Hershey Public Schools is excited to welcome families and community members who have completed RSVP to the annual Elementary Thanksgiving Meal on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. This cherished tradition brings together students in Transitional Kindergarten through 6th grade for a warm holiday meal, meaningful family time, and a celebration of gratitude across the school community.
Only Guests That Have Completed RSVP
Ensure we have enough food for all guests and students
Event Overview
RSVP guests and students will enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving-style menu, including turkey or chicken patty, mashed potatoes, corn, cinnamon apples, a hot roll, and dessert (menu subject to change).
The cost for guests is $4.90 per person, payable at the serving line or chargeable to a student’s lunch account.
Please note:
No second helpings
No à la carte options
Parking Instructions for Guests
To ensure smooth arrival, the following parking areas will be available:
West Crushed Rock Lot (West of the Elementary School)
Located on the west side of the building
Longest walk to the Activity Center and Competition Gym
Ideal for guests comfortable with a longer walking distance
South Paved Lot
Directly south of the school
Offers the most convenient access for many visitors
South Gravel Lot
Adjacent to the south paved lot
Ideal overflow option as the paved lot fills
Handicap Parking
Clearly marked handicap spaces are available near the school entrances
Identified by designated handicap icons
Best option for those needing reduced walking distance
Staff and signage will help guide families throughout arrival.
Guest Entrance Location
All guests should enter the building through the west-facing “Activity Entrance” doors.
On the event map provided to families, these doors are marked with a yellow star. The Activity Center doors will unlock at 10:45 AM, and ushers will be available to welcome and direct guests upon arrival.
Entry, Arrival, & Seating Procedures
To ensure an organized experience, families will be seated in gyms based on the student’s last name (the child they are eating with):
Gym Seating Assignments (Based on Student Last Name)
A–N: Competition Gym
O–Z: Activity Center
If extended families (such as cousins) with different last names wish to sit together, please select one seating area for your group. Ensure your child knows which alphabet section to meet you in (for example, gathering in the O section rather than the S section).
Bleachers in each gym will be labeled by last-name sections for easy visibility.
How Students Will Find Their Guests
Students will begin arriving at 10:50 AM, organized alphabetically by their teachers. Each student will enter the gym that aligns with the first letter of their own last name, then locate their family in the corresponding bleacher section.
Students Without Guests
Students who do not have a guest attending will:
Receive their meal card
Go directly to the kitchen serving line to be served
Sit at tables filling east to west under staff guidance
Serving Time & Flow
Serving begins at 11:00 AM.
Ushers will invite guests to the serving line in alphabetical groups, beginning with:
A–B in the Competition Gym
O–P in the Activity Center
Ushers will guide families:
From the bleachers to the serving line
To seating areas, filling from the back of the gym to the front for optimal flow
Menu & Payment Information
The serving line will offer:
Turkey or Chicken Patty
Mashed Potatoes
Corn
Cinnamon Apples
Hot Roll
Dessert
Guest meals cost $4.90 and may be paid on-site or charged to a student’s account.
