Do you hear what I hear?

Sounds of the Season are in the air.

(I like it!)

But as you’ll soon see, it’s likely your favorite Christmas or holiday song is quite different than one preferred by a family member or friend.

With this in mind, I hope you’ll get a kick out these heart-felt snippets from more than 30 of our FSD staff.

Their choices of favorite Christmas or holiday song covered a wide range – and there’s also a personal reflection to go along with each one!

Fun!

I hope you’ll enjoy a few photos of our festive community, too! (Thank you, Wendy Yagiela!)

Darcy Nickless Berry
FHS, College & Career Adviser/Librarian
“Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” by David Bowie and Bing Crosby

“It’s a lovely example of the harmony and beauty that can be made from two seemingly different worlds coming together.”

Ben Reif
Maintenance-EFR
“Scrooge” from the Muppet Christmas Carol

“This is a classic!”

Marla Hoffmann
Literacy Parapro, Grades 5-8, EFR
“Christmas Can Can” by Straight No Chaser

“It makes me laugh and puts it in perspective how busy the season is. :-)”

Aaron Toth
FHS, 12th Grade English Teacher
“Christmas Time Is Here” by Vince Guaraldi Trio

“Aside from its obvious beauty, this song has a melancholy undertone that invites the listener to reflect on the year gone by. I think it’s fascinating.”

Carrie Wierda
Special Education Teacher – EFR
“The Christmas Shoes”

“When growing up this song often played on the radio while my mom was driving me to lessons, practices and games. It reminds me of the time spent between the two of us and serves as a strong reminder of the selflessness.”

Zachary Reimus
7-8 Social Studies Teacher – EFR
“Christmas Canon”

“This is one of the songs my grandparents would play in the background when we were with my whole family at their house. It brings up a lot of good memories.”

Shannon Thompson
Counselor – List Elementary
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”

“This song is just fun and playful! It puts you in the holiday mood.”

Cassie Shorkey
7-8 Math Teacher – EFR
“Do They Know Its Christmas” by Bandaid

“I’m an 80’s kid at heart and this song always makes me cheery and sing along.”

Susan Maki
7th Gr. ELA, Reading, & Comm. Teacher – EFR
“Baby It’s Cold Outside” or “My Grown-Up Christmas List”

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside is a classic…I like to sing in 2 separate voice at home to bother my kids. My Grown-Up Christmas List is a new favorite…it gets to the heart of seeking peace and harmony over THINGS.”

Derek Lemanski
Teacher – All grades at FHS
“Baby It’s Cold Outside”

“Because some today may find the lyrics of a 1959 song to be controversial – and I like the Rat Pack anyway.”

Christine Fry
Principal – EFR
“The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole

“It always reminds me of a warm cozy home and family.”

Linda Mawer
Paraprofessional – EFR
“One Wintry Night” by David Phelps

“I love how the song tells the story of Jesus’ birth. The vocals and orchestra are phenomenal.”

Lindsey Histed
6th Grade – Paraprofessional
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”

“It’s an upbeat classic that puts everyone in a cheerful mood for the holidays. It’s also a staple in many of our favorite holiday movies.”

Katie Kay
4th Grade Teacher at List
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”

“I love the timelessness of this song. Everyone from my young daughter to my mom know it and join in singing when it plays. I also like the idealistic mind movie it creates of people dancing and enjoying a party.”

David Jaworski
FHS Assistant Principal
“Happy Xmas (War is Over)” by John Lennon

“I am a history guy and I believe music plays an important role in history, sometimes telling a story, celebrating an occasion, or in protest.”

Dan Wagner
5th Grade Teacher – EFR
“Little Drummer Boy”

“My son, who happens to be a pretty successful drummer who plays in a band from our hometown, found it stimulating to bang on just about anything to produce a sound. The song reminded me of him then, and it reminds me now.”

Brad Jeske
Health Resource Advisor for the district
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” by August Burns Red

“This version encompasses an entirely different composition while staying recognizable to the traditional song. This song, as well as the rest of the album it is on, is a staple of every Christmas morning while I make breakfast.”

