Elementary School

Have you ever heard a student say they went to a school where they didn’t feel seen, heard, confident, loved, or like they truly belonged? Jr. has felt that way at his many schools. But things begin to change when he stumbles upon a magical classroom and peeks through their window. With the help of a teacher named Mr. Rise, he sees a handful of students who are shown just how special they are every day! Will Jr. be too afraid to reveal himself to them? Will they let Jr. join their team? Only time will tell if he’s found the community he’s needed for a very long time.

Have you ever heard a student say they went to a school where they didn’t feel seen, heard, confident, loved, or like they truly belonged? Jr. has felt that way at his many schools. But things begin to change when he stumbles upon a magical classroom and peeks through their window. With the help of a teacher named Mr. Rise, he sees a handful of students who are shown just how special they are every day! Will Jr. be too afraid to reveal himself to them? Will they let Jr. join their team? Only time will tell if he’s found the community he’s needed for a very long time.

Have you ever heard a student say they went to a school where they didn’t feel seen, heard, confident, loved, or like they truly belonged? Jr. has felt that way at his many schools. But things begin to change when he stumbles upon a magical classroom and peeks through their window. With the help of a teacher named Mr. Rise, he sees a handful of students who are shown just how special they are every day! Will Jr. be too afraid to reveal himself to them? Will they let Jr. join their team? Only time will tell if he’s found the community he’s needed for a very long time.

NEA Heritage Fellow Karen Ann Hoffman, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, leads participants in a hands-on traditional corn husk doll making workshop. A talented storyteller, she will also share the history of the dolls, and other Oneida stories.

Many folks know that our modern-day Santa Claus had his start as St. Nicholas, but what happened on the journey to make us think of a "jolly old elf" rather than a pious Christian Bishop? Where, exactly, did Santa Claus come from, and why does his popularity remain so high in modern American popular culture?

This illustrated lecture is well-researched, with details on the journey Bishop Nicholas made to become our current-day Santa Claus. You’ll enjoy recognizing many familiar images and poems in this holiday program.

Beyond the Ingenue: Trailblazers will perform selections from the entire revue by local, professional actors of new works commissioned from songwriters. The cast, production team, and academic experts will also host a post show discussion on the process behind the project and cultural significance of these historical figures.

Learn how poets use their five senses by taking a literal (and literary) walk to Midvale School’s community garden and writing haikus about the experience.

Moisés Villavicencio Barras will lead the workshop. He is a Mexican poet, translator, and published writer. He teaches at Midvale School.

This workshop is for elementary aged children who are accompanied by parents or caregivers.

Join us as we investigate our corner of space and beyond with MPM On the Move (Milwaukee Public Museum’s outreach program)! Learn how our understanding of the universe has changed through the years. Participants will get a chance to model the movement of celestial bodies and build their own scale model of the solar system.

For astronomy lovers ages 8 through adult!

Madison Ballet will talk about the history of ballet and the Nutcracker, run through a mock rehearsal with several dancers, and perform some scenes from the upcoming Nutcracker performance at the Overture Center for the Arts.

Refreshments will be served and a craft offered for kids.

**Due to high interest, please select one performance to attend, and arrive early since space is limited.**

An evening of brats, cheese, Sprecher’s root beer, ice cream, and original music by Ken Lonnquist, with Doug Brown.  Ken’s music is packed with humor and beautiful musical portraits of the Badger state.

Celebrate Wisconsin history, folklore, and natural places, plus the quirky delights of life among the cheeseheads.  

Seating is limited, so please register at the DeForest Area Public Library or on their website.

Badger & Packer attire encouraged!