Schools
Thanksgiving Parade Showcases Michigan Symbols
Hey, Royal Oak! If you didn't get to the Thanksgiving Day Parade of Michigan Symbols at Addams Elementary on Wednesday, you'll just have to watch it on video.
Addams Elementary in Royal Oak is closed until Monday for the Thanksgiving break but students went out with one last hurrah - the Thanksgiving Day Parade of Michigan Symbols.
Led by members of the Royal Oak High School Marching Band, parade highlights included flags, scouts, banners, Rocky the Raven and a variety of Michigan-related floats. Fellow students, teachers, parents and neighbors were all on hand for the proceedings, which was the brainchild of Addams' third-grade teachers.
"We took the students on a field trip to the Parade Company and they saw how floats are built," said third-grade teacher Tom Hagopian. "We were all inspired."
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The Pardade Company produces America's Thanksgiving Parade, an 86-year tradition that steps-off at Woodward Avenue and Mack on Thanksgiving at 9:05 a.m. (The two-hour parade will be featured on WDIV-TV Local 4.)
Together with Molly Brinker, Melissa McAuliff and Kristin Smith, Hagopian said the third-grade pod put together an event that focused on Michigan history.
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Using math and science concepts to measure and create moving parts, students created floats that represented Michigan symbols, such as apple blossums, cherries, the Petoskey stone and the Mackinac Bridge.
"I think we have set a precedent to do this for the years ahead," said Principal Jane Flarity-Gram. "It was fun and these students certainly will never forget their Michigan symbols."
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