On Friday, December 3, the joyful sounds of children’s voices filled the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Kavli Theater, as Viewpoint’s Primary and Lower School students presented their holiday program, “Together at the Holidays.” Our Head of School Mark McKee welcomed our families to the safe return of a cherished Viewpoint tradition and gave special thanks to our teachers and staff for their boundless energy, dedication, and talent.

With enthusiastic and heartfelt performances from each of the classes, as well as the Primary and Lower School Choruses and Dancers, and the Advanced Fifth Grade Strings, the audience delighted in the spirit of the season. In addition to song and dance, narrators from the Fifth Grade class shared holiday traditions practiced by cultures around the world and delivered Happy Holidays sentiments in eleven different languages.

Once again, Viewpoint’s dance teacher Gabrielle Brown, a former soloist with American Ballet Theater, choreographed a lively short piece from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, performed by Fifth Graders Lena Chakraverty ’29 and Finn Harrington ’29.

“The holiday program is a gift that we look forward to and treasure each year,” said Cathy Adelman, Head of Primary School. “From our Kindergarteners, first time on stage to our Fifth Graders poised and polished as they shared their family traditions, the growth is evident in our students. Our children make the holidays come alive with their expressive words, beautiful singing voices, and joyful dance.”

Claudia Antoine, Head of Lower School told the children how much we appreciated them and their incredible performances and asked that they take a bow. She added, “The teachers spent many hours planning, writing, and preparing this program so your children could shine, and shine they did. The logistical maneuverings of the students and the quality of their performances are a testament to our teachers’ dedication and talent. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”

The holiday program concluded with Viewpoint’s Giving of the Greens thoughtfully prepared by the VSSA. This annual tradition, in which each child receives a beautiful spray of greens, represents the School’s abiding belief in the continual growth of each student and the warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season.