NEW SALEM — Friday’s Community Sing at Swift River School tries to hit the right notes between fun and educational lessons.
For example, last week’s sing had music teacher Michael Cortina warming up the students with a playful song before turning to a more serious topic, how escaped southern slaves navigated to freedom with guidance from the North Star, also dubbed the Drinking Gourd.
“Mike does a fabulous job of picking the right music for what we need,” Principal Kelley Sullivan, noting each week’s songs have some seasonal significance. In having the students sing the American folk song “Follow the Drinkin’ Gourd,” as part of an effort to connect students with Black History Month during February.
“It’s a way to just bring our community together and celebrate one another, celebrate our school,” Sullivan said, in other words a chance to spread joy.
And it was clear that the Community Sing, a Friday morning tradition, was providing the school’s 172 students gathered in the cafeteria with a fun way to get ready for another day of learning. Children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade laughed and clapped with Cortina, who strummed a guitar and led students, educators, parents and guardians in song.
School officials said Community Sing dates back at least 25 years. The school opened in 1976.
Also, during this time where the school gets together as one, seven students were recognized for their achievements in the school’s 100-Mile Club and sixth-grader Avery Sorenson was announced as the winner of the school’s geography bee.
Community Sing lasts from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. each Friday.
You can reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 258.
On Twitter: @DomenicPoli