Kentwood — Meadowlawn Elementary fifth-graders took to their stations in front of steaming pans of turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes and plenty of other Thanksgiving staples to dish out to their younger peers.
“I hope they enjoy it and have fun like I did when I used to be a new student,” said fifth-grader Shekinah Manadanda, who comes from Congo. “I want to meet new students and help them find what food for Thanksgiving that they like.”
Nineteen multilingual fifth-graders who have attended Meadowlawn in previous school years served 63 fellow multilingual students who are new to Meadowlawn in grades young fives through fifth grade.
Some arrived in the United States very recently, said English-language learner teacher Kelly Sanchez.
A tradition at the school, fifth-graders who are former newcomers themselves serve the new students, introducing them to a traditional Thanksgiving while emphasizing thankfulness and sharing a meal together.
The new students will someday be the hosts. “As fifth-graders, they all get to come back and serve,” Sanchez said.
Before the big event, students talk about traditions in their own countries that involve food and gatherings, said ELL teacher Missy Thomson.
“Food brings people together,” she said. “This year we said how thankful we are for them, because they do have different cultures and foods that they bring to their table. … A lot of them talk about sharing meals with their families and how important it is to go and see their relatives that they don’t always get to see.”
Staff make and bring in the food to share, and students said they loved the food and time to celebrate.
“People can talk about how grateful they are for today, and have a feast, whether they do or don’t celebrate Thanksgiving,” said fifth-grader Thang Khai, who comes from Myanmar.
Fifth-grader Yerrlin Motos-Lopez, from the Dominican Republic, said he was glad to have the chance to serve.
“I hope they really enjoy the food. This is a special day that we hope they can enjoy and they can be thankful for everything.”
Read more from Kentwood:
• District launches ‘Through the Eyes of Our Students’ series
• KIDS program offers educators ‘passion projects’ for benefit of elementary students
