Every year on or around St. Patrick’s Day, students and staff at Mark Twain Elementary School can be seen dancing an Irish Jig, a beloved tradition which began way back in 1980 – 36 years ago. The event was brought to the school by now-retired teacher Ruth McDermott, who learned how to do it from a colleague in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, in 1971. Now, fifth grade boys and girls start practicing the four steps to the music The Irish Washerwoman a few days before the celebration, which draws alumni and parents, who pack the building to watch the honorary Irish boys, girls, men and women “jig around the gym.”