Iowa teachers mark 'One More Day' until school starts with 'flash mob' performance

Mackenzie Ryan | The Des Moines Register

Call it "Back to School, the Musical."

Teachers and staff members in the West Des Moines, Iowa, school district broke into song during an all-district employee meeting last week, capturing some of the emotion and angst over having "one more day" before students return.

An employee interrupted a presentation by Superintendent Lisa Remy, and surprised many in the audience as music began to play and he broke into song.

Soon, about 30 teachers and staff members were singing a parody of the Les Miserables song, One More Day, on Valley High School's performing arts stage.

"One more day all on my own / Do we know the Common Core?" they belted out. "No more time for preparation / Will my lessons be a bore?"

The "flash mob" was captured on video, and shared on YouTube — along with the complete set of parody lyrics. (The song starts shortly after 1:20.)

West Des Moines students returned Monday, the first day of classes.

But spokeswoman Elaine Watkins-Miller said teachers in other Iowa school districts may be feeling the same way, with their first day later this week.

"It was just to bring some fun and energy to the welcome back," she said.