The Holiday Season is in full swing on Keep In Touch with the 25 Days of Christmas Trivia with the students. The competition is really heating up and from what I’ve heard from some parents, they have to set the timer/alarm so their students don’t miss out on their chance at getting the most points. Honestly, Zack and I are having so much fun with this, it’s hard to get anything done. We are continually checking the computer to see who has responded and what answers they are coming up with.

In keeping with this type of fun, albeit without the prizes and competitive nature, I thought maybe this would be a good time to launch a new activity for the students and teachers/staff at Lutz. After the holidays I was going to kick-off a Lutz Get Acquainted project where I would post a question such as, What’s your favorite sport? Then students (past and present), teachers and staff could answer. All the answers would be put on a page on the website for everyone to see.

This would offer the students an opportunity of learning more about their fellow students and the staff at Lutz.  I know first hand how exciting it is for Zack when he finds out that someone else enjoys watching the WWE or likes one of his favorite song artists. He likes to see what things he has in common as well as how everyone is a little different. Even when our lives weren’t so “distant” from each other, asking someone questions about their likes or dislikes was really hit or miss with Zack. Most of the time it was more of an accident when he’d learn something about someone else. Here we can make it easy and fun.

With the holidays coming up fast and furious, Zack and I have decided to do a Lutz Get Acquainted – Christmas Edition. Zack made a list of 25 different questions to post, all pertaining to Christmas and/or the holidays. Each morning, starting December 1st, we will make a blog post at 9 a.m. with that days question and a submission form for you to share your answer. This post will also be shared on the Facebook groups. Unlike the Christmas trivia, there will be no deadline for answering, no points to accumulate, and no prizes (at least not tangible ones). Answer every day, once a week, or whenever you find the time. As the information comes in, it will be shared on a page on the website where everyone can view all the answers submitted.

Now, if you haven’t figured out by now, Christmas is a really big deal in our house. I know, this is probably a real shocker, but it’s true. I think the only person who loves Christmas more than Zack, would be me. So, for this special Christmas Edition, I would like to invite the parents/guardians to share their answers as well. I love to hear what others do, like, or enjoy during the holidays, so please feel free to include your point of view. Some questions are going to be simple and quick, while others may really make you think, reminisce and hopefully smile.

The holidays are when tradition, family, friends, hope, joy, love, and wonder are more prominent than any other time of year. This year, more than ever, it is important the we remember this and although we might not be able to do everything the way we have in years past, I have faith that there will come a time again when we will. For me, the memories of Christmas’s past, the moments I hold dearest to my heart from the holidays are the constant reminder to me of what is important.

Hopefully this activity of Getting Acquainted and sharing a little about ourselves will not only give the students something to do and hopefully enjoy, but us adults (parents/guardians/teachers/staff) as well.  Sometimes even the smallest thing can make a huge difference.

Take care and be on the lookout for other upcoming Holiday Events on Keep In Touch including:

• The Keep In Touch December Activity Bulletin Board – with ideas for daily activities for giving to our families, our neighbors, our community, and especially important right now — ourselves.
• Our First Annual Ugly Sweater Contest hosted by our very own In the Kitchen with Zack crew – and you will be voting to see who wins the First, Second, and Third Prize ribbons. Get those ugly sweaters dusted off. This will be open to students and ALL LUTZ STAFF.
• Zack’s 25 Days of Christmas Spirit posts on the Keep In Touch Facebook Group – Want to know what it looks like when Christmas throws-up on you? Well Zack’s mastered the look and every day from December 1 to December 25 he is going to share what Christmas outfit he is donning that day.
• And a few other things we’re still trying to work the bugs out of.

If you have any questions or comments, please use the form below. As always, take care, Keep In Touch, and Happy Holidays.

Lisa Dukicin, Keep In Touch