumming. They even bring pots and pans to drum.”
Not to be outdone, some of the lower grades bring props, too, she said.
“In seventh grade, they always wear swan hats to go with their verse,” Holcomb said. “Some grade levels bring stuff, and some just bring their loudest singing voice.”
Staff and administrators work together during the week to do reindeer games for the elementary students, produce a Christmas program and an art walk for all of the students.
“There’s something every day and for every age,” Holcomb said. “We have a lot of fun with the kids this week, and it’s really a time for us to build relationships with them and just enjoy being together. So it’s a good week for us to all bond and spend time together.
“I remember when I started here nine years ago and my first time witnessing ‘The 12 Days of Christmas.’ It just gave me chill bumps because it’s such a special moment, and we’re all together singing this song and enjoying time together. It just shows how special our school is.”
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