The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
KIDS GIVE THANKS
Celebration of gratitude: Students most grateful for family, friends and Mr. Jingle
As part of Nov. 13-19’s American Education Week, members of the Colonial Education Association suggested Colonial School District students “celebrate…by
sharing your gratitude for what you have by creating ‘pocket appreciation notes.’” The idea, as explained in CSD’s community newsletter: “Take a small piece of paper and write down what you are grateful for and stick it in your pocket or pass it along to someone who needs a little reminder of good things.”
Standout teachers, interesting books, family and friends were among CEA’s examples of the latter. As Thanksgiving approaches, what else might local students add to a list of “good things”?
Although this family’s youngest member — seven-year-old Henry — is most thankful to Playmobil for “my Burnham Raiders Fortress,” family and
friends ranked high for most of the other kids surveyed, including Plymouth Meeting neighbors Will and Tommy Verica and Leron and Clarissa Goddard. Ditto, Royersford siblings Aubrey and Emeline Lim.
Will, 12: “I am most grateful for having a great mom.”
Tommy, 7: “I’m most grateful for my family.”
Leron, 13: “I’m most thankful for life and the opportunities I have…at school and through music…living in this neighborhood, my friends, my dog Milo and my parents.”
Clarissa, 10: “I’m thankful for being alive and being happy…and my family.”
Aubrey, 5: “I am most thankful for God, my sister and my brother, my friends, Christmas and Thanksgiving.”
Emeline, 7: “I am most thankful for my family, my friends, school…our home, trees, water and food.”
Plymouth Meeting tots Oliver and Lady Tlush were more specific.
Oliver, 4: “My grandmother because she gives me Oreos and shows me
Emeline and Aubrey Lim
how to dunk them in milk.”
Lady, 3: “Santa. I like to write him letters so he can bring me toys.”
Family also got high marks from high school and middle school students in Norristown-based Expressive Path’s Community Creators program.
Jayni Desai: “I am grateful to have a nice house and a caring family.”
Sarai Marks: “I’m grateful for my family, friends and Expressive Path.”
Morgan Martin: “I am most thankful for my family. I am lucky to have them.”
Akilyah: “I’m thankful for my family and friends and God and life.”
Janelly: “I am thankful for my family and being blessed with my abilities.”
Madison Vecere: “I am thankful for my family and the food that is on the table every day.”
Janeth Trejo: “I’m thankful for my family and friends.”
Luzclarita Vasquez Ramirez is “thankful for… myself”; fellow Community Creators student Ariel, “for my skin and the blood that I bleed. I am thankful for my soul and the rhymes I conceive.”
Meanwhile, Savannah Bartsche gave a special nod to her favorite feline.
“I’m thankful for my cat, Mr. Jingle,” she said.
Additional information about National Education Association’s American Education Week is available at www.nea.org.