IMAGE GALLERY: Candy Land in the Cafeteria

Every winter at Windham Center School, the fifth grade students march back to their home rooms with gingerbread houses in tow, fresh off constructing them in the cafeteria.

According to fifth grade team leader Sherry Dufour, they walk right past the fourth grade classrooms, reminding those students that in one year, they will get the opportunity to build the houses for the holidays.

Dufour said that it's a tradition at WCS that's been going on for at least 20 years. This year, 208 students, 10 teachers and at least 75 parents were in on the action, building the delicious houses for what Dufour called a "fun and educational opportunity" for everyone.

Not only is it academic, but she said it's also a positive holiday opportunity for Windham as a whole.

"It brings the school community together with the parents," said Dufour. "It's kind of the last chance before the kids move to middle school."

According to a press release for the event, plenty of volunteers were responsible for the operation. Chris Andon, Kristen Letourneau and Leslie Katimy served as parent volunteers. They did the shopping for everything from graham crackers to gum drops.

The release went on to detail the educational merit of the event, saying it gives the students a chance to "practice following directions, listen and respond respectfully to others, use their spatial skills and enhance their spatial sense while experessing their creativity."