As winter gives way to spring each year, the Lower School celebrates the arts with two separate festivals. Kindergarten to grade 2 presented their musical and art show on Thursday, March 15, 2024, and later in May, grades 3-6 will celebrate with their own Arts Festival.

The K-2 Arts Festival began with an energetic musical tribute to hats — well, not exactly to the hats themselves, but to the brains beneath them. With “Hats! A Musical That Celebrates What’s Underneath!” hats of all shapes and sizes took over the stage as the students sang and danced a series of numbers and, thanks to a rhyming script, discovered that it’s not the hat that makes a person special, but what’s underneath!

“We don’t consider art classes as extras at Oak Knoll,” stated Lower School Division Head Christine Spies. “We consider these classes integral to our student’s program and development. When you’re in drama class, you’re learning about the perception of others and empathy as you take on roles. In music class, you’re thinking about rhythm and beat, but also cooperation and teamwork as you harmonize together. In our creative movement classes, you’re thinking about not only how we can move without voice but also gross motor skills and movement in our body space. And then in our studio arts, you get to explore a variety of materials to create art that’s as unique as each individual child.”

Following the 20-minute outpouring of joy, families spent the rest of the afternoon perusing the main hall of the Lower School, which is currently adorned with fine artwork created by these three grade levels. Congratulations to all these young creators!