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DEDHAM —
The Riverdale School fifth graders were so prepared and excited for last Wednesday that it seemed like they were preparing for Christmas itself.
“It’s a fun filled night for the fifth graders,” said Theresa Brennan, a parent volunteer who helped organize the annual holiday festival at the school on Wednesday, Dec. 7. “We want to get them involved as much as possible and the kid’s have a really good time. It’s a good night.”
Brennan, who sold bags of mystery items in the dining area to large groups of excited children, has had three fifth graders at the Riverdale School over the years. The Riverdale School Holiday Fest, put on each year by the fifth grade class, enters planning stages in October. While Brennan said the kids are not involved in the planning, they do contribute considerably to the night itself, including both serving and cleaning up during the meal as well as performing a concert. This year, dinner featured pizza and pasta donated by the Irish Alehouse, School Committee member Mayanne Briggs.
“This is the fifth grade’s biggest fundraiser,” Mona Farrell said. Her husband spent the evening in the auditorium as Santa Claus, she added. “They’re leaving and going to middle school, so they all want to help put something together. Plus, tons of people volunteer.”
In between instructing excited fifth graders dressed in Christmas hats and dress shirts for the concert, Farrell also mentioned a few of the items that the class was selling during the evening, including baked goods, handmade crafts, and Riverdale School merchandise. Guests were also encouraged to participate in arts and crafts activities and get their picture taken with Santa before the concert. Proceeds from the fundraiser go toward all of the fifth grade’s field trips this spring, two of which are a trip to the Christa McAuliffe Challenger Center and a Boston Bruins game, Farrell said.
“It’s lots of fun,” said Lilly Pilat, after joining her fellow fifth graders in a quick post-dinner performance of “Feliz Navidad.”. Kayleigh Spencer, another fifth grader agreed.
“We would do this every night,” Spencer said, picking up a holiday cookie from the craft table. “The school does a lot for us and we’re very happy we could make it.”
The Riverdale School fifth graders were so prepared and excited for last Wednesday that it seemed like they were preparing for Christmas itself.
“It’s a fun filled night for the fifth graders,” said Theresa Brennan, a parent volunteer who helped organize the annual holiday festival at the school on Wednesday, Dec. 7. “We want to get them involved as much as possible and the kid’s have a really good time. It’s a good night.”
Brennan, who sold bags of mystery items in the dining area to large groups of excited children, has had three fifth graders at the Riverdale School over the years. The Riverdale School Holiday Fest, put on each year by the fifth grade class, enters planning stages in October. While Brennan said the kids are not involved in the planning, they do contribute considerably to the night itself, including both serving and cleaning up during the meal as well as performing a concert. This year, dinner featured pizza and pasta donated by the Irish Alehouse, School Committee member Mayanne Briggs.
“This is the fifth grade’s biggest fundraiser,” Mona Farrell said. Her husband spent the evening in the auditorium as Santa Claus, she added. “They’re leaving and going to middle school, so they all want to help put something together. Plus, tons of people volunteer.”
In between instructing excited fifth graders dressed in Christmas hats and dress shirts for the concert, Farrell also mentioned a few of the items that the class was selling during the evening, including baked goods, handmade crafts, and Riverdale School merchandise. Guests were also encouraged to participate in arts and crafts activities and get their picture taken with Santa before the concert. Proceeds from the fundraiser go toward all of the fifth grade’s field trips this spring, two of which are a trip to the Christa McAuliffe Challenger Center and a Boston Bruins game, Farrell said.
“It’s lots of fun,” said Lilly Pilat, after joining her fellow fifth graders in a quick post-dinner performance of “Feliz Navidad.”. Kayleigh Spencer, another fifth grader agreed.
“We would do this every night,” Spencer said, picking up a holiday cookie from the craft table. “The school does a lot for us and we’re very happy we could make it.”
