The annual winter program at Woodhull Elementary School did not disappoint, as all prekindergarten to sixth-grade students came together to perform an abridged version of the 1977 Broadway musical “Annie.” 

Students had been working on the show since October under the direction of music teacher Philip Tamberino, who also performed the accompaniment. 

“They did an amazing job and I’m so proud of all of them,” Mr. Tamberino said.

Ariel Vizcarrondo starred as Annie, an orphan growing up in the 1930s with other orphans (played by prekindergarten to third-grade students) in an orphanage run by the mean-spirited Miss Hannigan (Cailee Couch). When Miss Hannigan is coaxed into releasing Annie to billionaire Oliver Warbucks for the holidays by his private secretary (Olivia Asaro-Apsley), Annie is thrilled with her new home. Mr. Warbucks (Kingston Johnson) is unsure of what to do with a child at first, but, seeing Annie’s plight and resilient character, decides to offer a reward to anyone who can prove they are her parents. 

Meanwhile, Miss Hannigan’s brother “Rooster” (Jack Brennan) and his sassy girlfriend, Lily (Jerzi Swanson), hatch a plot with Miss Hannigan to pose as Annie’s parents to reap the reward and discard Annie along the way. With the help of the FBI and President Franklin Roosevelt (Jaxson Adams), Mr. Warbucks discovers Annie’s parents have passed away and decides to adopt Annie as his own daughter. He has Rooster and Lily arrested as frauds along with Miss Hannigan and takes in the orphans to live with Annie at his mansion.

The show was marked by memorable song performances, such as the raucous “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” featuring the younger students as Annie’s fellow orphans; the brassy “Easy Street,” featuring the sixth-graders as the Hannigans and Lily; the peppy “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here,” featuring Annie with the third-graders, Olivia Asaro-Apsley and Logan Nelson as Mr. Warbucks’ staff; the sweet duet “Together Again” with Annie and Mr. Warbucks; and the classic “Tomorrow,” first sung solo by Annie and later by the whole cast, closing out the show.

Recognizing the benefits of peer-to-peer education, this year Gabrielle Donovan’s sixth-graders have been taking time each week to visit Marialaina Appell’s and Jeanene Crawson’s pre-K and kindergarten students in their classroom and leading them in various activities. 

The practice helps the school’s youngest students become familiar with older role models and the school’s oldest students gain practice in leading and nurturing younger ones. Some of their activities so far have included doing puzzles, playing bingo, picking pumpkins, making American flags and cultivating the school’s tower garden.

Woodhull Elementary School students and staff came together to give thanks and celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving as they took part in a traditional feast celebration. 

During the event, each student and staff member said something they were thankful for as part of the event, as a special Thanksgiving wand made by the second-graders was passed around. The pre-K and kindergarten students added to the festive event by wearing turkey outfits they had made themselves. 

As a preview to the big day, all in attendance then joyfully enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal, consisting of turkey, vegetables and stuffing. 

Information on library hours, contents, computer system features, the inter-library loan system and how to obtain a library card.

Click here for more information

This link provides an overview of the district’s non-resident student enrollment program, including tuition rates and applications. 

Click here for more information

This is a series of materials, websites and guides aimed at helping parents navigate the Common Core Standards.

Click here for more information