To: Parents of Buchanan Fourth & Fifth Graders

From:  Fourth & Fifth Grade Teachers

Topic: “THANKSGIVING FEAST”

Dear Parents,

 Again this year we are attempting to have a “THANKSGIVING FEAST” in fourth & fifth grade.  We are willing to attempt this with this year’s class because of the unique learning experience the “THANKSGIVING FEAST” offers our fourth & fifth graders.   It is our hope that this event will teach our students the importance of cooperation, team work and goal setting.  It will also give them a first hand experience in the use of all twelve of the character traits as described below:

           Adaptability - group cooperation and participation.
           Compassion - preparing a meal for others who may not have one
           Contemplation - thinking how their actions will affect participation in the Feast
           Courage - facing new situations or trying something new
           Honesty - trusting in others, to make the Feast come together
           Initiative - being responsible to volunteer as a helper for the Feast
           Loyalty - carrying out their part in the Feast and being faithful to their word
           Optimism - doing positive things to accomplish their goal of participation in the Feast
           Perseverance - working toward the goal of participation in the Feast
           Respect - showing consideration of other’s ideas and different ways of doing things
           Responsibility - doing their job or part to make the Feast a success
           Trustworthiness - trust others to do their part to make the Feast a success

The procedure for your child’s participation in this “THANKSGIVING FEAST” is described on page three (3) of this letter.  Your child is to keep the third page as a reference and a guide to how they earn their participation in this “THANKSGIVING FEAST”.    

With all of those items in mind, that brings us to what we consider the most important part of this letter and that is your willingness to help as parents.   Please review pages two (2) and four (4) of this letter to see how you can help.

Thank you

“THANKSGIVING FEAST”

Donations Needed

 In order to keep the cost of our "THANKSGIVING FEAST”   down, we are asking for as many donations as possible.   Listed below are some of the items that will be needed, and we are sure there are some that we have forgotten.  Please review this list and mark any items you might be willing to donate.  Also, please feel free to add suggestions that we may have forgotten.  This would be a good way for parents to help in this “THANKSGIVING FEAST”, especially for those that can not help due to other commitments.  Please return as soon as possible!

Thank you

Please detach and return the bottom of this page

indicating what you can donate to our Feast.

Form due by Monday, November 7, 2005

Student’s Name _________________________ Teacher’s Name _________________________

Volunteer’s Name ________________________ Phone Number _________________________

_____  Large Roaster or Crock Pots                _____  Pumpkin (enough twelve (12) pies listed) _____  Cranberries (about 75 servings)            _____  Turkey (We need three 12 pound turkeys)
_____  Canned Corn (about 75 servings)          _____  Plastic Silverware (about 75)
_____  Canned Gravy (about 75)                     _____  Cups (about 75)
_____  Beverage (about 75)                             _____  Stove Top Stuffing (about 75)
_____  Potatoes                                               _____  Napkins
_____  Paper Table Cloths                               _____ Whipped Topping
_____  I would be willing to donate any items needed (once you know what is                                     needed or missing from the original list)

Space to list all those items we may have forgotten!

 THANKSGIVING FEAST

Student’s Name____________________________

In order to participate in this year’s Feast you must earn all of the ingredients to make the pumpkin pie as described below.  All the ingredients must be earned by Monday, November 21, 2005.   Students will place their ingredients in their pie shell as they earn them.  Permission to place your ingredients in your pie shell must come from a teacher or student teacher.  This procedure will be explained in class to the students.  If you do not understand, please ask your child.

            Ingredient                     How it is earned

            Pumpkin                       Name all ingredients in a pumpkin pie.
            Nutmeg                        Do something nice for a family member. (written and signed)
            Milk                             Drink all of your milk at lunch.
            Ginger                          Have all of your homework done three days in row
            Cinnamon                     Share a family tradition either Thanksgiving or Christmas.
            Salt                              Write a Thanksgiving Poem.
            Egg                              Get a 100% on any paper.
            Sugar                           Say something sweet to someone. (That you really mean

Pumpkin Pie Participation
(Each student must do the following)

1. Cut out your pumpkin pie shell.
2. Put your name on the bottom of the shell.
3. Follow the directions for earning each of the ingredients, and as they are earned you are to place
         them on your pie shell.
4.  If you have earned all ingredients by lunch time on Monday, November 21, 2005, you can help
          make the pumpkin pies.
5. If you have earned all eight (8) ingredients by lunchtime on Wednesday,

            November 23, 2005, you can participate in the “THANKSGIVING FEAST.”   

 Parent Volunteers

            Parent Volunteers are needed for the items listed below.  If you can help with any of these please place your name and phone number in the correct space.  You will be contacted as soon as possible about how we can use your help.  We will contact you either by phone or through your child.  Please feel free to volunteer as many times as possible. Please return as soon as possible!

 Pumpkin Pie   - This will be done on Monday, November 21, 2005. (1:00 -3:00)

 Preparation of a Turkey -This will need to be done in your home sometime before November 23,
     2005. The Turkey will need to be de-boned, so we can place it in a crock pot on Wednesday,
     November 23, 2005.

Stuffing - This can be done at home or we can do it at school.  Stove top is the easiest for us to use.
      This should be precooked so that we can place the stuffing in a crock pot.  Please bring  to school
        before 9:00

Potatoes - These can be instant or regular mashed potatoes.   They should be precooked so that  we
         can place them in a crock pot.  Please bring to school before 9:00

Corn - This can be done at home or we can do it at school.  This should be precooked so that we can
          place the corn in a crock pot.  Please bring to school before 9:00

Helping on Feast Day - This is any parent or adult that is willing to help on feast day. 

     Please complete the information listed below

Please detach and return the bottom of this page
indicating how you can help with our Feast.

Form due by Monday, November 7, 2005

Student’s Name _________________________ Teacher’s Name _________________________

Volunteer’s Name ________________________ Phone Number _________________________

I am willing to prepare the item(s) circled below
and will deliver it to Buchanan as described on this page.

Turkey             Stuffing           Potatoes           Corn                Cranberry