By David Krenz

Austin superintendent

Austin Public Schools has outstanding music and fine arts programs, and incredibly talented young people who participate in them. At every level, students have been preparing to showcase their hard work and gifts with the Austin community. These performances will certainly put you in the holiday mood!

Woodson Holiday Sing will take place at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Dec. 5, in the Austin High School Knowlton Auditorium.

The I.J. Holton Intermediate School and Ellis Middle School fifth- through eighth-grade band concert will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 8, in the AHS Knowlton Auditorium.

The I.J. Holton and Ellis Middle School fifth- through eighth-grade orchestra concert will take place at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 9 in the I.J. Holton gymnasium.

The Southgate Elementary School holiday concert will take place at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Southgate Gator gymnasium.

The Banfield winter concert will take place on Dec. 12. First graders will perform at 9:30 a.m., fourth graders at 10:30 a.m., second graders at 12:30 p.m., and third graders at 1:30 p.m.

The Austin High School holiday concert will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 15, in the AHS Knowlton Auditorium. There will be an admission fee.

The Sumner Elementary School holiday concert will take place at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 16, at Sumner.

The I.J. Holton and Ellis Middle School fifth- through eighth-grade choir concert will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 in the AHS Knowlton Auditorium.

The Neveln Elementary School holiday concert will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in the Ellis auditorium.

The I.J. Holton fifth- and sixth-grade general music concert will take place at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19 in the I.J. Holton gymnasium.

Also, the week of Nov. 17 through 21 marks the 93rd annual observance of American Education Week. Please join with me in celebrating our teachers and all school staff who make a difference for our youth each and every day.