And just a little way up I-95 from where I live. Apparently, it's forbidden to let the children™ know that the Pilgrims were a devout group that repeatedly thanked the Almighty during the first Thanksgiving. Excerpt:

Young students across the state read stories about the Pilgrims and Native Americans, simulate Mayflower voyages, hold mock feasts and learn about the famous meal that temporarily allied two very different groups.

But what teachers don't mention when they describe the feast is that the Pilgrims not only thanked the Native Americans for their peaceful three-day indulgence, but repeatedly thanked God.

Thanksgiving is usually taught as a part of social studies and emphasizes cultural immersion.

"The Pilgrim Story is read in Spanish and English," said Alfreda Adams, principal at Mills-Parole Elementary School in Annapolis, where 70 Hispanic students attend. "We make sure that we celebrate all cultures."

School administrators statewide agree, saying religion never coincides with how they teach Thanksgiving to students.

The Mayflower, Pilgrims, Native Americans become enduring symbols to students before the week-long hiatus they are granted each year to spend time with their families.

"In elementary school we learned that the Pilgrims came to the Indians and they all had a feast," said Emmanuel Cobington, 13, and a seventh-grader at Annapolis Middle School.

Dude, righteous feast! Cool.

Posted by: Physics Geek at 02:31 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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