SAD 20 students
showcase ‘gratitude attitude’
FORT FAIRFIELD — As part of the 21st Century After School program, the fifth-grade students at Fort Fairfield Elementary School volunteered at their local food pantry.
FIFTH-GRADE STUDENTS 
at Fort Fairfield Elementary School that participate in the 21st Century After School program have been learning about the concepts surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday, as well as volunteerism in honor of Veterans Day. On Nov. 15, the students presented a Thanksgiving musical performance they had been rehearsing for the past several weeks on the school’s stage in the cafeteria. The end of the program gave tribute to all the service men and women who have helped the United States of America be a land of freedom, and the performers and several of their classmates got to personally thank them for their attendance and for their service to our country.
Fort Fairfield Elementary School fifth-graders
that participate in the 21st Century After School program presented a musical performance Nov. 15 at the school. The celebration of Thanksgiving was based on the musical revue by Teresa Jennings titled, “A Time to Give Thanks.” Performing were, from left, front row: Wyatt Keegan, Tiffany King, Austin Cote and Amber Sherwood. Middle row: Isaac Fox, Cammi King-DeMerchant, Jacob Walker, Colby Langner and Kendall Poitras. Back row: Erica McEwen, Bailee Mallett, Riley Clough and Colby Giberson.
On Nov. 8, they were welcomed by Stephen Lewis at the Friends Helping Friends Food Pantry and they got hands-on experience aiding those in need. Their teacher, Patty Smith, worked with the group of 14 students to learn about the concepts surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday and to learn about volunteerism in honor of Veterans Day.
On Nov. 15, at both 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., the students presented a musical performance they had been rehearsing for the past several weeks on the school’s stage in the cafeteria. The celebration of Thanksgiving is based on the musical revue by Teresa Jennings titled, “A Time to Give Thanks.” The students and viewers of their show contemplated what Thanksgiving means. Third- and fourth-graders of the after-school program were highlighted in a video during the performance, finishing the sentence, “I am thankful for …”
The end of the program gave tribute to all the service men and women who have “helped the United States of America be a land of freedom.” During the morning performance, several individuals from the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou were present. The performers and several of their classmates got to personally thank them for their attendance and for their service to their country. Reflecting on the experience, Smith stated, “Students enjoyed participating in the show and gave a great effort. I am very proud of them.”
The public was invited to attend the 5 p.m. after-school show Nov. 15. The individuals who attended were asked to bring a canned food item. The entire Fort Fairfield Elementary School also contributed to the canned food drive, which amassed a large amount of food for the local Friends Helping Friends Food Pantry.
The SAD 20 21st Century After School Program opened in 2004 and serves children, providing homework assistance, mentoring, tutoring, recreation, mathematics and dozens of other subjects. The program is a collaboration between the school system, the Fort Fairfield Recreation Department, the town of Fort Fairfield, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, the Nordic Heritage Sport Club, and the Healthy Aroostook 5210 Let’s Go! initiative.
For more information about the after-school program and the multi-media performance, please contact the director of the program, Renee Felini, at rfelini@msad20.org.
