Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/859531
taf f in the Cajon Valley Union S c h o o l D i s t r i c t d a n c e d a n c e danced into the 2016-17 school year, thanks to a splashy music video that put smiles on the faces of students, teach- ers, classified employees, school board members and administrators. Check it out: bit.ly/2tkg4iD. The video, which went viral , shows school staf f and board members pre- paring for the first day of school while boogying with abandon in the classroom, boardroom, print shop, fiscal services department, cafeteria and warehouse, and even on school buses and atop tables, to the beat of Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling." Produced by Fe Fi Fo Films, the video w a s s ent to pr i n c i p al s a n d t e a ch ers throughout the district near San Diego, who shared it with students at the dis- trict 's 26 scho ol s. S om e scho ol s and teachers were inspired to create their own videos after seeing the district one, says Superintendent David Miyashiro. " We aimed to inspire, encourage and truly welcome back our teachers and staff to a new school year," says Miyashiro. " We were able to engage the entire dis- trict office staff, who work all through the summer to get our sites ready for the new school year, in a fun team-building event to show our teachers how much they care and support them." Parents, students, former students and others raved about the video. Chris Prokop, president of the Cajon Valley Education Association (CVEA), believes the video set a positive tone for the school year. "e kids loved it, and the community really enjoyed it," he said. "Our district population has grown by hundreds of kids, so there's something to be said for it being successful." Representing teachers in the produc- tion is Donna McCain, a seventh-grade English instructor at Hillsdale Middle School beginning her 21st year in the profession. She laughingly says she will be forever remembered as "the twirling teacher in the red dress." e CVEA member just happened to be working during the summer on a blended learning program when the superinten- dent walked in and asked if she'd like to be in the district's back-to-school video. "I knew how to dance and sing and twirl, so I said yes," says McCain. "And that's what happened in a hot classroom on a summer day. It was fun stepping out of the box and doing something I've never done before. Every year, as a teacher, I like to try something new." Whether or not El Cajon plans another back-to-school surprise this year, McCain says, the first day of school is still magical for teachers as well as students. " I love th e anticip ation . I love th e excitement of meeting new people, seeing new faces and trying to remember every- body's name. Every year is fresh for me. I just love going back to school!" " Every year is fresh for me. I just love going back to school!" — DONNA McCAIN, CAJON VALLEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Welcome Back! Entertaining video sets rhythm for school year By Sherry Posnick-Goodwin S Donna McCain, left, twirls, and food workers, below, rock out in the Cajon Valley Union School District dance video. 39 A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 017