Photo by Alison JamesGrandparents Billy and Annette Sturdivant enjoy lunch with grandson Jacob Sturdivant.

It’s true that Thanksgiving doesn’t fall until the fourth Thursday of November, but like so many families, the Russellville City Schools’ family celebrated a little early, before school let out for the break.

At West Elementary and Russellville Elementary, the Thanksgiving lunch is an anticipated tradition, at which parents and grandparents are invited to join their students for the feasting and giving of thanks. RES Assistant Principal Paula Young said it a great community outreach and a way to make the season special for the young students.

At Russellville High School, this year was the first for something that might very well be a new tradition in RCS. The school invited community leaders – including police officers, firefighters, city councilmembers and county commissioners, as well as school board members – to come during lunch Thursday to enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

“We just thought it was a good idea. They have been so good to us, to help out,” RCS child nutrition program director Elaine Vaughn explained. “We wanted to give back to them.”