The food for the needy had been collected and donated. The school-wide luncheon had been prepared. But the highlight of the Academy’s Thanksgiving celebration was the program they prepared and presented for each each other.

The Montessori students started the program as they recited “Five Little Pilgrims “ and sang “We’ll be Giving Thanks” while attired as miniature pilgrims. Armenian teacher Ms. Ovsanna Sajonian was a stand-in pianist, adding to her list of many talents.

First grade students sang and signed (in sign language) the song “Happy Thanksgiving Day to You” to the tune of Happy Birthday. They personalized it by naming their favorite food. (Did someone say lobster?!)

“The Five Things I’m Thankful For”, was recited by the sixth grade class who wrote original poems with topics ranging from nature to one’s brother to friendship.

Fourth grade students entertained their school mates with a singing puppet show, where fellow puppets amended their Thanksgiving song to include Jesus along with the parades, football games and pilaf.

The Junior level communicated their thanks as seventh grade students recited original Thanksgiving poems and the eighth grade class recited “The Road not Taken”.             

Jokes were the theme for the fifth grade class which expressed its thankfulness with a sense of humor. What is a pilgrim’s favorite music? Plymouth rock! Why was the turkey allowed to join band? Because he had drumsticks!

The poem “Thanksgiving,” was recited by the second grade students who also sang “We are Thankful” to the tune of Frére Jacques, demonstrating their thanks for family and friends.

 “The Thanksgiving Story” was a play performed by the Academy’s third grade class. Students narrated and demonstrated how Indians helped the pilgrims plant crops, how they shared food and taught the newcomers’ games.

The common theme through all the performances was giving thanks to God and teaching us all the real reason for Thanksgiving. As wonderful as the program was, the luncheon that followed was a triumphant finale. Not many schools can boast of a meal where the Parent Teacher Council cooks enough food to feed the entire school and where teachers sit side by side with their students. That’s the real beauty of the Academy family.