In Our Schools: Dec. 19

Brookfield Academy

A seminar focusing on pre-kindergarten through level five will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in Liberty Hall. Dr. Daniel Heischman, author of "Good Influence: Teaching the Wisdom of Adulthood," will be the keynote speaker. Breakout sessions on reading, writing and Singapore Math will be held. To register, send an email to seminar@brookfieldacademy.org or call (262) 783-3200, Ext. 143.

Brookfield East

The Student Council held its annual Kids' Night on Dec. 9. About 60 children attended the event, at which they were able to play games, watch movies, go to the home basketball game, and do arts and crafts. There was a donation basket for Children's Hospital. Parents kindly donated more than $350.

Brookfield Elementary

Students are enjoying the spirit of the holiday season with generosity and entertainment. On Friday, Marines picked up two extra-large boxes of toys donated by school families to the Young Executive Club- and Daisy troop-sponsored toy drive for Toys for Tots. On Tuesday, music will fill the air as the fourth- and fifth-grade band, orchestra and chorus entertains friends and family with the sounds of the season at the Winter Concert.

Burleigh Elementary

Staff and students will join in the annual all-school sing-along at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the large gym. Parents are welcome to get into the action as well.

Dixon Elementary

The fifth-grade chorus spread some winter cheer via a short tour of Brookfield on Monday. They kicked the tour off at Brookfield Square in front of Boston Store. The second stop was the Congregational Home at Lilly and Burleigh roads, and the trip ended with lunch at Chuck E. Cheese's. The chorus, under the direction of Scott Malcom, sang selections such as "Winter Fantasy," "Dona Nobis Pacem," "This Little Light of Mine," "Winter Jam" and "Beautiful Winter." The fifth-grade chorus, 51 children strong, enjoyed taking part of this yearly tradition.

Pilgrim Park Middle School

The music students are concluding the calendar year with several tremendous performances. Orchestra and chorus ensembles performed at the Wilson Center on Monday and Tuesday, and the Panther band students performed at the school Wednesday. Music students will end the week performing for their peers at the annual Pilgrim Park Holiday Assembly.

St. Dominic

The Advanced Strings students visited the Hartland Terrace Assisted Living Facility to spread some Christmas cheer and perform a concert for the residents.

St. John Vianney

St. John Vianney Parish has a twinning relationship with Prince of Peace Parish on the near south side of Milwaukee. On Dec. 14, the SJV fifth-graders were warmly welcomed by the Prince of Peace fifth-graders. The classes united to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The two school groups attended Mass together at Prince of Peace, exchanged Christmas cards and shared breakfast. The SJV students were able to meet their Prince of Peace pen pals and complete some Christmas activities together.

St. Mary's Visitation

St. Mary's Visitation graduates Ellen Chamberlin and Mark Bodalski returned this week to speak to students about leadership, teamwork and encouraging those around you to be their best. Chamberlin and Bodalski, who are currently attending military universities, spoke to students during the monthly service assembly. Each month a different grade is in charge of leading the assembly and choosing a charity, and students in all grades help raise contributions for that charity. This month's recipient is Kids.org, which funds extracurricular activities for children whose parents are in the military reserves.

Swanson Elementary

Kindergarten students visited the Nature Center at Brookfield East. They explored the trails and looked for signs of animals. The students have studied trees and leaves, and the Nature Center was a great opportunity for them to use what they have learned. Participants had a fun time making wood cookie necklaces, finding artifacts on the trail and feeding the animals.

Tonawanda Elementary

The second-graders will present a holiday concert on Tuesday. On Thursday, all Tonawanda students and staff will gather in the gym at 1:30 p.m. for a holiday sing-along.

Wisconsin Hills Middle School

Michelle Simons' sixth-grade Read 180 class enjoyed best-selling science-fiction book "The Hunger Games" so much they wanted to read the second book in the series, "Catching Fire." Although Principal Robyn Martino offered to purchase the books, the students decided to take matters into their own hands. After much thought and planning, the class held a root beer float fundraiser. They needed $160 to purchase 16 books for the class, and raised $166.

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