Students across Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen embraced the spirit of American Education Week and Thanksgiving with a variety of hands-on lessons, creative projects, and schoolwide celebrations.
James A. Dever Elementary School classrooms buzzed with excitement as students explored the popular seasonal book How to Catch a Turkey. After reading, students applied STEM skills to design and build their own “turkey traps,” using problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity to bring the story to life. The activity combined literacy with engineering concepts, giving students a memorable and educational holiday-themed challenge.
Students at Howell Road Elementary School expressed their artistic talents through several Thanksgiving projects. Each student designed and decorated their own colorful paper turkey feather, contributing to a large collaborative turkey display showcased proudly in the school hallway. Students also crafted individual paper turkeys and completed a Balloons Over Broadway worksheet, connecting the holiday with the history of the iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Meanwhile, Willow Road Elementary School brought the Thanksgiving spirit outdoors as students participated in their very own Thanksgiving parade around the school building. Students marched with festive decorations and handmade crafts, celebrating gratitude, creativity, and school pride in a joyful community event.
