Presents, a lunch featuring nine turkeys and 80 pounds of mashed potatoes, and a visit from Santa. All in all, not a bad day for students at Palmer Elementary School on Friday.
The 13th annual Palmer Holiday Luncheon coupled with Curriculum Day to provide students with a day of fun and a message.
“This year’s theme is the gift of kindness. Usually Curriculum Day has an academic theme but we thought it was important to show kids the importance of being kind to others,” said 5th-grade teacher Denise Lang.
Children spent the day making gifts for their family, using supplies teachers purchased for their classrooms. Gifts included snowglobes and painted ornaments.
“It’s really a day about making memories for the kids,” said Mrs. Lang.
The memories continued during the luncheon. High school mentors escorted the elementary students to the gym for lunch. Teachers, administrators and parents prepared the meal and served the students, and members of the maintenance and food services staff.
“It’s a day we can say thank you,” said Curriculum Instructor/AIS Service Provider Rhonda Ashley, who organized the event. “We’re a big family here and we want to come together and celebrate all of the things we’re thankful for.”
The meal ended with a visit from Santa, who handed out candy canes to the students. The Holiday Luncheon has become a much-anticipated tradition at the school.
“As the kids see the food being delivered and peek into the gym to see it prepared for the lunch, they’re excited. It’s an event they really look forward to,” said Ashley.