As part of a Thanksgiving-themed project, fifth-grade students were given the opportunity to write a personal letter thanking an individual teacher or staff member for their efforts and those letters were then displayed for several weeks in November on a hallway bulletin board outside their classrooms.
“It’s all about helping our students develop a grateful heart and to understand the importance of taking the time to say thank-you to the people in our lives who care about us and want the best for us,” said 5th grade teacher Bethany Kiefer, who initiated the “I am Thankful For…” project several years ago. The students completed the project as a language arts assignment, but it also included an artistic component with students creatively coloring fall leaves at the top of each letter.
Some of the teachers and staff who are highlighted in the letters include band director Tim Rosie, school nurse Carrie Jorgenson, custodial staff member Doug Pearson, teacher’s aide Dara Kimmerley, Elementary Principal Gail Alford, and Steve Thomas, owner of Town & Country Cafe, who caters the school’s daily hot lunches. Kiefer said each person highlighted in a letter also received an email telling them about their letter and encouraging them to come and view it on the bulletin board.