Lauren Birnbaum
Special Education Supervisor for the district
“Merry Christmas Darling”

“This is the song that my mom and I listen to and sing (poorly) together during the holidays.”

Glenda Berg
Secretary – EFR
“Sleigh Ride”

“I love ALL Christmas songs… this one’s great with words or without!”

Ashley Calliotte
Software Coordinator for the district
“Greensleeves”

“It’s peaceful and happy. It reminds me of Christmas growing up.

Toni Henry
District Office / Community Education
“White Christmas” by Bing Crosby

“Bing’s voice just ‘feels’ like Christmas.”

Liz Merrihew
3rd Grade Teacher at List
“Silent Night”

“Especially with the lights off singing acapella at St. Lorenz.”

Kerri Yurk
Reading Camp / K-4
“Christmas Canon” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

“Hearing all the instruments and talented musicians give me goosebumps .”

Stephanie Rummel
Athletic Dept. Secretary
“Angels We Have Heard On High”

“Greg and I were married December 30th, and we had this song as a piano solo at the ceremony. The director of music at St Lorenz at that time arranged the piece.”

Hannah Morris
Kindergarten Teacher at List
“Jingle Bells” by Frank Sinatra

“It’s catchy and it’s also my dad’s favorite Christmas song – so enjoy listening and singing along together.”

Jason Vislosky
Principal at List Elementary
“Mele Kalikimaka”

“This song is in one of my favorite Christmas movies, Christmas Vacation.”

Beth Chinery
Speech-Language Pathologist at List
“Let It Snow” by Dean Martin

“I love the Christmas classic tunes (Dean Martin) and I love snow – so it is a perfect tune for me! It also drives my own children crazy when I sing it each time a snowflake falls!”

Emily Taylor
Kindergarten Teacher at List
“Silver Bells” by Andy Williams

“It reminds me of my childhood memories of making Christmas cinnamon rolls with my grandma!”

Amanda Livingston
4th Grade Teacher at List
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

“I sang this, among many other songs, for 9 years during the Christmas Eve Children’s Service at St. Lorenz. To me it is a calling for all to worship Baby Jesus.”

Kevin Schwedler
Athletic Director
“Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum” by Jimmy Buffett

“This song is upbeat and talks about Santa needing a break from all the busy work we all get wrapped up in this time of year – at work and at home.”

Chelsea VanderGraaff
5-12 Band Director, EFR & FHS
“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”

“This song has always just brought a smile to my face. It was also my mom’s favorite Christmas song, so it means even more now that she’s passed.”

Kate Conzelmann
Counselor – FHS
“Silent Night”

“I love a good Holly Jolly Christmas or others as we lead up to Christmas, but there is no better song on than this on Christmas Eve to take in the blessings of Christmas!”

Mario Guerrero
P.E. Teacher
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

“Even though it has come under some controversy these past years, I still absolutely love this song. Every time I hear it, I smile.”

Emily Spaulding
5th Grade ELA Teacher – EFR
“A Special Wish” by B.W. Stevenson

“Simply because of these lyrics, “May you have Christmas with your family. May you have peace and joy and harmony. May all your hurts be far away, on this Christmas day.”

Danielle Sheaffer
Y5 Teacher
“O Holy Night”

“My grandfather had a beautiful singing voice and this was his favorite. Hearing him sing it as a small child was always magical. I miss his voice…and him, but this song brings back such comfort.”

Luke Kanine
P.E./Spanish/Communications Teacher – EFR
“The Little Drummer Boy“

“To be honest, growing up this was always my favorite because of the, “Pa rum pum pum pum” part. It brings me back to Christmas time growing up.”

Now…
what’s your favorite Christmas or holiday song?

Mine is “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley.

I enjoyed his music while growing up – and still do today – and I always appreciated his American spirit and support for country.

So, I’ll just pass this along in closing –

Merry Christmas!!!!

Have a great New Year, too!

My scheduled Thursday email will come your way in early 2023!