Every November, schools send a letter home about Thanksgiving: when the break starts, when classes resume, what is happening in class before the holiday, and how families can help with food drives. Parents read these letters quickly, often on a phone, so a clear layout matters. This Thanksgiving Break Parent Letter uses a proper school letterhead, a warm message and a key dates table that answers the main question at a glance.
What Families Want From a Holiday Letter
- the exact days school is closed;
- the day classes resume;
- any events before the break, such as a classroom celebration;
- what, if anything, they need to send in;
- a friendly note that makes them feel part of the school community.
This template is organised around exactly these points.
The School Letterhead Design
The letter is US Letter, 8.5 x 11 inches, portrait. A navy band runs across the top with a round crest slot on the left, framed in white, and the school name in white Playfair Display beside it (Brookside Elementary School in the sample), with the address, phone, and website in small type below. Just under the band runs a thin border of tiny autumn leaves in rust, gold, and olive, alternating angles like a hand-drawn garland. The same leaf border repeats near the bottom of the page.
The body is a classic letter: the date, Dear Families, in navy serif, two paragraphs of text, a KEY DATES table, a closing paragraph, Warm regards, the principal’s name in navy script and their title underneath. The brand mark sits small at the foot.
The Key Dates Table
The table is the most important part of the letter for busy parents. It is a real editable table with two columns, DATE and WHAT IS HAPPENING, and a navy header. The sample lists:
| Date | What is happening |
|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 20 | Last day for food drive donations |
| Tue, Nov 24 | Classroom Thanksgiving celebration |
| Wed, Nov 25 to Fri, Nov 27 | No school, Thanksgiving break |
| Mon, Nov 30 | Classes resume |
Double-click the table, or choose Edit Table Data, to change the rows. Add rows with + Row for early dismissal days, parent conferences, or the deadline for lunch orders.
Adding Your School Crest
Click the round crest slot in the header and choose Replace Image to upload your school logo or crest. The circle keeps its size and white border. Square logos fit best; if yours is wide, place it on a square white background first so nothing is cropped. Then replace the school name, address, phone, and website in the header.
Writing the Letter
The sample paragraphs thank families for their support, mention the classroom celebration and the food drive, and point to the dates below. Rewrite them in your own words, keeping these tips in mind:
- Put the most important information in the table, not buried in a paragraph.
- Keep paragraphs short: three or four sentences each.
- Mention allergy rules if food is involved in a classroom celebration.
- End with a genuine thank-you; families notice warmth.
- Translate the letter if many families read another language more easily.
Sample Paragraphs for Different Schools
For a preschool
Our little ones have been busy making paper turkeys and practising their thank-yous. On Tuesday we will share a small feast in class. Please send in one fruit or vegetable snack.
For middle or high school
As we approach the break, please remind your student that projects due on Monday, November 30, should be completed before the holiday, so they can enjoy time with family.
For a homeschool co-op
Our co-op will pause for Thanksgiving week. We will meet again on Monday, November 30, at the usual time.
Signing the Letter
The sample signature is Ms. Laura Chen, Principal, Brookside Elementary, in script and plain text. Replace it with your own name and role. Teachers can use the template for a class letter by changing the sign-off to their name and class. A scanned real signature can be placed over the script line if your school prefers.
Customising Colours and Borders
The navy header can be recoloured to your school colours; maroon, forest green and royal blue all work with white text. The two leaf borders are grouped rows of shapes; recolour them to match your palette or delete them for a plainer letterhead you can use all year.
Sending the Letter Home
Download the PDF and print it for backpack folders, or attach it to an email and the school messaging app. Many schools do both, because some families read paper and some only read their phones. A PNG version is handy for a post on the school’s social media page or newsletter.
Keeping a Holiday Letter Template
Save your edited file with the year in its name. Next November, update the dates and paragraphs and send it again. The same letterhead also works for winter break, spring break, and end-of-year letters by changing the title and the table.
Mentioning the Food Drive in a Thanksgiving Break Letter
Many schools collect food for local pantries in the weeks before the holiday, and the break letter is the natural place to remind families. Name the pantry you are supporting, list the three or four items it needs most, such as canned vegetables, boxed stuffing, peanut butter, and cereal, and give the last collection day. Point families to the first row of the dates table so the deadline is impossible to miss. A short line thanking families who have already donated encourages others to join in without sounding like pressure.
If some families are themselves facing a hard season, a gentle sentence such as If your family could use support this holiday, please contact the school office in confidence makes the letter kinder. Counsellors often appreciate being named here, with their email, so families know exactly who to reach.
Thanksgiving Break Letter Questions
Can teachers use it for a class newsletter?
Yes. Change the header to the class name and replace the paragraphs with class news.
Is there room for a reply slip?
Remove the bottom leaf border and add a dashed cut line with a short tear-off slip for parent signatures.
Can I add a second page?
Use Add Page for a menu, a supply list, or a holiday reading list.
A clear, friendly letter keeps families informed and connected. Add your crest, update the dates, and send your Thanksgiving message home with a little warmth.
