Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools issued the following announcement on December 20.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
DECEMBER 17, 2021 – At Walkertown Elementary, students and their families were invited to make a house or other creation out of gingerbread.
Sisters Emma and Abigail West decided that they wanted to create a gingerbread version of their school.
Asked why they wanted to do that, Emma, who is in fifth grade, said, “School is a second home to some people.”
Emma and Abigail, who is in third grade, went to work. Their mom helped.
When the gingerbread school was done, they took it to the real school. More than 80 students in kindergarten through fifth grade and their families also participated.
The creations were put on display for the entire student body to enjoy. Along with many houses, there was a gingerbread chapel, another Walkertown Elementary school, and a gingerbread stable.
Walk 45Luna Trindad Huff, who is in third grade, created the gingerbread stable, complete with horses.
“I built a stable because I really like stable animals like horses,” Luna told her teacher Taylor Miles.
“I made it out of crackers, frosting, and animal crackers.”
Guiliana Maneen, who is fifth grade, was inspired to make a gingerbread chapel.
“I had help from my mom and dad,” Guiliana said.
Asked what she likes to do on her own time, she said. “I like to spend time with my family….I like to play with my friends.”
Brothers Bennett and Harrison Eckhart decided to make Santa Claus’ Log Cabin.
“Our mom helped us,” said Bennett, who is in the third grade.
A big bonus for Harrison, who is in the first grade, was they got to eat Christmas candy while they were working on the project.
Martha Howell, who is the Instructional Technology Facilitator, oversaw the project.
“Bringing magic and wonderment to the holiday season for our students has been on the hearts and minds of teachers and staff at Walkertown Elementary,” Howell said.
Walk 39“Teachers have been under an incredible amount of pressure to help students fill academic gaps, but also to build the social and emotional skills of students. This year, Walkertown Elementary decided to do something new by hosting our very First Annual Family Gingerbread Creation Contest. We want to help bring joy to our students. This event helped achieve that.”
“All of our students were awed by the creations as they were able to view them throughout the week. The creativity and designs of our students and their families blew our staff away, but also blew away our entire student body.”
Lead Secretary Jeana Jacob said, “I think it was a great idea that helped get our families engaged. Our kids were so excited.”
Principal Diana McIntosh said she was delighted to see how many students and families decided to participate.
“I was excited to see all the families that participated in the project because it shows how working together can bring about a beautiful result,” she said.
Walk 34On Wednesday Dec. 15, students gathered in the cafeteria so that McIntosh could give out special certificates to creations that received the highest scores from judges. Everyone else received an “honorable mention” certificate.
After everyone received their certificates, they were invited to take their creations back to their classrooms so they could take them home at the end of the day.
Kathy Bailey is the Data Manager at Walkertown. Her granddaughter Kamryn Duggins, who is in the second grade, created a gingerbread house.
Holding it up, Bailey said she is very proud of Kamryn.
“It is beautiful,” Bailey said. “She is very creative.”
Asked whether she is hoping for some present in particular, Bailey said, “Peace in the world.”
Original source can be found here.
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