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Overcast Oceanside’s ENL students hold Thanksgiving Feast
Annual event serves as School No. 5 tradition
As part of a long-standing tradition at North Oceanside School No. 5, students in the district’s English as a New Language class held a Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 18. for their parents, community members, and administrators.
Dozens flocked to the school’s gymnasium for the event, which predates the 13-year tenure of Dr. David Rose, director of the district’s World Languages department.
“This is an incredible experience for us every year,” said Rose. “It’s the core of who we are. We are many people from many different backgrounds coming together and celebrating unity, celebrating our great country, and breaking bread together. It is a magical experience.”
The young students sang God Bless America and a song about what they were thankful for, before giving the history behind Thanksgiving and how the holiday has evolved. English as a New Language teacher Cristina DeDomenico said her class had been preparing for the event throughout November, and added that the children helped cook some of the food served at the feast, which they made in the school’s kitchen earlier that week. The turkey and mashed potatoes were ordered from Oceanside High School’s cafeteria, she added.
“It’s just an opportunity for the students to celebrate Thanksgiving, sometimes for the first time, with their families,” DeDomenico told the Herald. “It’s an opportunity for them to celebrate an American holiday in an open environment that’s very comfortable, non-threatening, and they are able to share a tradition of America.”
The class consists of immigrant children, or those from multilingual households, DeDomenico said. Schools Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Harrington, Board of Education members and parents came to watch the program, as children then helped serve all adults in attendance.
“It’s quite overwhelming the amount of support we receive from our parents, and the kids are so incredibly in to this event,” Principal Scott Bullis said. “They really have immersed themselves in learning more about what this holiday means for everybody.”
