Hello all,
Thanksgiving Week, while short, was a complete success! The students spent the two and a half school days learning about the events that led up to the first Thanksgiving while creating beautiful Thanksgiving-inspired crafts! Read on below to learn about all that took place throughout this short but fun week!
After reading a story about the first Thanksgiving on Monday morning, the students created a colorful corn cob to remind them how thankful we are to have delicious and healthy food to eat!
On Tuesday, the students created a beautiful and colorful tissue paper turkey art project that will surely help to festively decorate homes on Thanksgiving!
During the afternoon on Monday and Tuesday, the students discussed both the story of and the spirit of Thanksgiving! To begin, the teachers asked the students, “Why would you say, ‘Thank You’ to someone?”. Their responses included answers such as, “when someone helps you with something” or “when someone gives you something nice”. It was concluded that you say “Thank you” to someone when they make you feel loved, happy, or special. It was also concluded that saying, “Thank You” is a nice thing to do.
Having figured this out, the teachers then asked the students, “Who packed your lunch today?” The students replied that their Mommies or Daddies had packed them lunch. They were then asked if they thought it was nice of Mommy and Daddy to pack such a yummy lunch which they all agreed it was. The teachers then asked if any of the students had said, “Thank You” to Mommy and Daddy this morning. They looked a bit surprised when they realized that they had not. The teachers explained that Mommies and Daddies do so much for the students each and every day because they love them very much. It is always nice to say “Thank You” to Mommies and Daddies and Thanksgiving is a special time of year where people remember to do just that! Thanksgiving Day is a day where everyone takes the time to really think about all the people who help them in their lives as well as all the things that they have and say, “Thank You”. Thanksgiving is all about appreciating and valuing the very many people and things that sometimes we forget to say thank you for.
The students created an amazing class list as well as a class book to help think about the many things they are thankful for. Here is what they came up with!
On Wednesday morning, the students created their very own headdress inspired by those worn by the Native American, Wampanoag people. Complete with feathers, the headdresses were part of traditional dress for the Wampanoag people and the Park Prep Academy students were happy to try them on for size! Seeing that it was almost Turkey Day, the students added a tiny turkey face to the front.
The students, headdresses in tow, headed home on Wednesday at noon to begin their holiday festivities! Everyone at Park Prep Academy would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for the amazing students and families that have helped make this school year so special and wonderful. Safe travels and enjoy your long holiday weekend!
-PPA
Reminders:
School Closed for Thanksgiving Recess
Thursday and Friday, November 27th and 28th
Theme for Next Week:
Next week is letter H week. We will be learning what the holiday spirit is about – Helping others! For this reason, next week will be called,
Letter H is for Helping Week!
The students will take part in Park Prep Academy’s efforts to help various local organizations. Here is the Helping schedule for next week.
Wednesday
PPA Helps Senior Citizens!
The students will be creating multiple holiday cards which the teachers will distribute (later that evening) to the permanent senior residents of Hamilton Park Health Care Center.
Thursday
PPA Helps Rescued Animals of LHS!
The students will be baking and wrapping Dog/Cat treats that will be distributed to the rescued animals.
Liberty Humane Society of Jersey City
www.libertyhumane.org
235 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City
Friday
PPA Helps U.S. Troops through Operation Goodybag!
The students will be decorating and stuffing as many goodybags as possible to send to the U.S. troops spending their holidays overseas!
In lieu of shares next week, we kindly ask that you bring in a
non-perishable food item(s) – i.e. canned or dried goods.
At the end of the week, all food donations that have been made by the PPA families will be donated to a Hudson County food pantry.