CRESTVIEW — Parents of kindergarten students at Northwood Elementary School recently gathered to watch performing arts in action with a Christmas concert from all of the kindergarten classes.
Parents gathered in the school's gymnasium to see the children perform numerous Christmas songs, including "Frosty the Snowman" and "Silent Night" among other favorites.
The students even recognized the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah with "I have a Little Dreidel" song. Several students also read a line from an adapted version from "The Night Before Christmas" poem.
Karey Estingoy was happy to see her 5-year-old daughter, Amelie part of the program.
"We feel really fortunate to come to the Northwood Arts and Sciences Academy, they are really putting an emphasis on the arts," she said. "We really care about the arts."
The emphasis comes from the school's new principal, Dr. Donna Goode, and installing a new arts curriculum for students at the school.
This school year introduced students to drama, dance and music in the arts and sciences academy.
Goode said Thursday morning's concert was a step in the right direction.
"Our goal is to give every child the opportunity to perform," she said.
Kindergarten teacher Missy Holley was proud of all of the students.
"They all worked really hard on this," she said. "They have been practicing since we got back from Thanksgiving (break)."
Holley said the performance brought out an emotional response in some parents.
"One dad said it brought tears to his eyes," she said. "As successful as this was, we will do it again."
One of her students, Parker Slade, 6, said he enjoyed singing "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" for the crowd and a few of his family members.
In addition to seeing her grandson sing, Sue Fernandez also enjoyed watching all of the children perform.
"It was cute," she said. "You always get a surprise, when you see them perform," she said.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwood Elementary continues to make strides in arts with student Christmas performance