- Westminster Public Schools
- December 4 - Teacher Hosts 10th Annual ELD Thanksgiving Feast
D50 Insider 2014 - 15 Archives
- D50 Insider Archives Home
- May 21st Edition
- Governor Signs ‘Pay for Success’ Childhood Education Bill in District 50
- WHS Class of 2015 Graduates
- Sister Gives Grad a Surprise Gift
- WHS Seniors Honored
- Scott Carpenter Students ‘Rise Above’ in ASTRO-nomical Way
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Recognized
- ‘Fred Award’ Winners Eat Lunch with Fred
- D50 Says ‘Thank You’ to Retirees
- D50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- May 7th Edition
- Lawmakers Compromise on Money, Tests
- Alice Collins: Former Pro Golfer Recognized for English Language Program earners
- Zoë Driver, Elks Teacher of Year
- Next Generation Learning Takes Major Step Forward
- ‘RENT’ Nominated as Outstanding Overall Production
- Scott Carpenter Kids Shine at ‘Yess Breakfast’
- Class of 2015 Ready to Graduate
- Gillian Muniz Signs to Play College Basketball
- National Honor Society Inducts New Members
- Sunset Ridge Artist Celebrated at Rockies Game
- Fairview Celebrates Mexican Culture
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Recognized
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- April 23rd Edition
- Lawmakers Still Debating School Finance, Testing
- District 50 Receives Innovative Grant to Improve Early Childhood Education
- Students Send Anti-Drug Message on 4-20
- Alice Collins Named English Language Development Director of Year
- Brian Kosena Named New Principal at Tennyson Knolls Elementary
- Meet Karina Costas, Elks Teacher of the Year
- District Art Show Highlights Student Talents and Diverse Cultures
- Bob Landgraf Honored with Opportunity Fund in his Name
- WHS Plant Sale Starts Saturday
- Ed Foundation Golf Tournament is June 3rd
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- April 9th Edition
- Bob Landgraf Remembered as a Man Who Made a Difference
- Teachers of Year Named
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Recognized
- ‘Talking Topics’ Examines STEM Education at WHS
- “Riva Day” at Hodgkins, Money Raised
- Celebrate Art and Culture April 17
- Date Set for Retirement Celebration
- 2015-16 School Year to Begin August 19th
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar of Events
- March 12th Edition
- Girls’ B-Ball Team Honored at State Capitol
- 72nd Avenue Closed Next Week
- Sunset Ridge Receives ‘Foundations for Great Schools’ Award
- Retiring Principal of Tennyson Knolls Elementary Honored
- 2014-15 Celebrating Academic Excellence Winners
- Crown Pointe, STEM Academy Shine in Destination Imagination Competition
- Hodgkins Collects ‘Pennies for Patients’
- ‘RENT’ hits Westminster High Stage this Month
- ‘Westy Without Hate Week’ Begins Monday
- Artistic Achievements on Display at WHS
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- February 26th Edition
- Girls’ B-Ball Team Wins Conference, Host Playoff Game Friday
- Board Supports Funding Resolution
- Contract Negotiations in Public
- State Tests Begin in March
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Bring out Fans
- Student’s Help Build Sculpture for St. Anthony North Hospital
- Leggett Family Receives ‘Thanks of a Grateful Nation’
- Westy El Principal Loses Bet, Gets New Look
- A Tradition of Giving to D50 Families in Need
- ‘Celebrating Academic Excellence’ Moved to March 7
- Tickets for D50 Nuggets Night Available
- District 50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- February 12th Edition
- Spring Testing To Go Forward
- Superintendents Unite on Increased Funding
- Contract Negotiations Go Public
- Teacher Leadership Cabinet Meets for First Time
- English Learning Students Receive Grant
- Record Turnout for Tuition and Scholarship Fair
- HLHS Educator Breaks Ground in Teaching Holocaust
- Pedal Power Keeps Students Healthy
- Westy Celebrates Success
- Tickets for D50 Nuggets Night Available
- District 50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- January 29th Edition
- State of the District Speech Looks to Future
- Two ‘Fred’ Award Winners Named
- Metz Elementary Receives Book Donations
- District to Sell Roush Property
- Special Education Students Inspire Recycling Program
- Students Build ‘Retro’ Arcade Games at WHS
- WHS Students Sign Letters of Intent
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair is Saturday
- Nuggets Night Set for Tuesday, March 3rd
- D50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- January 15th Edition
- State Leaders Meet with BOE to Learn About Needs and Priorities
- District 50 Awarded College Grant
- 72nd and Raleigh Bridge Replacement Project
- Shaw Heights Fights Cancer
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair is January 31
- CSA Science Fair Highlights Students Work
- WHS Hosts Robotics Championship Saturday
- District Closed to Celebrate Life of Martin Luther King Jr.
