Riley and Park elementary students brought their winter music programs on the road Wednesday morning, and visitors at the Great Bend Senior Center benefitted.   Larissa Blackwell, Park’s music teacher, led her students in popular movie songs from “Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang,”  “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”  Rachel McCaulley, Riley’s music teacher, led students in selections from their musical production of “A Kid’s Life,” in which grandparents come to visit during a power outage, and help their grandchildren find non-electronic ways to entertain themselves.  
Susan Stambaugh, head of the Great Bend High School vocal music department, emceed the program.  USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed stopped in, and following the elementary schools’ performances, spoke to the group, many of whom he recognized as former USD 428 teachers.  
“Great Bend Public Schools wants to increase and improve efforts to be an integral part of the community,” he said.  “We want our kids to become used to being part of the community, and that includes being more service oriented.”
Later that morning, the Senior Center received visits from Great Bend Middle School’s Music in Motion and Women in Harmony groups, led by Malia Divilbiss, followed by a performance by Great Bend High School’s Madrigals.