Centre Avenue kindergarten students and East Rockaway High School students came together this fall for a project that blended mentorship, creativity and hands-on learning — and ended with a meaningful holiday keepsake for families.
Kindergarten families received life-sized wooden snowmen modeled after their children, each one cut to match the exact height of its young creator. The keepsakes were the result of a collaborative, project-based learning experience between kindergarten classes taught by Brianne Allgier and Linda Grace and a high school technology class led by Hugh Howard.
The project began in November, when kindergarten students visited the high school woodworking shop. There, high school students measured each child and applied math and technical skills to cut 2x4 lumber to the correct height. Weeks later, the groups reunited to complete the project, working side by side to paint and decorate the wooden planks into snowmen with scarves, buttons and hats.
Beyond the finished product, students at both levels gained valuable skills from the experience. High school students strengthened leadership, communication and problem-solving skills as they guided their younger partners through each step of the process. Many learned how to adapt instructions, exercise patience and take responsibility for another student’s success.
Kindergarten students benefited from working with older peers, building confidence while engaging in hands-on learning. The experience reinforced early math concepts, encouraged creativity and helped students practice collaboration in an authentic setting.
The project integrated multiple subject areas, including mathematics, art, technology and social-emotional learning. It also provided students with a real-world application for classroom lessons, demonstrating how academic skills can come together in a meaningful way.
By connecting students across grade levels, the initiative fostered a sense of community and strengthened relationships within the district. Families were included in the final celebration as students brought home their snowmen, turning the project into a shared school and family experience.
For parents, the snowmen serve as more than holiday decorations. They are lasting reminders of their children’s kindergarten year — and of a learning experience that emphasized collaboration, creativity and growth
