The Burlington County Special Services School District will continue its annual tradition of a holiday show and craft fair on Thursday, Dec 16, but virtually, due to a rise in area COVID cases.
The event allows students and parents to come together before parting ways for winter break. It has taken place for decades, according to district Superintendent Dr. Christopher Nagy, and is designed to showcase each student’s unique abilities through creations such as floral arrangements, culinary treats or woodshop materials.
During the height of COVID last year, the Westampton district was able to put together a video for parents and guardians to see the work of students. This year, the event returns virtually to the Burlington County Institute of Technology Westampton Campus (BCIT), with the holiday show theme ‘Twas the Day Before Winter Break. At 7 p.m. in the auditorium, students will showcase holiday festive costumes and video sing-a-longs.
The craft fair will start just across the hall at 6 p.m., with works by students available for sale. They will include treats from the culinary and bake shops at the district’s Westampton and Lumberton campuses and crafts from graphic arts, woodshop and the functional living center.
Nagy said the holiday event is special for the school, its staff and students, whom he thanks for their hard work.
“It’s just a joyous occasion, and in the midst of all the challenges to one’s health, well-being and mental health, it’s an uplifting event, something definitely to look forward to and raise our spirits,” he noted
The show and craft fair enable parents and guardians to see the progress students have made since the beginning of the year.
“We’re trying to provide as much as possible the opportunity for students to be able to experience those transitional social events that they look forward to every year, and to be able to safeguard those as much as possible,” Nagy said.
“We want to be able to honor the calendar events as much as possible, so that students can truly celebrate those rights of passages that they deserve to have,”
For more information on how to view the event, visit the Burlington County Special Services School District website at bcsssd.k12.nj.us.
