Friday, Nov. 27, 2009

Students at Charleston school give thanks

Student-made Thanksgiving place mats lined cafeteria tables at Charleston Elementary School on Wednesday, as eager students filed in for the traditional Thanksgiving feast held each year before the holiday.

Faculty and parents play a huge part in the event, as they spent all morning Wednesday preparing for the school's feast held on campus. Kindergarteners were treated to the turkey, mashed potatoes, dinner roll, Jell-O and pie treat starting at 9:30 a.m. Each class and grade followed for their own holiday meal.

The students made their own Thanksgiving place mat, also an annual element of the event, inscribed with what they appreciate most in their lives.

Margaret Bowman, a kindergarten teacher, said the meal has been offered to students for the last 17 years. The parents are a sole provider of the all the trimmings.

"The children look forward to it," Traci Nunes, a teacher's aide, said. "It's a good thing. It's a tradition."

Charleston is home to more than 400 students who enjoyed the special meal.

The children also create the decorations with a Thanksgiving theme and dress up as either pilgrims or natives.

This year, kindergarteners dressed as Indians, while first grade students made their way to the meal as pilgrims.

Lynn Martin, a kindergarten teacher, said the meal is a wonderful tradition for Charleston to continue for its students each year. Her class spent time discussing and reading about the first Thanksgiving.

"The kids love it," Martin said.