- District 50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- December 18th Edition
- District 50 Named to AP Honor Roll
- Skyline Students Visit Westy, Experience STEM
- BOE Recognizes Sunset Ridge
- WHS Grad Injured in Iraq War Named U.S. Disabled Soccer Athlete of Year
- Holiday Video Postcard Captures Joy of Season
- Santa Teams up with Superintendent to Deliver Xmas Message
- Meet ‘Fred’ Award Winner Laura Johnson
- Baker Demolition Underway
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- December 4th Edition
- Video Explains School Closure Process
- District 50 Continues to Grow
- Sunset Ridge Honored with Governor’s Award
- College Tour Opens a World of Possibilities to Families
- WHS has High Rate of Disadvantaged Students Going to Elite Colleges
- Drug Free Conference Celebrates a Quarter Century
- Ranum Guitar Students Learn From Veteran Player
- Teacher Hosts 10th Annual ELD Thanksgiving Feast
- Metz Students Revisit the Disco Age
- Have A Heart - Holiday Schedule
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- November 13th Edition
- Voters Reject District 50 Ballot Measures
- Westy Grad Killed in Afghanistan Honored
- Flynn, Shaw Heights Commemorate Veterans Day
- Conference Athlete of the Month - Gillian Muniz
- LASA Recognized as ‘Rising Stars’
- CASB Honors Bob Landgraf
- Adventure Golf Lights up the Holidays
- Avenue Q on Stage at Westminster High School
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 30th Edition
- Showcase Highlights D50 Opportunities
- ESP Cabinet Focused on the Future
- Former Board Member Bob Landgraf Honored
- Season to Remember for WHS Softball, Soccer and Football
- Behind the Scenes Video Previews WHS Production of ‘Avenue Q’
- Clear Lake Middle School Demolition Underway
- “Haunted High” at Hidden Lake High School
- Voting Underway on District 50 Ballot Measures
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 16th Edition
- District 50 Showcase is October 27
- Hand Sanitizers Added to District 50 Buildings
- Metz Elementary, Neighbors get New Playground
- Helicopters, Proclamation Celebrates Red Ribbon Week
- ‘Brain Gym’ Program Connects D50 to Kaiser Permanente and Good Health
- Hyland Hills Board of Directors Vote to Support District 50 Ballot Measures
- Avenue Q to Hit Westy High Stage in November
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 2nd Edition
- Unique Partnership Allows Teachers and Students to Learn at the Same Time
- Lt. Governor Encourages WHS Students to Pursue College Dreams
- ESP Staff Focuses on Customer Service, Work Place Competency
- Westminster City Council Supports D50 Mill Levy and Bond Election
- Yellow Ribbon Program Honored
- BOE Member Survives Hurricane, Reflects on What Really Matters
- D50 Spreads Peace to the World
- Homecoming Parade Emphasizes Community Pride
- New D50 Tradition Unites Community and Raises Money
- Constitution Quiz Answers, Winners Revealed
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- September 18th Edition
- September 4th Edition
- District 50 Board Places Bond, Mill Levy on November Ballot
- District 50 to Honor WHS Grad Killed in Afghanistan
- CBS Symposium Focuses on District 50 Mission
- A ‘Cool’ Message of Thanks
- Ice Bucket Challenge Freezes D50
- New Leaders at D50 Schools
- ‘News You Can Use’ in Mailbox
- Alumni Golf Tournament Just Around the Corner
- ‘Under a Neon Moon’ is the WHS Homecoming Theme
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- August 21st Edition
- District 50 Continues Strong, Steady Academic Growth
- Students, Teachers Return to Classroom
- ‘Welcome Back Rally’ Motivates, Inspires D50 Staff
- New Teachers on the Job in D50
- Summer Work Improves, Cools District 50 Schools
- ‘Have A Heart’ Back for Another Year; Still Guided by Founders
- Community Fair Brings Assistance to Westminster Families
- Young Football Players Learn from Westminster’s Elite
- Your Tweet Can Raise Money, Support District 50 Tennis
- Alumni Golf Tournament Part of Homecoming Weekend
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
-
Teacher Hosts 10th Annual ELD Thanksgiving Feast
For the past ten years, Maureen Wille’s students at Hodgkins Elementary School have reenacted the first Thanksgiving held between Native Americans and Pilgrims of the “New World.” The event combines food, good will and a little bit of history.
As an English Language Development educator at Hodgkins Elementary and before, at the now closed Berkeley Gardens; Wille has hosted the event with the assistance of her close colleagues Amy Bennett and Lupita Arce.
“They play a huge role!” says Wille.
Preparation for the feast begins weeks in advance with classroom lessons in language, literacy, history, culture, planning and performing the event.
A cooking day is also set aside where groups of kids rotate through three different cooking stations. “Cooking is one of their favorite learning experiences,” said Bennett.
Current and former students also transform the classroom into the “First Thanksgiving” by setting tables with colorful table cloths, place settings, flowers and beautiful fall decorations.
Along with the in-school work, the Wille and Barela families spend hours at home making special, unique gifts for each student to take home after the event. “It has become our own special Thanksgiving tradition to assemble these gifts with love during our Bronco Sunday celebrations,” Maureen says.
Wille believes the event resonates differently in some D50 students who are new to the United States themselves, “It generates a space for them to experience first-hand the history, preparation, and traditions that make up our Thanksgiving,” she said.
For the 2014 celebration, Wille, Bennett, Arce and their team of volunteers served four turkeys, thirty five pounds of mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin muffins to 120 people.
“Probably the most important detail I wanted to be sure and include, is the kids have fun!” says Wille. “Our Thanksgiving Feast is a community effort that is only possible because of the generosity and warm-heartedness of our Hodgkins staff and our own personal families.”
See the video of their event.
Posted December 4, 2014