“War is not here”
“No sirens are warning us of air raids”
and the last line
“We wish all children could be glad and safe.”
In all-school activity groups on Tuesday students wrote what they are thankful for on strips of colored paper – now displayed in the lobby. (Family, friends and pets feature strongly.)
As reported by the Poughkeepsie New Yorker evening edition for November 21 1941 they did the same thing 68 years ago. It was before Pearl Harbor but the world was at war and the children knew it.
They were thankful for being safe, for the army, the navy, and for for living in a democracy where they could “cooperate to defend their country’. They were thankful for the freedom to worship God and criticize the president without being put in a concentration camp.
On the same page as the PDS story are two accounts of a torpedo boat fight. The German high command version is quite different from the British Admiralty story.
For pictures of our activities on Tuesday – check the Flickr feed. In addition to making the list we also had pumpkin squares baked by the fifth and sixth grades and sang the now traditional “Thank-you” song written by students for the original musical “Life on Earth” in 1999. The story was the quite wonderfulGiving Thanks by Jonathan London beautifully illustrated by Gregory Manchess. Thank you Robbie Puglisi and the kindergarten class for bringing it to my attention.
Robbie Puglisi Says:
November 29, 2009 at 6:12 pm e
Our Thanksgiving all school activity at PDS was a perfect example of multiage children coming together to celebrate and reflect on the important things in life. It was especially touching to observe the older students taking charge of this activity: leading discussion, helping little ones with writing, serving food, and gathering us all together to join our larger school community. I am so very thankful for these wonderful children in my life.
Robbie Puglisi
Josie Holford Says:
November 29, 2009 at 7:19 pm e
It really was a great celebration of what matters most. And that Jonathan London book made for a perfect reading. Thank you for putting it in my hands on Tuesday.
December 1, 2009 at 10:34 pm e
Great list of what to be thankful for as an educational leader at Edweek http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/LeaderTalk/
1. Working with people who enjoy their job and have a positive attitude. Especially those folks who are over 40 and aren’t counting the years out loud until they can retire.
2. Connecting with kids. To be honest, I couldn’t work only with adults all day, every day. I need the challenges and rewards that kids bring.
3. Parents who are supportive and don’t leave us alone in the village to raise their child.
4. Creative and collaborative thinking that solves problems.
5. People who make me laugh. Really laugh. I couldn’t do this job if laughing was prohibited.
Ok, it’s your turn. What five things are you thankful for while in your leadership position?
Reggie Engebritson