Dear Oyster-Adams Families,

This past week was a joyful celebration of learning, creativity, and community at Oyster-Adams. We were thrilled to host the Winter Concerts at Adams—the first time in several years that we have been able to open these events to families and to highlight original student acts. Led by Sr. Eduardo Castro, the Adams Choir presented an impressive and wide-ranging repertoire, including K-Pop, Ennio Morricone choral arrangements, and a gorgeous traditional Quechua holiday song from the Andes (listen to a clip here!)

The student originals were equally inspiring. We enjoyed everything from a soul-piercing violin and piano solo, a clarinet celebration of Chanukah, an acapella hip-hop version of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” to a full student rock band that drew wild applause. Our students’ talent, creativity, and confidence truly shone on stage. Even more importantly, however, I had the privilege of witnessing our Tigres at their best as they cheered on classmates who were overcoming stage nerves and small mistakes. The cheers were raucous when they watched their classmates succeed after struggle, and that moved many of us in the audience to tears. Thank you for exemplifying grace, Tigers!

Adding to the excitement, our PreK4 Team and Ms. Ventura wrapped up their Unit on Clothing with a vibrant fashion show representing all four seasons. Students proudly modeled their collections, demonstrating their learning about how to protect and celebrate their bodies in all types of weather. Our teachers even arranged a red carpet for them to blow kisses and pose for the crowd! We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful to our educators for creating opportunities to showcase their many gifts.

Finally, I want to give a special shout-out to Stacia Cardille and Scott Dafflitto for applying for a grant for all our students to have Winter Coats this season, and hauling the whole donation to Oyster! Thanks to them, this week Oyster-Adams received new winter coats for our students from the Peter B. Teeley Children's Charities Foundation. If your children are in need of new coats this winter season, please contact Elisha Bogues-Wilis, our School Counselor and Family Support Liaison: Elisha.Bogues-Willis@k12.dc.gov.

If you would still like to contribute to our many families who still need your support this Holiday Season, please check out this link. Please remember that we need donations before families go off to Break this Friday!

Warmly,

Carolina Brito, Principal