Rhame Avenue Elementary School's kindergarten classes transformed their annual Thanksgiving tradition into an engaging, educational experience on Friday, Nov. 21, combining community celebration with hands-on learning about one of America's most beloved holiday traditions.

The Balloons Over Rhame Avenue parade has long been a cherished kickoff to the holiday season at Rhame Avenue School. Each year, kindergarteners parade through the school's hallways to the gymnasium, where they perform friendship songs and create turkey crafts with their families. This year, however, the kindergarten team elevated the experience by incorporating it into a comprehensive project-based learning unit.

The project began with reading Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, which tells the story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer who revolutionized the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade through trial and error. Students discovered that Sarg's first parade featured real animals – which proved too frightening for young spectators. His next attempt used beautiful balloon puppets that were too small for crowds to see. Through persistence and innovation, Sarg eventually introduced helium-filled giant character balloons that became the parade's signature feature.

To deepen their understanding, students explored the many roles required to execute a successful parade, from television announcers and camera crews to performers, balloon handlers, balloon pilots and police officers. The highlight came when the classes interviewed actual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon handlers via Zoom, including volunteers who will pilot the Macy's Blue Stars balloon this year.

Students learned fascinating details about the demanding job: balloon handlers must walk three miles while gripping the balloon's bone to steer it down the street. Each balloon requires 30 to 50 handlers depending on its size, and pilots must walk backwards for the entire parade route. The position is voluntary and requires an application process.

Rhame’s kindergarteners were also treated to a visit from East Rockaway Jr/Sr High School’s Dean of Students, Mr. Russel Pajer, and former ERHS athletic director, Mr. Dom Vulpis, who shared their firsthand experience working at the Thanksgiving Day Parade and answered students' questions.

Armed with this knowledge, kindergarteners entered their own balloon construction phase, preparing three new character additions for this year's parade: Rumi, Superman and Labubu – expanding the parade's roster of beloved characters.

The Balloons Over Rhame Avenue parade represents the kind of immersive, real-world learning experience that brings academic concepts to life while honoring treasured school traditions. By connecting classroom learning to community celebration, Rhame Avenue School's kindergarten team created an unforgettable educational experience that students and families will remember for years to come.