Thanksgiving Day and Friendsgiving Saturday

November 28, 2020

The end of November brings with it an American tradition and a time to pause, reflect and give thanks for the good things, both big and small, in our lives.

On Thursday, November 26th Dalian American International School celebrated the Thanksgiving on campus. DAIS Middle School Student Government hosted a luncheon in the Multi-Purpose Room. Students, teachers and parents had a chance to get together, enjoy delicious food including traditional roast turkey, and have fun.

The Friendsgiving Saturday on November 28th was full of events to celebrate the season:

Turkey Trot – a 3k race where participants registered with a prediction of their finishing time, and the three runners closest to their prediction won a prize;
Flag Football Game – another Thanksgiving tradition, a friendly pigskin game on the DAIS field for kids and adults;
Kids Arts & Crafts Session – where kids of all ages could make creative decorations using recyclable and other household items;
Staff Potluck Dinner – with home-made turkey and side dishes.

But probably the most important event occurred outside of our school. A group of teachers, parents and students decided to be part of giving back this holiday season by making and serving meals to the elderly. Pradeep Malik, Maanasi Vivek, Sonia Patel, Paul Ryker, Blair Lee, Marta Perez, and our students Aya Schroeder, Maguire Lee, Sarah Rohrbeck and others spent their Saturday in an elderly home in Jinshitan. They brought homemade treats and milk to the residents, chatted and played card games with them, made delicious steamed buns and pumpkin soup for dinner.

Maanasi, who is involved in many activities organized by the Aunty Wang’s Elderly Home Service Project, recalls: “One of the most purposeful and fun Saturday afternoons ever!! Card games with the seniors, gratitude tickler, joy in togetherness and much more… The thrill in some of residents’ eyes in seeing random strangers pay them a visit brought tears to my eyes. The joy in actually distributing the cookies to them, hand in hand, is priceless. One Thanksgiving Saturday to remember and cherish!”

We are thankful to be part of DAIS community and have the opportunity to stand together in educating our children and participating in meaningful events during this challenging year.