Thanksgiving Table Fellowship: Parents Join Students for Lunch at Muñoz Elementary
by Debbie Winslow
December 06, 2009
Over 150 family members attended Muñoz Elementary’s annual Thanksgiving Luncheon, held on Tuesday, November 24.
With lunch times staggered for the different grades, some parents waited around, some came more than once, and some even took part of the day off from work to spend quality time with their children. It was all worth the effort.
“It was good because you can be with your parents,” second grader Enilda Rivera said. “My mom, dad, and tía came.”
The smiles of students and parents alike seemed to tell the whole story.
“It meant a lot to the kids,” teacher assistant Nora Castañeda said. “Many people don’t think it makes a difference, but to see their little eyes light up, that is special.”
The outstanding parent participation was not lost on the staff, some of whom did not get to eat with their own children. Castañeda was one of those.
“I couldn’t, but my mom came,” she said. “It all went very well.”
It went so well that the cafeteria ladies almost ran out of food.
“It was a tremendous turnout,” said Bea Leandro. “I had never seen so many parents at once…even when some had to get out of work.”
Her co-worker Rosa Torres agreed.
“Everything went well, thanks be to God,” Torres said. “I hope the people liked what we served.”
Another employee who appreciated the event was custodian Aaron Díaz, who was on duty during the lunch period.
“I had my family here, eating with Nathan and Kendra,” he said. “It was good, my son and my wife got to come.”
Most parents had been looking forward to the big day, and the great numbers bear that out. In fact, parents and staff both say they want more special occasions like this one.
“We should do something like this more often,” librarian Irene Ramírez said. “Maybe every three or four months…even programs with kids performing.”
Besides the cultural importance of the gathering, it was also appropriately educational. Parents were given an opportunity to view their children’s careers projects, which were judged the day before and available to the public.
The whole thing was “a very enriching experience for students to have their parents there,” reading specialist Susie Espericueta said. “Especially with the projects there for everyone to see.”
The luncheon presented school personnel with logistical and planning challenges, but Muñoz Elementary shone again.
“It ran very smoothly,” teaching assistant San Juanita Suárez concluded.
