There were Santa hats, and reindeer antlers; festive fascinators, and traditional Swedish wreaths crowned with paper candles.
Monday was Festive Hat Day at Fieldcrest Elementary School in Bradford, and not only students but teachers and staff dressed for the occasion, and the day’s Character Assemblies celebrating multiculturalism and the holiday season.
Classes performed holiday songs, or shared holiday traditions from around the world – traditions that ranged from Christmas and Hanukkah to Diwali, Ramadan, Kwanzaa and other festivals of lights, all of them celebrated in Bradford.
This is the final week before the winter break at elementary schools across the province, and more than one local school is hosting ‘Spirit Days’ to celebrate the season – inviting kids to don festive hats, festive sweaters or even cozy pajamas.
At St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, students have been coming to class in crazy Christmas socks, Christmas hats, ugly sweaters, and plaid all week long, all wrapping up on Friday with Red and Green Day.
At W.H. Day elementary, Spirit Week included wearing favourite sportswear, holiday attire, and even dressing up as a snowman.
Students at Fieldcrest were invited to wear their festive hats on Monday, their most festive sweaters on Wednesday for school carolling, and on Friday, their coziest Pajamas.
The 'carolling' at Fieldcrest included favourite winter-themed songs - and everyone in the assembly on Wednesday joined in a rousing rendition of 'Let it Go' from Disney's Frozen.
The winter break will see both Catholic and public elementary schools closed from Dec. 23 to Jan. 4, with kids returning to class on Jan. 6, 2020.
