Held indoors due to extreme temperatures, Ogden Elementary students and their families found the warmth on Dec. 9 for a night of holiday fun, including a light show and interactive activities.
Placed in charge of organizing the event, PTA President Kristina Aronshtein explained that her favorite part is bringing the whole community together.
“Its an opportunity to represent all the holidays for the kids that attend Ogden,” she said. “It’s not just for one holiday. It’s for winter as a whole.”
The night kicked off with a mini light show, which took place in the school’s gymnasium. Winter-themed inflatable decorations – snowmen, reindeer, and Santa – and signs with holiday-themed messages littered the path.
In the school’s auditorium, students enjoyed the holidays with hot chocolate and a cookie decorating station. Children displayed their creative skills with frosting, sprinkles, and Hershey Kisses.
The Hewlett High School Theater Department performed a skit titled “Sneezie the Snowman,” in which a snowman attempting to warm up on the holidays melts after drinking some hot chocolate.
Students took advantage of the decorative strips of paper on the walls, giving them an opportunity to write messages on the school walls
“It was very interesting to watch,” Principal Nicola Lynch said. “A lot of them are writing very positive messages about how much they love their school.”
During the holiday season, students had the opportunity to embark on a cultural project. Tasked with discovering more about their family history, students partnered up with fellow classmates, as well as members of other classes to share their findings.
“It was amazing that students found they could connect with different students that they never met before based on their similarities of their culture,” Lynch said.
Also as part of the winter festivities, Ogden will welcome the High School Music Department for their “chorale tour,” singing familiar holiday tunes.
Families had the opportunity to sign up for $20, and walk-ins were accepted for an additional $5. The money will go toward future events at the school as they look to further fun opportunities for students.
Both Aronshtein and Lynch, who began serving the Ogden community in their respective roles before 2024, see the opportunity as a community builder.
Aronshtein, whose children are in the Hewlett-Woodmere school system, said the moment meant “a lot for her” saying the opportunity to host the event was “not just for [her] kids, but for their friends and the entire community.”
“The holiday lights is a long standing tradition at Ogden. Its something that brings our community together,” Lynch said. “No matter what holiday you celebrate, you are able to come here and feel like its home.”
