Meadow Pond Elementary Celebrates Thanksgiving

By Sarah Studley

First-grade students at Meadow Pond Elementary School in South Salem shared history, entertained their parents through song and enjoyed some seasonal snacks during the annual Corn Festival on Nov. 24.

“It is so wonderful to see so many families here,” said Principal Carolann Castellano as she welcomed guests to the Corn Festival. “[The students] have been practicing so hard and they are so excited.”

Students were dressed in handmade outfits as Pilgrims and Native Americans for the celebration and performed a number of holiday-themed songs, including one involving American Sign Language signs, with the help of music teacher Melissa Richardson, who accompanied the students on the piano.

Between songs, students shared facts about the historic events leading up to the first Thanksgiving – including the Pilgrims’ arrival to Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower, Native Americans teaching the settlers how to plant corn and the friendship between the two groups that led to the historic meal that will be celebrated on Nov. 26.

The Corn Festival concluded with a meal shared between Meadow Pond’s young Pilgrims, Native Americans and their parents.

Photos: First-grade students at Meadow Pond Elementary School in South Salem celebrated the friendship between the Native Americans and Pilgrims leading up to the first Thanksgiving as part of the annual Corn Festival. Photo credit: Katonah-Lewisboro School District