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NOTE: In the print version, Justice Elementary School was incorrectly referenced as Conkwright Elementary School. The Sun apologizes for the error. 

As Thanksgiving approached, there was much reason for fanfare. 

Perhaps nowhere was this more evident than at Justice Elementary School on the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 26. 

A Thanksgiving Parade returned, allowing many students the opportunity to showcase what books they were reading while marching and acting as though they were actively involved in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

“We decided to have each…classroom choose a children’s book. Anything I can tie around literacy is perfect,” said Amy Reece, Librarian at Justice Elementary. “It definitely gets [students] reading books that maybe they haven’t read in a while.” 

Just inside the entrance to the school, a walkway was decorated with numerous props and more similar to what might be found during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, including a cutout of the Empire State Building. 

Michael Coston, who works as Technology Coordinator at George Rogers Clark High School, made the trip to announce the different classrooms participating in the parade while dressed similarly to famed journalist and television presenter Al Roker. 

Before long, the parade began with Justice Elementary School Principal Mary Maldonado leading the first group up and down the hallway. 

With over 400 students ranging from kindergarten through sixth-grade present, a multitude of books that kids read were mentioned. 

Among them were “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle, “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight” by Jane Dolan and Mark Teague, “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, and “The Magic School Bus” by Joann Cole and Bruce Degen. 

For an even more festive atmosphere, music played in the background as Coston introduced each class, who carried a banner showcasing the name and a colorful description of each book they read. 

Students were also decorated for the parade. 

Yet that wasn’t all. 

With Christmas just around the corner, Santa Claus himself made a visit to the enjoyment of many in attendance. 

When all was said and done, Reece – who helped plan the event – explained what she felt the most exciting aspect of the parade was. 

“Probably my favorite part would just be watching their smiles and their eyes.” she said. “We put up things in our foyer here each day…so, it’s definitely made it all worth it.”