"Celebrating The Holiday Season"

The Holiday Season at Vilseck Elementary School is filled with a variety of activities in which students participate. Our location in the country of Germany provides our students with many cultural opportunities that are not readily available to students in the United States . The Holiday Season is also a time for sharing. Join us as we showcase some of these activities.

"Gift boxes for Poland " was a VES student project that provided gifts for needy children in the country of Poland . These items were collected by our students and staff and transported directly to a distribution point in Poland . Our driver and two of our teachers accompanied the gift boxes and provided us with feedback upon their return to school. Read the THANK YOU letter from Poland

Later in Poland........

"Thanksgiving" was celebrated by our Kindergarten students who dressed up and participated in a Thanksgiving meal.

On the day before Thanksgiving, turkey and dressing was provided during the regular lunch time as a special treat for our students. The PTSA purchased turkeys and with the assistance of the food service employees all students and staff enjoyed this special treat. As is our custom, a member of our military community was invited to assist the Principal in the cutting and serving of the turkey. The turkey and dressing were in addition to the regular AAFES meal.

To brighten up the atmosphere at the Rose Barracks Dining Facility on Thanksgiving Day, some of Vilseck Elementary School students' artwork was selected by the Dining Facility staff and displayed during a special meal for the soldiers, their families, and the community on Thanksgiving Day.

The Host Nation teachers instruct our students in German Christmas traditions. One of these activities involves making Christmas ornaments.
The Christmas tree that is setup in the school foyer is decorated with student ornaments by the Host Nation teacher in traditional German style.

Students who attend Art Class had an opportunity to make Holiday cards for deployed soldiers in Iraq . It is quite possible that these cards will be read by their own deployed parent or family friends.

AFN came by one morning looking for young children who were awaiting a visit by ole Saint Nick. VES was pleased to provide them with several students to interview. The Christmas tree decorated with ornaments the children created was the perfect background.

Gingerbread Houses in Second Grade.

Ornaments in First Grade.

Second Graders Enjoy the Season, too.

	Do You think these Ginger Bread Houses in Fourth Grade will make it home without missing parts?

Vilseck Elementary School again sent a holiday "Video Postcard" greeting to deployed parents. Short videos were made of classes and sent via email to the students' parents. Positive responses were received from family members deployed in Iraq.

Our school PTSA also invited families in the community to come to our school and make a personal "Video Postcard" to send to their loved ones.

The Vilseck Elementary School Music Club performs at a local German school,

to the enjoyment of the Jahn Schule students and staff.

Also the Music Club along with our Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Graders performed a "Holiday Program" for the students, staff, family, and friends at Vilseck Elementary School. The PTSA made a DVD of the program for students to send to their deployed parents.

The "Jingle Bell Jog" was an opportunity for over 100 students and family members to wear "the Santa hat" and jog around base. The PTSA was involved in making the hats available to the students.

Hope you enjoyed this sampling of the Holiday Season at Vilseck Elementary School in Germany.

Best wishes for an enjoyable holiday season wherever you are.