The Wethersfield kindergarten students in Kyria Eastman’s and Shelley Gomez’s classes sat down to a Thanksgiving feast on Friday. It’s a school tradition the two teachers have continued to carry on together for the past four years.
The food is served in wooden bowls that are carefully unpacked each November from their shared storeroom, but neither Eastman nor Gomez knows exactly where they came from.
“They were here when I got here,” Mrs. Gomez said, and that was 15 years ago.
The food is a collaborative effort, said Ms. Eastman. Mrs. Gomez and she make the turkey and bring it in. The teachers’ aides add the sides of corn and potatoes that are prepared with items donated by the students. On the menu is turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, carrots and cornbread.
On Friday morning, the students spent time crafting their costumes that they would wear to the feast. Ms. Eastman’s class joined the feast, playing the role of Native Americans, while Mrs. Gomez’s class made pilgrim cuffs, collars and hats. Part of the morning activities included the students making small pumpkin pie desserts.
By a show of hands, students in Ms. Eastman’s class said turkey was their favorite Thanksgiving food, with potatoes and corn a close second. One student said she enjoyed stuffing, while one student said carrots were her favorite.
The feast took place on Wethersfield School District’s last school day before the holiday. This is the first year that the school district will take off an entire week for Thanksgiving.
