By DEBBIE ROSEN
Students celebrate a special Thanksgiving feast
It was a night unlike any other -- a night of giving thanks. Parents, peers, teachers and administrators, led by one unique teacher, met to celebrate ten special students.
Thursday, Nov. 9, marked the 10th year of the middle school's Thanksgiving Feast, which grew out of one teacher's dedication to her special-skills students into a school-wide affair. Some 200 people filled the school's cafeteria to feast and honor teacher Penny Ellis' students.
When Ms. Ellis conceived the concept of the feast a decade ago, her
students were part of an ungraded primary-school special-education classroom at the Fulton Avenue Elementary School. For the last three years, inclusion has allowed them to branch out and become a more integrated part of the school family. Throughout the year, Ms. Ellis' students are helped along by other students as part of a big-buddy program.
And the big buddies learn from the experience, too. Eighth-grader Adam Hirsch spoke about his special pal, Eido Rabinovich. "I've always wanted a little brother who would look up to me and try to copy what I do, and thanks to Mrs. Ellis' class, I have found someone who is like a brother to me," Adam said, as his mother Donna looked on sobbing with pride.
"Eido makes me feel important and special. Sometimes I see him copy everything I do; he even tries to walk like me. That makes me work hard and act responsible, knowing everything I do is important to someone else. I want to thank Eido and everyone in Mrs. Ellis' class for making me feel important. It helps make my days great in the middle school."
Principal Enid D'Arrigo was unable to hide her smile when speaking of having the special-skills children at her school. She praised Ms. Ellis' efforts and undying devotion to students. "These students are such a part of our hearts, our being, our souls, and our spirits," Ms. D'Arrigo said. "Their teacher, Penny Ellis, is a person about whom I simply cannot say enough. She and her students have wormed their way into everyone's heart."
Among the pre-food festivities was a performance by the cheerleading squad, including the girls in Ms. Ellis' class. Under the guidance of advisor and Special Education teacher Lisa Silkowitz, no one missed a move, or a beat, but the hearts in the audience sure skipped several. Ms. Ellis' right-hand woman, Mary Bores, beamed as she gazed upon the vision of children so involved with other children.
School psychologist Dr. David Fleisher also got the night going when he, with guitar in hand, called upon the ten celebrated students. For a blues song, students put on sunglasses, then belted out lyrics to a song they wrote, titled "Happy Blues." Their words spoke of not being "blue around you," as one-by-one they pointed out to the audience of family and friends.
"I can't put it into words," said Paula Bocchicchio, social studies teacher. "It's so rewarding to see my students integrate, and I see the rewards my students come out with are just as grand as the ones these students in Penny Ellis' class receive."
As the turkeys cooked by Fran Slovin, home and careers teacher, quickly disappeared from plates piled high, Jessica Portnoy, a student in Ms. Ellis' class, reflected on what she is most thankful for this Thanksgiving. "I'm thankful for my mom and dad, my sister and brother," she said.
"I'm also thankful for my teacher, Ms. Ellis ... 'cause she's the best."
