Giving Thanks!

Every year, we surprise the Harmony Team kids with a Thanksgiving breakfast feast.  Some of the things that we try to teach over the course of the year are service, appreciation for what we have, and a sense of community.  As the year goes on, we see evidence that our kids are picking up on these values. During the holiday season, it is important to take some time to reflect on who we are and what we have.  Both Melissa and I appreciate the kids that we teach and the environment in which we teach.

The feast is a big surprise for the kids.  We plot and plan, collect donations from parents, and buy whatever is not donated.  On the morning of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving each year, we set up our breakfast buffet in the school cafeteria.  When the kids come to their first core class with us, they are greeted by angry principals (they are acting, of course).  Students are told that we will march down to the cafeteria and practice how to clean and pick up after ourselves.  Needless to say, when the cafeteria doors are opened, the kids see many of their parents and a huge buffet of food waiting for them.  This year, we were able to trick them and keep the secret until the doors were opened.  The most fun part for us is seeing the looks on the kids' faces when they finally realize what is happening.  Score! - Don