YOUNGSTOWN — Pandemic or not, it’s the most wonderful time of the year and Youngstown City School District makes sure to celebrate with students and staff, even at a distance.

Paul C. Bunn Elementary launched a holiday music video contest. Students and staff were asked to record videos of themselves performing a holiday song — singing, dancing or playing a musical instrument — and email them to Principal William Baun.

The school’s culture and climate team is picking the winners, and Baun will announce them Monday. Prizes will be awarded to winners as well as participants. The school also asked students this week to show their holiday spirit with a different theme each day.

Volney Rogers Elementary School kicked off its 12 Days of Volney Christmas Cheer on Dec. 7. Each day through Tuesday has a different theme such as “Dress Like a Christmas Tree” and “Dress for a Hawaiian Christmas.”

Families were asked to send a photo or tag the school to show students’ spirit. Participants are entered into a prize drawing.

Wilson Elementary School is observing Holiday Sprit Week through Tuesday. Monday is Whoville Day when kids are asked to dress like a resident of Whoville from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Tuesday is Pajama and Polar Express Day.

The school also offered “Wilson Wonderland” as its winter Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports incentive. Students earned eligibility by following behavioral expectations for 16 out of 22 days between Nov. 9 and Dec. 11. They had to demonstrate being respectful, responsible and safe.

As a reward, they received treat bags picked up by their families. Teachers also will show a movie as part of holiday festivities. “Polar Express” is the film picked for younger children while older students voted to pick their movie.

At Williamson Elementary School this week, school staff hosted a Holiday Drive-Thru Lane. They distributed winter coats; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math gift sets; headphones and books to Williamson students in the primary grades. St. John Church donated the books, the Rotary Club of Youngstown donated winter coats and the STEM kits came from Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology.

Kirkmere Elementary School plans to host a pajama day on Tuesday. A movie day reward for students who met attendance goals and remained engaged in their classes this month is planned by the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports team for that day.

Taft Elementary School had a holiday spectacular Friday, with a virtual dance presented by the school’s PBIS team. To be eligible to participate, students had to be respectful by keeping their cameras on and their faces visible during online instruction, be responsible by attending all classes and be safe by using kind words and facial expressions.

Youngstown Rayen Early College High School is observing the holiday by hosting its first virtual book club by reading “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds. On Tuesday, YREC staff and students will participate in a talent show. The school plans to have an ugly Christmas sweater contest and YREC alumni will perform an historically black colleges and universities-inspired dance.

The East High School holiday staff party will be on Zoom this year complete with games and an ugly Christmas sweater contest.

Choffin Career and Technical Center’s Early Childhood Education scholars are hosting a donation drive to collect gloves, mittens, hats, socks and scarves for children and teens. It’s part of the program’s community service project and donations benefit Mahoning County Children Services. Members of the public may drop off donations from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Choffin Career and Technical Center, 200 E. Wood St.

There will be a container marked “Mitten Tree” located outside of the building on those days.

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