They belted out some good old-fashioned Christmas songs, excitedly recited holiday-themed poems, and even humored their audience with a few jokes.

As if their performance wasn’t enough, Slatington Elementary students capped the day off by serving hot turkey dinners for lunch to the seniors during the school’s 36th annual Senior Citizens’ Holiday Program. The program was held Tuesday in the school’s gymnasium, with the students all too willing to help brighten the mood for the senior citizens.Principal Scott Pyne told the senior citizens in attendance, “This is a pretty big event for us.”Pyne said he is “truly blessed” to be in a school district that is so embedded in the community, and that the students owe such a great debt to the senior citizens for paving the way for them.He thanked all the parents, teachers, administrators, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and volunteers for making the event possible, as well as the Treble Makers, Men’s Choir, Rachel Reiter, and Jason Check, for playing the part of Santa.Pyne said more than 130 senior citizens were in attendance, double the amount of those who attended last year, and the most the program has ever had.He also acknowledged Marlene Simock, whom he said spearheaded the inaugural event.“It’s exciting to have you all here this year,” Pyne said.The program began with sixth-graders singing their rendition of “Deck the Halls,” followed by their recital of the poem, “When Santa Claus Comes,” author unknown. They then sang their rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”Afterward, the fifth and sixth grade bands played “Clip, Clap, Clop,” arranged by Bob Turner, and “Jingling and Jollying,” arranged by Steven Jonkman. The songs were conducted by Brittney Diehl.The fifth grade performed “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and the poem, “Snowball” by Shel Silverstein.The fourth grade performed the “Twelve Dogs of Christmas,” followed by “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” arranged by John Rox.The third grade performed the “Old St. Nicholas Song” (to the tune of “Old McDonald”), followed by the poem, “Wintertime,” and “Up on the Housetop.”The Men’s Choir performed “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” arranged by Jay Althouse, while the Treble Makers performed “Santa Tell Me,” arranged by Mac Huff.Gary and Sue Meckes of Walnutport said they enjoyed themselves a great deal as they watched the students perform.“Very good, very cute,” Gary Meckes said.Sixth-grader Bianca Carrion said it made her feel good to see the senior citizens happy.“I’m really excited, really glad we could do this for them,” Bianca said. “Especially so close to the holidays.”Fellow sixth-grader Lucas Farmer said he felt proud to be able to sing for the elderly, and for “the chance for them to feel great.”Ronald and Linda Hughes of Slatedale said they were thankful for the gesture.Seated across the lunch table from them were Ralph and Celeste Williams.Ralph, a retired teacher who taught for 39 years in the district, said, “It was an excellent program. Well organized.”