CUMMING, Ga. — Not a single Lakeside Middle School student was alive when Vanilla Ice shot to stardom with his hit “Ice, Ice Baby” back in 1990. But that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate the parody song and video the school’s staff rolled together for students’ return to the classroom.
With math teacher Jeremy Combs handling the lyrics, computer science teacher Matt Pike behind the video and some dance moves from nearly the entire staff, students returned to Lakeside for the first time Thursday with “Mask, Mask Baby” greeting them.
“We wanted to positively promote the expectation that our students and staff wear masks if they are able to do so, so we brainstormed ideas that could be catchy and involve our staff,” Forsyth County Schools Director of Communications Jennifer Caracciolo said. “One of our math teachers came up with this idea and wrote the lyrics. The song really worked because it is catchy and appeals to not only our kids but adults, too.”
“Alright stop, collaborate and listen, school is back we’ve got important things to mention,” the song starts. “CDC Guidelines we’re following tightly, to keep students safe both digitally and nightly. Will COVID ever stop? Yo, I don’t know. But check your temperature before you go. Stay at home if you have a fever. Check itsLearning, your classes will never leave ya.”
“Oh my goodness! This is amazing,” Joanna Ryan commented to the video on Facebook. “You guys did a fantastic (job) and (I’m) so impressed! Thank you for all you do to keep our kids safe! They can’t wait for their 1st day!”
“Great and creative video that gets the point across! Way to go,” Bob DeFonte commented.
Did it work? Caracciolo noted that the majority of students and staff were masked for the first day of school.
As for the reaction from the students, “Throw-back songs are popular,” Caracciolo said. “So yes, even our kids thought that it was cool. The verdict is out on the staff dance moves – ha!”