The gym walls have been decorated, costumes made and the songs rehearsed for weeks but by today, Friday, the last Christmas concert in Sandra Chan's 34-year teaching career will be over.
Is she happy about it? Not by a long shot.
Preparing for Christmas concerts is one of the highlights of her year at Ranch Park elementary school, the diminutive Chan said during a break before her last dress rehearsal for yesterday's event.
Although she is looking forward to retirement - perhaps traveling a bit and spending time with her parents - Chan, who is the school's music teacher and choir director, said she feels bittersweet about the transition because she will miss the children, the staff and the community.
"It's an extraordinary community, Ranch Park, that's why I've been here so long," said Chan, who has been a teacher at the Coquitlam school since 1980.
Over the past three decades, Chan has developed a love for the low-slung, single-storey school with its grey lockers - unusual for an elementary school - linoleum floors, brightly-decorated walls and light-filled library, where she also teaches children to love reading as the school's librarian.
Her last day is Jan. 31, more than a month after the Christmas concert, in which more than 200 students will participate (with the Grade 5s taking on the acting roles) in the play Melton the Warm-hearted Snowman.
"I couldn't have my concert as the final goodbye, it would be too emotional," she said, adding, "It's been a long, wonderful career."
