Members of Stewart's 5th grade band performed Thanksgiving selections on November 25th for visiting parents and friends. "Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go...," sharply clear and gleefully loud the lyrics rang out as students in Garden City's primary and elementary schools celebrated Thanksgiving 2008 on November 23rd, 24th and 25th with concerts, plays, recitations, and feasts. Thanksgiving, a time for families and friends to gather and give thanks, is celebrated in many countries around the world, as well as right here in Garden City. Students at each of the elementary and primary schools studied the holiday, reading books, creating costumes and handcrafts, and practicing songs and skits for performances to mark the holiday.

Stratford second graders and Stewart third graders invited family, friends and classmates to their Thanksgiving programs of band selections, songs and skits, while PTA, parents and classroom teachers at Hemlock, Homestead and Locust prepared holidays feasts for their students and family guests. Yummy aromas filled the schools' halls as children, family members and guests awaited the classroom feasts. After costumed kindergarten and first graders sang and pantomimed giggly renditions of "Albuquerque Turkey" and other favorites, children eagerly shared a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, stuffing, corn and pumpkin bread, and other seasonal delights with family, classmates and teachers.

Second graders at the Stratford School led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of their Thanksgiving program.

With the help of teachers and parents, kindergartners at the Hemlock School carefully followed recipes, measuring and mixing batter for loaves of pumpkin bread to share with their Thanksgiving guests. These Stewart School third grade performers knew what they wanted for Thanksgiving - TURKEY! "When you sit down with your family before your Thanksgiving meal, stop for a moment to think about your animal friends. Somewhere outside in the woods or field they, too, may be offering thanks for Thanksgiving Day," recited this Pilgrim during Hemlock's first grade Thanksgiving play. Classroom Thanksgiving feasts at the Locust School had moms, dads, siblings, and grandparents sharing the yummy foods prepared by students, parents and teachers. First graders in Mrs. Anne Hayes class listened to Thanksgiving stories before sharing their own writings of what they were thankful for. These Homestead students from Mrs. Kristen Thompson's class enjoyed singing their "turkey" songs for classroom guests before their holiday feast. Mrs. Mary Golner's kindergarten class at Homestead enthusiastically sang for their Thanksgiving guests. On November 26th, second graders entertained their guests with songs of the season.