West Essex Students Thank Teachers, Staff With Holiday Feasts

Both the West Essex Middle School and high school thanked their teachers and staff before letting out for Thanksgiving break. 

The West Essex Middle School Student Council thanked school support staff with a special Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 26 in the school's cafeteria. Students served turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, string beans, salad, pumpkin pie, apple pie and cookies.

Seventh-grade student council members Frankie Rizzo and Alex Burrowes thanked secretaries, custodians and board office staff for everything that they do for the students.

"We are so lucky to be students at West Essex Middle School because we feel it is an ideal place for all students to learn, grow, socialist and have fun," the two students said.

"We know that we would not have any of the positive experiences we do were it not for all of you and the support you provide … whether keeping our school clean and safe, helping us when we have a question or a concern or aiding us in learning the skills to be successful, please know that your efforts do not go unnoticed.

"On behalf of the entire student body, the student council would like to thank you for all of the things that you do to make our experience here at the middle school so special," they added. 

The middle school student council also presented each staff member with a thank you certificate and a bracelet and Pomptonian Food Service for preparing the food. The student council served the food at the feast.

At West Essex Regional High School, the student council honored support staff with it's own Italian Feast on Nov. 27. 

Secretaries, custodians and other staff enjoyed meatballs, ziti, chicken, salad and desserts. Student Council President Greg Contaldi also honored Lisa Dyer, the administrative assistant in the school's main office, as support staff member of the year.

Dyer greets everyone with a smile when they come into the office, Greg said. Staff also competed in a Thanksgiving trivia contest to win the table centerpieces at the event.