Over thirty students’ service sites are closed the day before Thanksgiving, so staff thought it a good idea to cancel service for that day to kick off a new holiday tradition.
The day before our short Thanksgiving break, students and staff will be taking a three mile walk/run “Turkey Trot” in Busse Woods.
While walking, we will be cleaning up trash and litter. Ms. O’Neill says, “We want to nurture the relationship we have with the Cook County Forest Preserve.” Every Vanguard student is a member of the Preserve Keeper Corps.
The workout also benefits you! “This is for cardiovascular fitness, and service points,” states Mr. Marcos. Students will be earning up to 8 PE points. That’s close to two weeks of regular PE points.
According to student organizer Olivia Gabcova, students who get into the holiday spirit and dress as turkeys, pilgrims, native Americans, mashed potatoes, or anything related to the holiday, can earn bonus points.
According to staff, this new Turkey Trot tradition was inspired by a celebration students had with Ms. DeMeo and Ms. McCann after they wrote about their Thanksgiving traditions in class last year. Staff learned that some students didn’t celebrate the holiday, and some had no one to share the holiday with.
Many staff shared with me how the holiday season is difficult for many of our students. Ms. O’Neill has high hopes that the Turkey Trot will be a “service oriented, team-building, memory making experience for all.”
Since Chicago weather is bipolar, if there is lightning, we will watch a holiday feel-good film in the theatre. Students will then discuss the film in team. The title has not yet been released.
Please see Mr. O’Brien if you have any questions.
Story by Annemarie Schaefer
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