DECEMBER 22, 2009 ISSUE
Watauga Elementary Snow Creations Going Up in Downtown Boone
DBDA and Local Elementary Schools Team Up for Community Project
Thanks to an initiative by the Downtown Boone Development Association and Watauga County elementary school students and teachers, children from Hardin Park Elementary are making snow creations while Green Valley Elementary School children are making snowflakes in their classes so downtown Boone businesses—such as The Lucky Penny, pictured here—can hang them on their windows from now until February 2010.
Every year during the holidays, the Town of Boone has decorated the downtown area by displaying snowflakes on town light posts after the first winter snow. This year, thanks to the Downtown Boone Development Association and Watauga County elementary school students, the snowflakes will have much more meaning.
The Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA) and Watauga County elementary schools recently joined forces to construct a way to get the community together during the holiday season by having school children create snowflakes and snow creations to be put on display in the downtown Boone area. Children from Hardin Park Elementary are making snow creations while Green Valley Elementary School children make snowflakes in their classes so businesses can hang them on their windows in late December and leave them up until February 2010.
Mary Baker, DBDA assistant director, had a big part in starting the project.
“This year, the DBDA wanted to do a community project that would help tie in art with the spirit of the holidays by decorating downtown Boone. I contacted Hunter Wall, a pre-kindergarten teacher at Hardin Park Elementary, to see if she and her class could be involved; and to see what the appropriate route would be for the school system. She had already been in the process of having her students make snow creations with coordinating stories, so, we decided on art that could be put up in the windows of local businesses in Boone,” explained Baker.
The children were able to share their creations and stories with their families at a literary event on December 18 as part of the Raising a Reader (RAR) program.
“After the children have presented their snow creations, we distribute them to the businesses. We’ll give each class a list as to where the children’s artwork is posted so they can come with their families and find their artwork. While they’re here, we hope they take some time to enjoy the Town of Boone during this holiday season,” said Baker.
The pre-kindergarten literacy event, held at Hardin Park Elementary School, was arranged for the parents of the children to come to the classroom to hear their child’s stories and see their snow creations.
“The children held up their snow creation for the parents to see, while I read their stories out loud. Each child also gave their parents two presents they created with art. They also performed the song Jingle Bells, using American Sign Language and their voices. The event was originally scheduled for [December 18], but we had to change the date to [December 17] because of the snow storm that’s expected; we thought this was perfect timing for the kids and their snow creations,” said Wall.
The children were given two books at the literacy event, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and Sadie and the Snowman by Allen Morgan. This was made possible by the schools Title 1 funding.
“It was nice to be able to give the children books to keep at home in their own library through these funds,” said Wall.
The RAR program has also been the source of other events for children during the year. “We had a Spooky Story Tea in October where the children created their own stories and illustrations and shared them with their families and received their first Red Book Bag. Each week the bags are rotated so the children get a new set of books to share with their families. We have asked parents, siblings and other family members to read the books with the children each week. The children have been very excited to see what new books they have in their Red Book Bags,” said Wall.
Although this is the first year for the displays of the snow creations throughout the town of Boone, Baker hopes it continues as a tradition in the area.
“It brings out the spirit of the holidays in downtown Boone and it also brightens the long evenings and short days of winter. We were so happy to be a part of this program and to help promote the snow creations as a part of the community project in the area,” said Baker.
For more information, email Baker at maryellabaker@gmail.com or Wall at hunwall@gmail.com.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
