PUTNAM COUNTY
Gatewood Schools was full on Feb. 24, as first-graders presented their annual production to their families and friends.
First-grade teacher Julie Garber, who directed the show, explained that each year all Gatewood elementary-age classes have to prepare a production of some kind, in which they work together as a team.
This year, the kindergarten class did a Christmas show, the second grade is doing a wax museum, and the third grade decided on a science fair.
“We figured our kids like to sing and dance, so we chose a musical,” Garber said of selecting a play called “The Weather Show” since the first-grade curriculum includes learning a lot about the weather. “It's about a girl who's a meteorologist that loves the weather, and she has to get her ancient barometer for her weather collection.”
Garber said the performance was a team effort, and in addition to herself, the teachers involved were Brittaney Roth, Lisa Slaughter, Lori Daniluk and Amanda Andrews, with the last two in charge of props.
“The whole school came together and helped us,” Garber said. “The teachers made everything. Even our old phones, someone brought them in and we used the umbrellas. Simple, easy, and it worked well. And the kids … we just had them wear simple things.”
Garber said preparations took approximately two months, but she praised her student actors for working hard and sticking with it.
“We didn't have any after-school time, so we had to get all of our academics done and practice for a play. It was a lot of work for the kids, but they did amazing. They had a good time,” she added. “I was really nervous. I've never put production on before. But I hope we do it again because it worked out really nicely.”