Simcha and celebration abounded at Westchester Day School, as students and faculty jumped right into the spirit of Adar and Purim this week. The festivities began on Rosh Chodesh with a long-standing tradition of the eighth grade students parading through the halls and classrooms dancing and singing with each of the younger grades. The tone was set then and there for a joyous week of Purim activities.

Drum Tales came to WDS to tell the Purim story through music for early childhood through second grade. There were Mystery Mordechai and Mystery Esther exchanges, class-wide mishloach manot projects, spirited dress-up days, costume parades, Purim parties and even a carnival run by the eighth graders.

Ganon children made grogers and hamantashen (dipped in chocolate and sprinkles, yum!) and played in classrooms that magically transformed into Shushan. Kindergarten morot acted out scenes from the Purim story each day. They discussed setting, plot and characters, which helped the students write and illustrate their own Megillas.

Elementary school teachers and students switched places and students were able to lead their classes, while teachers listened and learned from their students. Fourth grade put on a Purim play for the early childhood classes. Simcha songs and dancing were added at the conclusion of davening, with the anticipated joy of Purim palpable throughout the week.

Middleschoolers played fun Purim themed games such as Kahoot, Name that Tune and Headbandz and also heard meaningful Megillah readings in school.

PTA volunteers delivered beautiful mishloach manot packages on behalf of the parent body, to the entire faculty and staff, and fun treats for the students, too. Grandparents and Special Persons added joy to the chag by including notes for the students with sweet Purim treats.