Students enrolled at Dayton Avenue, Eastport Elementary, South Street and Tuttle Avenue Schools celebrated the Thanksgiving season with an array of memorable activities.

On Nov. 21, Tuttle Avenue first gradersparticipatedin a Thanksgiving celebration, which recognized and honored all essential workers in their school along withthe veteransand active militaryin their community. It was a morning of poetry and song as each of the grade’s classrooms donned turkey and pilgrim headdresses and took to the stage to perform a variety of Thanksgiving holiday music and to recognize the important work that the faculty and staff do each day.

Dayton Avenue and Eastport Elementary School students in grades 3-6 flew “balloons” in individual Macy’s Department Store-like parades. A collaboration between STEAM and library classes, students worked on their balloon designs for the past two weeks. In library class, the students read Melissa Sweet’s “Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade” and developed a concept and theme for their own balloons. During STEAM class and in the schools’ MakerSpace rooms, students created a balloon and paraded their designs through the perimeter of their school’s gymnasium.

South Street second graders also harvested the spirit through participation in Thanksgiving stations, which included Thanksgiving Bingo, making a turkey placemat, Model Magic turkey creations and balloons for a similar afternoon Balloons Over South Street parade.

Date Added: 11/26/2025

The energy in the Dayton Avenue School gymnasium was hair raising as students, faculty and staff collected funds for the school’s longest-running fundraiser, No Shave November. The fundraiser was held to benefit the American Brain Tumor Association.  

The  school’s 28th annual event follows the national movement where participants raise awareness and funds for cancer, particularly men’s health issues, by forgoing their razors for the entire month of November, only to be shaved by students. At Dayton Avenue, however, women also joined the movement by donning shower caps and cloaks while receiving a gentle whipped cream pie in the face, followed by a proverbial shave.    

The event was electric as students shouted from the bleachers for their favorite participants and joined in a movement that will hopefully, one day, raise enough funds to eliminate all types of cancer. 

Click here to view the Dayton Avenue School Holds No Shave November Event slideshow.

Date Added: 11/26/2025

Through various events prior to Veterans Day, the District’s elementary students wanted to give back to the local heroes who have served this country. 

At Eastport Elementary School, students held a special breakfast for veterans from all branches of the military. The veterans settled down to coffee and breakfast while they spoke with students about their experiences in the military. 

At Dayton Avenue School, classes engaged in meaningful discussions about the courage, sacrifice and dedication of the women and men in the armed forces. The students then expressed their gratitude by writing heartfelt thank-you cards for veterans they know personally and for others within the community. These thoughtful messages are a wonderful reminder of the importance of honoring those who protect the nation’s freedoms. 

The District is proud of the students for displaying such kindness, respect and patriotism on this very special day. 

Dayton Avenue and Eastport elementary students received a loud round of applause from paparazzi peers and adoring fans as they walked down the red carpet during the schools’ individual Readers Walk of Fame.

The parallel events were a culmination of the schools’ summer reading program, which encouraged students to read daily and record the number of minutes read. Dayton Avenue students read a total of 60,120 minutes, while Eastport Elementary logged 63,550 minutes, for a cumulative total of 123,670 minutes of reading. The students also completed individual projects associated with one of the books they read that are now displayed.

Eastport Elementary School library media specialist Alyssa Sorensen explained that summer reading helps elementary students keep their skills sharp and avoid a summer slide. Joining a summer reading program also keeps students motivated, builds strong reading habits, and develops a love of reading.

Click here to view the Reading VIPs Walk the Red Carpet slideshow.

Date Added: 10/14/2025