Students plan and cook a Thanksgiving feast

From the invitations to dirty dishes, a group of Byron High School Special Education students faced the challenges of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner with gusto and high spirits.

For the second year Sara Wheeler’s Cross Categorical students planned and cooked a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

This year they were joined in their efforts by Natalie Gordon’s Life Skills Class.

The classrooms were a beehive of activity Nov. 24 as the students and their teachers and aides put the finishing touches on the food and set the tables for 42 guests, which included themselves and staff members.

Some arranged table decorations, while others mashed potatoes, and stirred dressing, gravy and green bean casserole.

Wheeler said the students learned valuable skills while planning over the last three weeks and then fixing the meal.

“It’s a big undertaking for 42 guests,” she said. “They started with making out their guest list and then made and sent invitations.”

Once the RSVPs were in, they planned the menu and made out their shopping list.

Gordon said the students were divided into groups for a trip to the grocery store. Each group shopped for certain items on the list, learning about how to get the most for their money.

The classrooms were decorated for the occasion, with paper chains, table favors, and placemats, all made by the two classes.

The cooking meant learning how to follow a recipe, another important skill.

Wheeler said they also discussed how to be good hosts.

“We talked about table conversation and having good manners,” she said.

Crock pots full of food lined the serving table as one group mashed potatoes with the help of aide Peggy Ruzek.

Student Kristen Smith said the whole experience was valuable.

“It actually helped me learn how to cook,” she said.

Corey Wilson, another student, beamed as he helped put the colorful placemats on the tables. “Decorating,” was definitely the best part of the whole process, he said.

Student Nick Freeze wasn’t too keen on stirring the green beans. “I don’t like that,” he asserted.

The gravy, however, was a different matter. He readily and gently stirred the bubbling liquid because, he said, it was one of his favorites.

Senior student Kara Kjenner said everyone did his or her part to make the dinner a success.

“Everyone pitched in and helped. It was a good experience. I hope this is a good dinner,” she said, just before the guests arrived.

Wheeler said the Byron School Foundation provided the classes with grants which allowed them to put on the meal.