Elementary schools throughout WCSD learn about the importance of giving thanks during holiday season

From Balloons over Broadway to Thanksgiving feasts, elementary schools throughout the Washingtonville Central School District are showing their gratitude in ways that can’t be beat!

Check out a photo gallery from the day here! 

At Round Hill Elementary, kindergarteners learned about the meaning of Thanksgiving by watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” prior to their feast on Tuesday morning. 

“My favorite part of the feast is eating with everyone,” said kindergartener Violet Muriqi. “We learned to be kind to everyone,” she said when asked what she learned after watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.”

Kindergarten teachers went around asking students what they are thankful for as they enjoyed their Thanksgiving meal. The feast included an assortment of treats, such as pretzels and popcorn, just like in the movie. 

“The whole message today is that it’s important that no matter what you’re eating, that you spend time with people you care about,” said kindergarten teacher Melissa Benincasa to the classes.

Festivities continued at Taft Elementary during their multicultural Thanksgiving feast Tuesday afternoon. Fourth grade families gathered in the cafeteria, bringing an array of treats from Italy and Spain, along with traditional Thanksgiving side dishes.

“It’s really important to get families together,” said Brittany Davis, fourth grade teacher at Taft who coordinated the event. “We live in a society where there’s a lot of different cultures, so why not celebrate them.”

Taft kicked off their Thanksgiving festivities Tuesday morning with their annual Balloons over Broadway parade. Second graders pranced around the school, holding their decorated balloons high and proud as their peers lined the hallways to cheer them on.

This initiative is inspired by Melissa Sweet’s award-winning book “Balloons Over Broadway," which tells the story of Tony Sarg, who was a puppeteer that spearheaded the creation of many Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons since their debut in 1927. Students read and discussed the book, emphasizing the lasting impact Mr. Sarg’s work has had for generations to come. 

Third graders at Little Britain also participated in Balloons over Broadway on Tuesday afternoon. Not only did they show off their creativity, but they learned a valuable lesson in history and pop culture. 
Second graders at Little Britain engaged in an innovative Thanksgiving activity after reading “A Plump and Perky Turkey” by Terresa Bateman. Students were tasked with writing an essay about what disguise would camouflage a turkey the most discreetly. 

The best part? Principal Christopher Barrie and Marissa Cavellero dressed up as the students’ turkey disguises! All around Washingtonville, students and staff have been eagerly gearing up for Thanksgiving, expressing their appreciation for one another.