“Just a reminder that we will be hosting our annual Staff Holiday Social next Thursday, 12/18 in the MPR at 1:30. This is a time to get together, eat great food, and maybe win some amazing prizes/gifts. If you can provide a donation, please drop it off with Sara Osborne in the front office. They can be homemade items or treats, holiday merch, quality white elephant gifts, etc. Just think, would someone appreciate it, and that’s a great option! “ The email sent to the staff of AGHS.
The holiday social holds value for many staff members here on campus.
It takes place every year, and this year, over 150 staff attended.
Culinary put “blood, sweat, and tears” into making food for teachers, secretaries, custodians, counselors, and other staff, according to Chef Amber Russell. The menu was completely prepared by Russell and her “elves” (students).
“Sometimes I’m explaining the meals on the fly,” said Russell
The experience can be a helpful learning opportunity for the students heading into the culinary field by allowing them to learn a menu quickly and how to prepare large meals.
This year, the main course consisted of quiche and a soup made of potato, sausage, and kale– also known as “creamy zuppa toscana.” The sides were beans, rice, corn chips, chili verde, and red salsas.
Memorable desserts were lemon bars and sugar cookies.
“I taught the students, many of whom are doing this for the first time, how to make many types of holiday cookies,” Russell said
ASB Director and Leadership Teacher at AGHS, Shannon Hurtado, set up the entire event. Hurtado said that the custodians helped set up, and then her leadership students decorated the tables. Each table was decorated with a present in the center surrounded by tinsel and wrapping paper. To accompany that, each place setting featured a small card with the name, photo, and information about a staff member’s favorite holiday traditions.
The second part of the social consists of a raffle. Teachers come together to donate an item or items, and the slides that are made by Hurtado have 6 names on each, and those 6 teachers may come up and select the present that they would like.
“I started nagging [about raffle donations] about 2 weeks before,” Hurtado said.
Staff members came together to donate items. At the social, Hurtado presented pre-made slides with six names on each. In the order that staff names appeared, they were welcomed to pick a donated gift.
These socials used to be held off campus, giving the teachers a true chance to celebrate what is also their break. As time went by, it became too expensive, and the staff have pivoted to an on-campus event.
The holiday social serves as an annual celebration of the end of the first semester and an easy transition into a well-deserved break.
