More than 100 first graders at Cali Calm?ac Language Academy in Windsor celebrated the last day of school before winter break Wednesday by singing holiday favorites in four languages.
Students sang "Velitas de H?ukah" and "Arbolito de Navidad," in Spanish, "A Song of Peace" in sign language, "Spin a Little Dreidel" in English, and "Betelehemu" in the African language of Yoruba, among others.
Students dressed in traditional Nativity garb sang "Las Posadas" and staged a rendition of the celebration of Mary and Joseph's quest to find a place to stay for the night.
Other students donned costumes in the shape of the earth and one class sang a song in Spanish that was described as a promise to give parents at least four hugs a day.
"It's a celebration of cultures," first grade teacher Yvonne Baldenegro said. "We are talking about the languages, different costumes and celebrations."
First grader Leslie Olivera said dressing as an angel holding a candle while singing "Las Posadas" was the highlight.
"The best part was where we went like this" with the candles, she said, thrusting her fist in the air.
"It was not real candles," Alejandra Chavez reminded her.
Teacher Pedro De Luna kept the hour program moving and said it's become a tradition on the Starr Road campus to invite parents to the performance.
"It's a beautiful way to end this winter session and go into break," he said.
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