Lincoln School celebrates 12th annual ENL Thanksgiving Feast

Students at Lincoln School enjoyed a big meal together at the 12th annual English as a New Language (ENL) Thanksgiving Feast on Friday, November 22, 2024. This celebration was originally created at the school in order to introduce students who are new to the country to Thanksgiving.

“We are truly blessed to have so many diverse students here in our building,” said Principal Rebecca Jones. “It doesn't matter where you come from, it doesn’t matter what language you speak or customs you have; we have more that unites us and that is the same than what divides us. We are truly a family at Lincoln School.”

Ms. Jones welcomed students, teachers and dignitaries from the District to the feast, and students joined her on stage for opening performances. Three students explained the origins and purposes of Thanksgiving and shared why they are thankful this year, including their family, friends and teachers among their reasons. 

A class of ENL students then sang the song, “Thankful,” to celebrate everything they have to be thankful for. After the song, students and staff were served food and shared a Thanksgiving meal together.

The ENL Thanksgiving Feast began 12 years ago. ENL students were given a lesson about the holiday and were taught about how Thanksgiving began as two cultures coming together and sharing a feast. The ENL Thanksgiving Feast serves as a way to show these students that that it is their holiday now as well. 

Now, the ENL Thanksgiving Feast is celebrated annually to celebrate togetherness of all of the cultures at Lincoln.

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