It was especially meaningful to gather as a community of students, teachers, and alums for Thanksgiving Soup today. Special thanks to Soup Co-Chairs, Suzannah Van Schaick, Jennifer Capala, and Wendy Benjamin, who, with Joanne DelCarpine, rallied a superstar group of students, parents, and alums (and thank you, each and every one!) to make the Soup during our snow day yesterday! It may be the first time ever that we’ve had a snow day before Soup. For braving the elements, for shopping and cooking, for set up, serving, and clean up, thank you, one and all!
Each year, everyone eagerly anticipates Soup and this special gathering as a community. We give thanks for another year of successes, the hardships overcome, and for those who have shared our joys and sorrows.
There are few traditions at BCD as enduring as Thanksgiving Soup. It was introduced to BCD over 30 years ago! Originally held on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the emphasis was and still is on simplicity, coming together as a community of students and teachers, acknowledging the many privileges we have, and considering and thinking about others. The meal consisted of just soup, bread, and cider. The students chopped all of the vegetables, and the soup was cooked in the kitchen between the Kindergarten and PreK classrooms.
As is true today, perhaps more than ever, everyone was/is encouraged to recognize and be thankful for all that we have, to reflect on our privileges, both earned and unearned, and to be especially kind to one another and mindful of others who may be less fortunate or have less.