AUBURN — Everyone’s heard of “Frosty the Snowman” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” but “The 12 Days of Gym Class?”

The Learning Station song used by gym teachers was performed Wednesday by Park Avenue Elementary School students and staff at their pre-vacation singalong.

Some students and staff were decked out in festive sweaters or Santa hats. Making the mood more joyous was the fact that right after the singalong ended, school was out until Jan. 3.

“Are you excited?” Principal Vickie Gaylord asked students sitting on the gym floor.

“Yes!” they responded with applause and cheers.

After singing “Frosty,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Rudolph,” the highlight of the show was about to start.

Students knew it was coming. They began cheering when gym teacher MaryJo Hodgkin took the stage wearing a referee shirt and a Santa hat.

The familiar tune of “12 Days of Christmas” played, but the song went: “On the first day of gym class my coach made me do, some arm flapping chicken kind of things.” As they sang students flapped their arms as if they were doing the chicken dance.

The song included “two pulling thumbs,” “three weights for lifting,” “four shout-outs” and “five hula hoops,” to which children moved as if they were hula-hooping.

Then, “six squatting thrusts,” “seven strokes of swimming,” “eight ropes for climbing,” “nine ways of dancing,” “10 yards of leaping” and “11 blocks in boxing.”

As they reached the last verse the music cut out. No matter. The well-versed students kept singing and moving: “12 power punches, 11 blocks in boxing, 10 yards of leaping,” while laughing all the way.

And, staff gave students a surprise performance.

“Before we even start, we have a special activity that requires total silence,” Gaylord told students. “Our lights are going to go out. Everyone needs to stay seated and be very, very quiet.”

One by one staff walked through the dark gym onto the stage holding a glowing electric candle. On the stage they made a chorus and sang “This Little Light of Mine.” The lyrics were changed to make the song public-school appropriate.

The principal said students look forward to the pre-vacation singalong every December. The school does assembly sings every other week, which is one of their favorite things.

The December sing is a little different, more festive. But the school does not focus on Christmas, Gaylord said. While many students celebrate Christmas at home, others celebrate Eid or Hanukkah.

“We don’t focus on the holidays,” she said. “We focus on this as a break, a time to get out, get re-energized, some physical activity, and we’ll see you next year ready to learn.”

After the last song, students were dismissed to “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

Sitting in the audience, parents Rene and Julia Dumont said they attend the singalong every December. Their youngest are twins in the sixth grade. They have three other older children who looked forward to it every year.

Attending is a good way to get in the holiday mood, see the school community and celebrate together, Rene Dumont said. “The kids love it.”

Julia said she enjoys “seeing all the little faces and families.”

[email protected]