Struthers 4th-graders build sweet memories
By sarah lehr | slehr@vindy.com
STRUTHERS
Like any good architect, Gianna Taaffe samples her materials before using them. The 10-year-old and her grandmother, Janet Bartell, used frosting to affix wafer cookie “bricks” to the roof of Gianna’s creation.
Fourth-grade students at Struthers Elementary School spent Monday afternoon making gingerbread houses.
The activity is an annual tradition at the school. Each student has the opportunity to invite one guest.
“The students like having one-on-one time with their parents or whoever they choose to bring,” said fourth-grade teacher Pam Jones. “Their families and our school family have the chance to get together.”
Another teacher, Amy Sainato, said she’s had students come back years later and tell her how much they enjoyed the experience.
Livi Busico, 10, and her mother, Nicole Busico, collaborated on a gingerbread house bedecked with graham crackers and sour jelly candies.
Nicole said it was their first time making a gingerbread house that didn’t come from a kit.
“It’s pretty cool that the school used this as an opportunity to really let them [students] use their imaginations,” Nicole said.
Peyton Bova used his imagination to design a Youngstown State University-themed house.
The 9-year-old and his mother, Carie Scahill, a librarian for the elementary school, drew a “Y” with icing and created a roof-tile pattern using red and white M&M’s.
Peyton’s dream is to one day play football for the Penguins.
Another fourth-grader, Randy Spencer, 9, made a Christmas tree from an ice-cream sugar cone and stuck it outside his gingerbread concoction.
Randy said he looks forward to the holidays each year.
“It feels good when you give something to someone else,” he said.