With Thanksgiving just a week away and Christmas less than a month after that, our world is knee-deep in holiday plans. We create lists for groceries we need to buy, meals and cookies to make, cards to send and gifts to wrap. But in the midst of the flying reindeer and “silver bells,” wonderful celebrations are happening at Jenison Public Schools, too.

This week we’d like to highlight some of the very special events coming up across the district before the New Year, with arguably the most anticipated being the grand opening of Jenison Public Schools Center for the Arts!

When this blog began over 100 weeks ago, we were just beginning to talk about this building — this dream — that we had for our students and our community. But when the time came to break ground, we got right to work. Now, looking back at photos from the summer of 2012, it’s amazing to think of how far we’ve come.

On behalf of the district, we’d like to invite you to one, or all, of the events that we have planned for the week after Thanksgiving. Whether it means attending the sneak peek, the ribbon cutting ceremony or the open house, we’d love to have you join us for this special moment in our collective history. Please see the image above for times.

Finally, please mark your calendars for these other exciting arts events. Because this list is not intended to be comprehensive, we encourage you to contact your child’s building leadership for concert times not included below.

JENISON HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY EVENTS: All located at Jension Center for the Arts (JCA)

12/10, 8 pm  Bands Christmas Concert

12/13-14, 7 pm  Festival of Plays

12/18, 7:30 pm  Choir/Orchestra Concert (Concert Orch, Sinfonia, Concert Choir)

12/19, 7:30 pm  Choir/Orchestra Concert (Symphony & Chamber Orchestra, Chorale, Advanced Women’s Choir, Chamber Choir)

JENISON JUNIOR HIGH HOLIDAY EVENTS: AT JCA

12/4, 7:30 pm  Jr High Choir Christmas Concert and Male Chorus

12/9, 7 pm  Jr High Orchestras

12/10, 6:30 pm  Jr High Bands

ELEMENTARY EVENTS: ALL AT JCA

**Elementary Honors Choir with Jr. High Choirs 12/4, 6:15 pm**

Bauerwood | 12/12, 7:30 pm  3rd, 4th, 5th grade

Bursley | 12/13, 7 pm 3rd, 4th, 5th grade (with Bursley Choir)

Pinewood | 12/11, 7:30 pm 3rd, 4th, 5th grade

Rosewood | 12/17, 7:30 pm 3rd, 4th, 5th grade (and choir students)

Sandy Hill | 12/16, 7:30 pm 3rd, 4th, 5th grade (and Spotlight Choir)