Despite the rise in COVID-19 cases at Sedona Red Rock High School in the last few weeks, a Thanksgiving party for the special education department was still able to take place on Friday, Nov. 20.
For his second year working at SRRHS, and 12th year as a special education teacher, Solomon Smart had a holiday celebration for students and their families, with students learning a variety of life skills in order to make the party a success.
The students participated in everything from putting together fall-themed centerpieces — with flowers and a lesson from the owners of Mountain High Flowers — to preparing the food and greeting guests.
“The students helped to cook the green bean casserole, the macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, the sweet potatoes,” said Smart, whose smoked turkey was a hit.
For the 10 years Smart hosted the Thanksgiving party while teaching in Phoenix, he said crowds of over 100 often attended.
“This year it’s a little bit smaller,” he said, noting that he needed to get special permission from SRRHS Principal Dennis Dearden for the event to go on. Outside seating was available in the patio outside the classroom, which is located in the junior high part of campus.
Dearden and other administrators popped in to converse and grab a bite to eat while donning face shields or masks, raving about the great job done.
“That was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen on the campus,” secretary Teresa Lamparter beamed. “They greet you at the door and bring you in to sit.”
Also helping students get food and find seats at the event was SRRHS Student Council President Sofia Zimmerman.
Every afternoon, Zimmerman spends a period helping out in the classroom. She said that besides the mashed potatoes, she was also grateful that she has had the opportunity to work with the special education students.
“Personally, I didn’t really need this credit, but I just decided, ‘you know what, it’s my senior year and I want to do something fun.’ And I thought I’d give this a try and I’m so thankful that I’ve done it,” she said. “All these kids are just so great and it’s been really good to work with them.”
Zimmerman believes the experience will be valuable as she starts her studies to become a physician’s assistant next year.
“The social skills I’ve gained here and learning patience and understanding is definitely something that’s going to help me working with people in the future,” she said. “I might end up specifically working with special education, you never know.”
Jose Luis Zavala Gutierrez, who brought his mother, Guadalupe Gutierrez, and stuffed horse, Pinto, to the celebration, agreed that he was excited for the time off for Thanksgiving break. Besides the regular three days off from Wednesday through Friday, the following Monday and Tuesday will be virtual.
