http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school We resisted last year! While the entire school had a very large feast at the school on Thanks giving, our 2nd grade paents decided to involve children in making baskets with food to donate. This year, there were many other parents who shared my views and backed me up when I told the teacher that we'd rather make baskets for families in need then "waste" food at the school! How are you celebrating Thanksgiving at your school?? What have you done to involve children and make them understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving?? GreatSchools en-us debrasuefitzge i agree with you nijabb theres nothing wrong with doing both,its agood experience for the children. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=1#comment_293068 5100.293068 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:22:17 -0800 nljabb I don't see anything wrong with doing both. On the one hand, the children get to experience an enjoyable feast/celebration with their classmates and teachers. A class feast may introduce ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=1#comment_293067 5100.293067 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:18:34 -0800 makemesane I beleive that making baskets for the needy is a great idea. The idea should spread to all schools. Children learn what caring and sharing is all about that way. ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=1#comment_293053 5100.293053 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:01:21 -0800 homemom this is what careing is all about,those childrens should be pround. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=1#comment_292962 5100.292962 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:34:36 -0800 GracesMom There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a Thanksgiving celebration AND gathering food for those who are struggling. Our school collected food last week to make baskets for those in need. ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=1#comment_292887 5100.292887 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:57:12 -0800 lillian12 Eccentric,What a fantastic idea! http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=2#comment_292729 5100.292729 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:43:35 -0800 debrasuefitzge im for having thanksgiving feast in school,i think its a good way to show kids how to be thankful.my daughtes school had a turkey dinner at school last wed.i went ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=2#comment_292610 5100.292610 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:45:50 -0800 AntoinetteP I'm definitely for having a Thanksgiving feast for children at school. It's a nice way for the kids to celebrate Thanksgiving in a traditional way. Also I think by having ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=2#comment_291168 5100.291168 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:51:48 -0800 eccentric Just a quick update on those baskets we've been making at the school. We collected all the canned goods for the food basket along with some kind of cookies for ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=2#comment_289466 5100.289466 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:14:50 -0800 tobbyandlui At my children school, they have a can drive for donations, I haven't heard of any feast for Thanksgiving at their school. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=2#comment_289389 5100.289389 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:18:57 -0800 tobbyandlui I explained to my kids the reason why Thanksgiving is celebrated. I am not against having a Thanksgiving feast, but I agree with eccentric, in making food baskets for the http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=3#comment_289388 5100.289388 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:16:14 -0800 debrasuefitzge chinkrandolph,i agree with you totally about thanksgiving.you are doing a wonderful thing for thanksgiving.there are so many people who have nothing and so many who dont have anything to eat ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=3#comment_289368 5100.289368 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:44:56 -0800 chinkrandolph The true meaning of Thanksgiving is to be thankful for what you have and what you are about to be bless with.I`m so very thankful for my freedom of giving ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=3#comment_289322 5100.289322 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:49:31 -0800 TheRedFrog The activities at my kids' school is not that focused or centralized. I am still trying to get past the vague response I got from the school administrators about how ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=3#comment_273061 5100.273061 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:40:40 -0700 2kidss I think its great to have a feast in honor of Thanksgiving. It is always nice to be thankful and remember the pilgrims. Its history and tradition. Kids enjoy parties ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=3#comment_272923 5100.272923 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:58:00 -0700 Janette I've heard of schools that do a historically correct Thanksgiving feast-- eel pie, stewed pumpkin, that kind of thing. They play games that the Piligrims would have played and sometimes ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=4#comment_272107 5100.272107 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:44:17 -0700 goodcop16 I'm for having a feast at school for Thanksgiving. It is a time when parents and the students can get together. The school my children attend, has a school play ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=4#comment_271042 5100.271042 Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:08:47 -0700 aun77ron i am not against having a thanksgiving feast at school,but some children parents are not able to attend, so collecting food goods and donations to give to charitable organization everyone ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=4#comment_270887 5100.270887 Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:48:18 -0700 SaraPamB Yes, Thanksgiving is about everyone sharing in our Freedom and hope,,, all children should be taught that we are all family, "under G-d, indivisbible...." http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=4#comment_269429 5100.269429 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:25:37 -0700 jillscott We are having a grocery bingo. You spend 10.00 and the PTO is making up 25 bags of groceries. Every time you bingo you win a bag of groceries. