Over the past two weeks, most Quad-Cities schools have celebrated the holidays in some fashion to keep their students engaged before winter break.
Several schools host annual concerts or Christmas recitals during this time, while many teachers or clubs sponsor themed parties. Others, however, took a more novel approach to pre-winter break engagement.
From life-like Elves on the Shelf to elusive gingerbread men, here's a look at how QC public school districts celebrated the 2024 holiday season.
Bettendorf
Last week, Mark Twain Elementary School students had an unexpected visitor around the halls: an adult-sized Elf on the Shelf named "Sugar Plum Giggleshoes."
Students spotted Giggleshoes, who looked eerily similar to Mark Twain's secretary Jenny Lavelle, perched at various spots in and around the school throughout the week -- a solid reminder that Santa has eyes everywhere.
People are also reading... Davenport couple charged with stealing thousands from Davenport Hy-Vee stores Milan restaurant up for sale, new store opens in Moline and new Quad-Cities businesses Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane files ethics complaint against Chris Cournoyer Iowa State coach Matt Campbell shares what he texted former quarterback Hunter Dekkers ahead of JUCO title game Former Iowa women's basketball player, broadcaster dies Davenport double-murder defendant asks to represent herself in upcoming Scott County trial Nine members of a Quad-Cities gang sentenced to federal prison Bettendorf man again sentenced in invasion of privacy case; appeals sentence again Former Iowa women's hoops coach Lisa Bluder details life in retirement, new venture Man killed in Clinton County shooting identified Prosecutor: Money motivation behind murders of Brian Goodwin and Amy Smith; trial set to start Jan. 6 After 8 surgeries, 23 days in intensive care with feeding tube - Eric Phillips is able to talk Where to see holiday lights in the Quad-Cities in 2024 Davenport police respond to Garfield student hit by delivery vehicle Resignations, hirings and other personnel news from Bettendorf School District for December
Bettendorf High School's Computer-Aided Drafting class had 36 students participate in a holiday ornament competition. The students designed and 3D printed their unique ornaments for a panel of 12 judges, ranking the following top designs:
1st place: "Bulb with Deer" by Ishika Motwani2nd place: "Gnome H" by Dayvanee Buikema3rd place: "Cup with Cane N Mallows" by Connor Purcell4th place (tie): "Spidey" by Zay Benevides and "Nana N Papa Snow People" by Aila Koivisto6th place: "Optimus Prime" by Jack Girskis7th place: "Ghost Busters Cyclotron" by Waylon Holst8th place: "Family Snowflake" by Elliott Davis9th place (tie): "Snoopy" by Mateo Surma and "Wrigley Field" by Aiden Hefty Davenport
Kindergarteners and fifth-graders at Buffalo Elementary School teamed up to build gingerbread houses, a school tradition ahead of winter break. Partnering up, the students worked together on structuring, frosting and sprinkling their gingerbread homes.
Students and faculty at Madison and Wilson Elementary Schools donned their best Grinch green to school last week, and some went all-out -- especially Wilson second-grade teacher Kelly Timmsen, who painted her skin green.
Also this month, North High School teacher Mike Van Hulle revived a heartwarming holiday tradition with one of his former students, Trevor Voss, who now teaches at Smart Middle School. When Voss attended North, the two wore festive sweaters to school each day in December.
"There is no greater joy as a teacher than seeing former students enter the profession. We both look a bit older, but our sweaters are still as beautiful as ever," Hulle said for a recent district photo-op.
East Moline
On Friday, Dec. 13, third-graders at Ridgewood Elementary School took a field trip to Adler Theatre in downtown Davenport to see the Nutcracker Ballet. This came as part of Ballet Quad Cities' educational matinée performances.
Glenview Middle School's mariachi band performed holiday songs and Christmas carols around the school last Friday -- sporting festive hats, sweaters and beads in place of their formal performance attire.
Moline-Coal Valley
Moline-Coal Valley students also went caroling last week, with Moline High School's choir visiting Bickford Cottage in Davenport and the Bicentennial Elementary School Student Council singing at Charter Senior Living Community in Moline.
Thanks to donations gathered district-wide over the past month, Moline High School's 75th annual "Share Joys" holiday fundraiser totaled $62,954 -- a new single-year record.
This year's Share Joys fundraiser allowed more than 350 district students to receive new winter clothes. Moline-Coal Valley elementary schools raised a combined total of $2,100. Logan Elementary School raised the most with $684.82 and will receive the special traveling trophy.
North Scott
Ed White Elementary students also had an elf visitor last week, who was coincidentally seen around the building only when Principal Carrie Lane was out of her office.
Alan Shepard Elementary students were met with an inflatable gingerbread man -- and later, a Grinch -- when entering school last Friday. The high school also hosted an open mic at its theatre last Friday, open to any students who wanted to showcase their talents and let loose before winter break.
Pleasant Valley
First-graders at Hopewell Elementary teamed up with their sixth-grade buddies to make traps for sneaky gingerbread men last week, part of a seasonal lesson for STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math.
High school athletes also greeted Pleasant View Elementary students with smiles, high fives and donations to their annual Holiday Giving Project, which will support World Relief Quad Cities and Tapestry Farms this year.
On Friday, Dec. 13, Bridgeview Elementary students gathered in the gym with their favorite books and blankets for a "Cozy Read" session by a virtual fire. After free reading time, Bridgeview Principal Megan Halverson led a read-aloud.
Rock Island-Milan
Superintendent Sharon Williams joined Earl Hanson Elementary School's annual winter program last week to narrate an interactive sound story, titled "The Snowy Day," as students played along with hand percussion instruments.
Earlier this month, Rock Island High School's Student Council held a fundraiser that doubled as a way to ignite younger students' holiday spirits. For $5, parents and community members could pay the Student Council to write and mail a letter from Santa to a child's home.
Each letter also came with a "Nice List" certificate.
United Township
The UT Music Department continued its tradition of inviting alumni band and choir members onstage to sing "Carol of the Bells" and play "Sleigh Ridge" and "Russian Christmas" last Thursday during the school's annual holiday concert. The school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes club also hosted a holiday-themed trivia party last week, featuring a $50 Amazon gift card as the grand prize.
UT's Student Council held a hat and mitten drive before school on Friday, Dec. 13. Those who donated a pair of mittens; a hat, scarf or a dollar received free hot cocoa, with all the fixings.
Photos: 4th Annual Christmas in the Village Celebration 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Want to see more like this?
Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Olivia Allen
Education Reporter
Author twitter Author email Follow Olivia Allen Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today