Representatives of the Joffrey Ballet School visited with Sandy Hook School students on Monday, December 2.

During multiple presentations in Monroe’s Chalk Hill Middle School’s gymnasium, students danced along with the visitors as they presented Giles Andreae book Giraffes Can’t Dance.

Sandy Hook School Library/Media Specialist Yvonne Cech said she received an e-mail from Jo Matos, the Children and Young Dance Programs Director for the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, a while ago that set Monday’s visit in motion.

For Monday’s visit members of the Joffrey Ballet School donned hats with giraffes on them, and Ms Matos wore a hat with a lion. Students were divided into groups to work under the direction of the dancers as the story Giraffes Can’t Dance was read and music was played. Different dances were shared to match the changing scenes in the book.

According to a description for the book, Giraffes Can’t Dance follows the tale of Gerald, a giraffe, who learns to dance to his own rhythm.

Kindergarten students, first grade students, and second grade students took part in the multiple presentations during the day.

Visitors from the Joffrey Ballet School also included Karen Andres, Ephrat Asherie, Bita Baligh, Jessica Kilpatrick, Jaedon Thoms, Lara Vilches, and Bill Walach.