SUMNER — Trevor McKellor’s parents weren’t able to join him at the annual Thanksgiving dinner at Hartford-Sumner Elementary School on Thursday because they were working.
But that was OK.
He got to sit with his friend, fellow sixth-grader Kyle Charest, whose father was at the annual event.
“I think this is awesome,” Trevor said. “We get to meet my friends’ parents.”
Kyle’s father, Aaron Charest of Buckfield, felt pretty much the same way.
“It’s great to meet Kyle’s friends,” he said.
Nearly 87 fifth- and sixth-graders, along with almost 70 parents and grandparents feasted on turkey, gravy, stuffing, vegetables and a huge variety of sweets in the decorated school cafeteria.
“We always get positive comments,” said organizer Brenda Kimball, the principal’s secretary. “The kitchen staff really does a good job.”
Principal Ryan Wilkins said he was pleased that so many parents and grandparents came to the school.
“That speaks a lot about how they feel about their children and the school,” he said. “It’s really good to see everyone coming together.”
Alice and James Boutot of Buckfield were attending the school’s Thanksgiving dinner for the first time with their daughter, Andrea, a fifth-grader.
“I think it’s kind of cool,” Alice Boutot said. “It makes the kids feel special.”
Cassidy Brooks, a fifth-grader, brought her mother, Geraldine.
“It’s a really good event. It’s good to have Mom here to see the school,” she said.
Rosemary Henderson of Hartford was there for the first time because of two grandsons — fifth-grader Gunnar Rowe and sixth-grader Michael Henderson.
“It’s really nice,” Henderson said.
Gunnar’s mom, Suzanne Rowe, was also taking part in the student-parent dinner for the first time.
“It’s so great to get the community involved in the school,” she said.
The dinner is for fifth- and sixth-graders and their parents or grandparents. Wilkins said the idea came from the sixth-grade staff who wanted to do something for parents and grandparents.
Those whose parents can’t make it can invite another adult, such as a teacher or other staff member.
Wilkins said the annual family Thanksgiving dinner gives everyone a chance to see another side of a student.
“I always go away feeling good for the rest of the day,” he said.
eadams@sunjournal.com
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- Rosemary Henderson of Hartford shares an early Thanksgiving dinner with her grandsons, Michael Henderson and Gunnar Rowe, and Gunnar’s mother, Suzanne Rowe, at Hartford-Sumner Elementary School on Thursday.
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- Aaron Charest chats with his son, Kyle, over a plate of turkey and stuffing at the annual fifth- and sixth-grade early Thanksgiving dinner at Hartford-Sumner Elementary School on Thursday. Charest was one of nearly 70 parents and grandparents who attended.
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