While I was in the 3rd/4th grade class for writing on Tuesday morning, I heard kids talking about a special experience that was scheduled for later in the day. Somebody said one of the students’ mom was coming in to make pasta with the class. I envisioned her coming into class with a few packages of pasta, prepared to boil water for cooking, then add sauce before they ate it. What I imagined was far from what actually happened.
Early afternoon I walked past the classroom and noticed red and white tablecloths covering the tables. Tables were coated with flour and dough. Students stood around the tables, fully engaged in the various tasks involved with making pasta. I realized that my original interpretation of “making” was actually preparing to eat, rather than making from scratch. The atmosphere was quite joyful and enthusiastic. In addition to the children, the student’s mom and grandparents were present, helping to make dough, then run it through the pasta makers they’d brought. It was quite a family affair. I heard later that the dough recipe was the student’s great-grandmother’s.
I wasn’t present when they cleaned up, nor did I get to witness the enthusiasm with which each student proudly took home their freshly made pasta to share with their families. I was glad I had been able to step into the room momentarily to see what I did, and remember why we encourage family participation in the child’s Seed experience. Right after the Labor Day holiday, we’ll begin our school-wide two-week nutrition study. It’s been a Seed tradition for many years and, in addition to raising awareness about nutrition, it’s a wonderful way for parents and grandparents to get involved. Additionally, on Tuesday, September 9, we’ll hold our annual grandparents meeting on Zoom at 1:30pm. If your family has grandparents who want to be involved, please send their contact information (including name, email, and Seed student relative) to mary@awakeningseedschool.org. We look forward to seeing more of you around the Seed sharing your special talents and interests.