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=4#comment_269249 5100.269249 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:00:18 -0700 Anonymous The school I worked at did the same thing. We also delivered the Thanksgiving baskets to the homes of our students. We also had parent volunteers who made the feast ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=5#comment_268980 5100.268980 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:33:16 -0700 tobbyandlui I think is also great to donate for families in need, or make a special basket from donations. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=5#comment_268966 5100.268966 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:22:16 -0700 tobbyandlui I think is a great thing to do, yummy, I love to eat, is a special time you spend with your children. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=5#comment_268963 5100.268963 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:18:35 -0700 ntemol What is Local Food Pantry? Do they have them in every county? I may want to get my kids to help this year. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=5#comment_268879 5100.268879 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:57:24 -0700 Mandolyn My son's private school always has a big expensive feast that we the parents must pay for. They send a letter home with the statement, "If you need financial assistance, ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=5#comment_268732 5100.268732 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:46:26 -0700 Marcyc I think it is fantastic when school's can share a piece of history and holiday's with children. I know in our school they teach the children everything. It is important ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=6#comment_268708 5100.268708 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:16:19 -0700 Marjala All of the replies are great. My child's school actually prepared a feast in 4th grade. A turkey was donated and teachers built a pit and began roasting it about ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=6#comment_268707 5100.268707 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:08:10 -0700 ntemol While this school feast may be a great idea for schools with most low income families, its a waste of food for wealthy school like eccentrics school. God bless your ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=6#comment_268684 5100.268684 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:26:13 -0700 1seremen Both! Your idea is similar to what we have in our school district. My daughter's school counselor request check from parents to help some of our special families.The counselor prefers ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=6#comment_268558 5100.268558 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:14:03 -0700 peacenut I think it is an excellent way to bring home the message about thankfulness and sharing. Since when is healthy food a bad thing? http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=6#comment_268539 5100.268539 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:34:10 -0700 eccentric kayrom1:I don't believe we deprived anybody last year. ALL parents from our 2nd grade unanimously agreed on not having that feast. Our teacher agreed with us at the time, while ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=7#comment_268518 5100.268518 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:47:59 -0700 janismommy I think this is great! since my daughter and i are going to be all alone for thanksgiving this year. think that they need to get the families involved when ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=7#comment_268458 5100.268458 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:41:43 -0700 Anonymous Your plan to do baskets is a good one, since this year ALL the parents agreed to do the same thing. Last year, you punished one class by not allowing ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=7#comment_268439 5100.268439 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:07:37 -0700 debrasuefitzge i think its a wonderful thing to let the kids have a thanksgiving feast at school.wheather everybody believes in this holiday are not. it lets people show thanks for what ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=7#comment_268370 5100.268370 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:39:10 -0700 amiris1 I don't have a problem with it at all. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=7#comment_268363 5100.268363 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:33:04 -0700 eccentric buck...thanks! :) http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=8#comment_268352 5100.268352 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:27:00 -0700 buckaroo eccentric,What a wonderful way to celebrate! The way you have the children involved is great! http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=8#comment_268311 5100.268311 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:21:06 -0700 eccentric Well, if your school has students from less priviledged homes, it makes sense for parents to organize a feast/meal for the kids. Most of the students in 3rd grade at ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=8#comment_268299 5100.268299 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:09:59 -0700 kenskorupski I think it is an excellent idea. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=8#comment_268217 5100.268217 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:39:33 -0700 sbozarth23 I think it's a neat idea to let the kids have a Thanksgiving feast. Lot's of children from low income neighborhoods may not get to experience Thanksgiving in the traditional ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=8#comment_268123 5100.268123 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:27:42 -0700 msowder15 I think its nice to have a thanksgiving feast at school. I would hope that the children are educated on the meaning of Thanksgiving I know mine are. The baskets ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=9#comment_268081 5100.268081 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:07:07 -0700 debrasuefitzge i dont think is bad to have a thanksgiving feast at school. