It’s no secret the 2020-21 school year so far – with hybrid schedules, e-learning and everything in between – has been a challenge for educators across the country because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That challenge hasn’t been limited to helping students learn and grow, but also to stay positive.

Northlawn Junior High band and choir director Emily Schaumberg used her past experiences at Northern Illinois University to create a “performance setting” for her students. On Thursday and Friday, her choir members participated in Halloween caroling, where they walked the halls of the school, using their voices and jingle bells to brighten everyone’s day.

“I kept thinking we have been in class for 10 weeks, and there really hasn’t been any events because of COVID-19,” said Schaumberg, who is in her first year of teaching. “When I was in college, we did Halloween carols, which consists of taking a basic Christmas melody and changing the original words to those fitting for Halloween. The main goal was for the students to be able to participate in a performance aspect while also lightening the mood in the school and giving ever one spirit.”

Instead of “Deck the halls with boughs of holly,” the group sang, “Deck the patch with poison ivy. Fa la la la la, la la la la.” “Tis the season to be slimy. Fa la la la la, la la la la.” The group performed an array of songs, which she said will also help them transition into Christmas music as they are already using the melodies.

Seventh grader Izabelle Dean said she really liked the Halloween version of “Winter Wonderland.”

“Doing this was really neat and really fun,” Dean said.

Aubree Gallick, a seventh grader dressed up like the orange M&M, said “Trick or Treat” (to the melody “Jingle Bells”) was her favorite.

“I liked it, but a couple classes my friends were in there, so it was a little weird,” Gallick said. “I think they were like ‘What are they doing?’ But it was great to be doing something for our school.”

Sixth grader Brittan Bradley said she also liked “Winter Wonderland” and added she was a little skeptical when she first heard about the performance idea.

“Originally, when Miss Schaumberg told us what we would be doing, I thought she was going insane,” Bradley said with a smile still evident under her mask. “I didn’t really think we would be able to walk around the hallways and sing with everything going on right now. I just thought ‘There’s no way.’

“But now that we were able to do it, it was great, and I had a lot of fun doing it.”

Northlawn Principal Bob Ketcham said he was thrilled to see Schaumberg and the students involved.

“Emily has done a great job with this of thinking outside the box with what may have been done instead not an option right now with COVID-19 restrictions and safety,” Ketcham said. “Any time we can put the spotlight on the kids despite what is going on around us, to me, that’s a win.”