After three years of silence, music has returned to Madison School with the kindergarten through second graders opening every Friday with singing and fun.
Madison Principal Carli Ainsworth said music Friday has been a long tradition at Madison, but the weekly singalong came to an end three years ago when the COVID pandemic hit.
With schools required to keep children separate as much as possible, it was impossible to gather as a full student body to sing. But with restrictions lifted heading into the 2022-2023 school year, Madison tried to get a music teacher. But Ainsworth said that effort failed.
That’s when first-grade teacher Mallory Pennington stepped up and volunteered to lead the Friday singalong. Now, the sound of music can again be heard in Madison.
Every Friday, as soon as school begins, the students gather in the Madison gym. Pennington then plays songs for the students, with the words shown on a screen so the students can sing along.
And they do. Pennington said the students get better every week as they learn the words of the songs and become more confident.
Like many schools across Coos Bay School District, traditions are returning to Madison School, with the sound of music another step to ensure each student thrives.