A Teenage Thanksgiving

This year my principal, Lynn, decided that we were going to have mandatory fun days once per quarter. During quarter one we had a picnic lunch outside on a nice day. The kids loved it. They got to have teenage recess, which we all know is good for the teenage soul.  I am really thankful for a place like Harris where kids who need the extra attention can easily find it.  The kids bond with each other, respecting each other and their personalities. Many of our students come from homes that just haven't been able to provide all that they have needed growing up, or where they have not been given appropriate boundaries. We attempt to help them adjust to having boundaries before we send them off after graduation to a job, college or technical training.

We are tested every day by these fierce, independent, free thinking teenagers. Many of them don't celebrate a "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner, so this year Lynn decided to throw them a full Thanksgiving feast with the help of our awesome cafeteria staff. Turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.

The students loved it. A couple of the teachers also had "craft stations" prepared where the kids could make hand turkeys and write thankful cards.

One of our teachers, Carolyn, then hung them up in the lobby. I loved reading them, because I know that deep down, these often troubled teens have good hearts and they are thankful. Most of them were thankful for a school like Harris where they feel accepted and supported, and as the student in the above card wrote, " I am grateful for . . . the family I have that's not blood."

One of our other teachers Holly went out and bought $5 gift cards and taped pictures to the bottom of the plates, and whoever found them got to choose one of the gift cards (teenage popular places like McDonald's and Taco Bell, of course!).

Mandatory fun days are not just for "killing time because the kids have checked out before break" (although that is a side benefit). Mandatory fun days are also for practicing social interactions and relieving stress by just visiting with each other. As one student said to me at the end of the day, "I like this school way better than the high school." Yay for Harris!