By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—Teachers gathered in the Inverness Elementary School library after dismissal on Dec. 2, but they weren’t grading papers or planning lessons. Instead, they were decorating holiday T-shirts at the school’s first “tacky T-shirt decorating party.”

“Inverness Elementary School is full of traditions, this year we decided to start a (new one),” IES Assistant Principal Jeff Norris said. “It’s culture building to start the month off right.”

Christmas carols played and laughter filled the room as teachers spread out through the library to style their shirts and swap decorating ideas with their colleagues.

“We are always focused on the community, including the faculty,” Norris said.

Although the Christmas season is a cheerful time, wrapping up the semester often means increased work and stress for teachers.

“You get tired, it is a lot of work,” IES kindergarten teacher Jan Renfro said, noting the end of semester workload.

The Dec. 2 T-shirt decorating party gave teachers the chance to unwind and relax together outside of the classroom and day-to-day school schedule.

“Inverness Elementary is just such a family place,” Renfro said. “We support each other and we love each other.”

The T-shirt decorating party was just one of the many Christmas activities IES has planned for the season. Students also get to join in the fun, with visits from Santa, a Polar Express movie day, a Christmas sing along and more.