A family affair ...
Preschool program for children with disabilities welcomes parents to annual Thanksgiving feast

The Whitehouse Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities got a jump on the holidays, hosting a Thanksgiving feast for students and their families on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

In a festively decorated room at Higgins Intermediate, PPCD staff and children welcomed parents and grandparents to the third annual feast.

"The Whitehouse PPCD has always celebrated Thanksgiving, but the full feast with parents, grandparents, etc., was a tradition I brought with me from another district," said teacher Kristi Galusha.

A turkey and ham were provided by the program (and generously cooked for free by Brookshire's), with teachers, staff and parents preparing side dishes and desserts, making the meal a true "family affair."

Family is an essential part of the success of the program, said Galusha. "As they say, 'it takes a village to raise a child.' Parental involvement is essential in our program. It takes us all working together as a team to make a difference in the lives of these children."

"Seeing ourselves as a family helps parents take ownership of our program," she added. "We want our parents to be comfortable being involved in their child's education. The child ultimately benefits more from this partnership than they might if we worked separately."

Crystal Pierce and daughter Cassidy enjoy the annual dinner.

Benefiting the children is what PPCD is all about. Classes are for children ages 3-5 who have an identified disability. In addition to Galusha, teacher Lannette Burlingame and assistants Cora Warren, Elsie Jacks, Jan Moorman, Jill Spitzmiller, Candy Cuevas and Marcia

Groves work with the children and involve them in a variety of field trips and activities.

"Our teaching assistants are such an important part of our program," said Galusha. "With all the special needs in our program, lots of hands are essential. They keep the program running."

Galusha also praised the efforts of Doris Pitts, special education director. "She is the steam behind our choo-choo train," Galusha told parents at the gathering.

"Doris always has the wellbeing of the kids at heart," added Galusha. "She is always willing to let us do things that benefit the kids."

Families attending the feast were asked to write what they were thankful for on a "feather" and add it to a turkey on the wall. In her remarks, Galusha expressed her thanks for the efforts of all the administration and staff, as well as the parents in attendance.

Noah Davis gets ready for dessert.

"You guys are so supportive, so awesome," she said. "Your babies teach us something every day, and we love them."

Rae McBride and son Jonah fix their plates. In the top photo, Karley Welch gives her mom Kristi a hug. Teachers for the PPCD program are Kristi Galusha and Lannette Burlingame