The paper pumpkins listing what students are grateful for were created by Tara Petrino’s fourth-grade class at St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby. Photo courtesy St. Mary-St. Michael School.
Story by Shelley Wolf
Toni Ann LaMattina, principal at St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby, is most grateful for her new position, leading the educators and students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at the Catholic school.
Founded in 1885, the school has a long and proud history of providing an exceptional education to all who enter through its doors. It prepares students for a lifetime of learning centered on Catholic Social Teaching.
And it all begins with gratitude to God, with students learning to thank their heavenly Father for all that they are, have been given, and may become. And what better time to reflect on their appreciation than during this time of Thanksgiving?
Recently, students in Tara Petrino’s fourth-grade class answered the question “What are you grateful for?” They crafted paper pumpkins with key phrases such as “my life,” “a loving family” and “a home to keep me safe.”
Brianna Sawicki’s third-grade class created handprint art and penciled in key words such as “Jesus” and “Easter,” along with “cousins” and “dogs.” LaMattina even coached an eighth-grade class on how to roast a turkey.
But the essays from the fourth graders were the most revealing exercise because students went beyond the “what” to the “why.”
Iyanna Zebrowski wrote, “I am grateful for my family because they make me feel loved all day,” and “I am grateful for my home because it’s warm and quiet.”
In addition to citing her family, Hanna Tran wrote, “I am also grateful to God because he gave me the things that I love.” And she is grateful for school “because I can be goofy and learn there.”
Brielle Louis Jacques recognized her peers. “I am grateful for my best friend Laila. She makes me laugh every day at school and outside school,” she wrote. And “I am grateful for my brother. He is caring and loving to me.”
Morgan Millard shared her feelings, writing, “God makes me feel safe and happy. My mom and mad can make me feel happy when I feel sad.”
Scott Weller was alternatively serious and whimsical, writing, “I am grateful for God because he’s amazing. I am also grateful for my good family and my two guinea pigs because they cheer me up and are funny. Last but not least, I am grateful for this free country and its strong military.”
Olivier Bercy revealed his appreciation and humility. “I am grateful for my first father, God. He is the reason why I am here every day,” Olivier wrote. “I am grateful for free will because free will is the freedom to decide when and how to act. I am grateful for my school because without it, I would not be smart.”