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=9#comment_268038 5100.268038 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:44:22 -0700 marvinljohn I don't think that kids eating a Thanksgiving meal at school could have any adverse consequences on their normal holiday meal. http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=9#comment_266058 5100.266058 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:44:57 -0700 Anonymous We had the Thanksgiving Feast before Thanksgiving. It was prepared by the wonderful volunteer moms & dads. The children dressed up (grades 1-3) If some students didn't have an outfit ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=9#comment_265619 5100.265619 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:45:37 -0700 DeborahHamilto Thanks buckaroo you make a lot of good sence in what you are writing on this page.I don't believe in wasteing food but I look at it this way.in this ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=9#comment_265516 5100.265516 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:51:36 -0700 MagnetMom Eccentric,It sounds like your feast was the victim of good intentions once the mom got a restaurant got involved. Ours has always been a simple affair with parents bringing just ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=10#comment_265504 5100.265504 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:39:43 -0700 buckaroo rbtfruiii,The "feasts" at school are not actually ON Thanksgiving, as school is not in session.... it would be done a day or two BEFORE the actualy holiday. It would have ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=10#comment_265472 5100.265472 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:53:34 -0700 rbtfruiii AGAINST! Why, well it is because I have always shared that meal with my friends and family. I'm not saying its wrong in every situation but mothers and fathers as ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=10#comment_265430 5100.265430 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:02:10 -0700 eccentric buckaroo,The school staff didn't cook anything at all! The food was all donated by parents. One of the parents got food donated by one of the restaurants as well. It ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=10#comment_265379 5100.265379 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:52:23 -0700 buckaroo I know at my kids schools, they would actually make paper pilgrim and indian costumes (their choice) and then get their "harvest meal" at lunchtime. The emphasis was always on ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=10#comment_265361 5100.265361 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:36:35 -0700 Melodey Why can'nt we try to do both because their are children at school that this is their only thanksgiving meal.If they belive or not in thanksgiving, it is a meal ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=11#comment_265345 5100.265345 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:09:48 -0700 DeborahHamilto It all depends weather the families came out to eat at the school.if parents and kids came out I am for it to let them eat and take some home ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=11#comment_265339 5100.265339 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:45:09 -0700 eccentric According to the my son's third grade teacher, the syllabus includes quite a lot of information on Pilgrims and Indians. They have been taught since kindergarten and they will keep ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=11#comment_265059 5100.265059 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:59:26 -0700 Anonymous My kids never did any kind of Thanksgiving class event past elementary school. I doubt anyone is thinking of this as anything happening in grades beyond elementary years. In my ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=11#comment_265017 5100.265017 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:24:30 -0700 MSMomm While I agree that having a Thanksgiving feast at school for friendship and food is an excellent experience, logistically, it doesn’t work in all schools. It doesn’t make sense for ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=11#comment_264978 5100.264978 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:25:54 -0700 Anonymous I know I was thankful to see my kids eating those "surprise" foods at their class feasts! ;-) http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=12#comment_264970 5100.264970 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:05:00 -0700 MagnetMom I'm with Buck and kayrom1 on this issue.My son's Kindergarten Thanksgiving meal was 13 years ago, and my daughter's was 2 years ago. They both learned a ton in those ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=12#comment_264926 5100.264926 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:11:55 -0700 Anonymous "What have you done to involve children and make them understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving??" What exactly is the "true" meaning of Thanksgiving? I would say that it probably ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=12#comment_264894 5100.264894 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:25:55 -0700 buckaroo I guess I don't see "re-enacting" the harvest celebration between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians as a waste of food. Don't the kids need to eat lunch anyway? This ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=12#comment_264891 5100.264891 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:22:57 -0700 MSMomm Last year my son's school collected canned goods to be given to needy organizations. Other than that, his individual classrooms didn't do anything special. I don't know at this time ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/264760/Are-you-for-or-against-having-Thanksgiving-feasts-for-children-at-school?cpage=12#comment_264851 5100.264851 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:20:55 -0700