For more than 60 years Far Brook School has celebrated the fall harvest through its “Thanksgiving Processional,” which combines many elements that generations of families have come to regard as essential to the identity of the School. In this tradition, partnerships are formed between older and younger children, nature’s bounty is celebrated through ceremony and song, and gifts of food are collected and donated to the local community.
Dressed simply in fall colors, all 230 students participate in the Processional. Each student chooses a gift from the harvest (pumpkin, squash, eggplant, pomegranate, etc.) and carries it, processing while singing great choral works, to place their contribution on a stage. Older children are paired and walk with younger ones to give them support and guidance. Food donations, including the fresh vegetables and fruits as well as packaged goods, are collected to share with less fortunate families and distributed through Isaiah House of East Orange.
The solemn procession and joyful music of this simple ritual create a unique pageant that is rich with tradition. Students experience the discipline of rehearsing the music and of learning to walk with grace, poise, and purpose. The service learning curriculum is illustrated through the collection, presentation, and donation of food gifts and an associated coat drive.