At Fulton Elementary School, some traditions have a way of capturing the heart of a community. Each December, families, students, and staff gather for Gingerbread House Day, an annual celebration that brings creativity into a shared space and allows students to enjoy the season with the people who support them the most.
This year, more than 65 families filled the gym for an afternoon that felt warm and welcoming from the moment the doors opened. Staff members arranged tables covered in red paper, prepared trays of supplies, and greeted families as they stepped inside. The tables held graham crackers, icing in squeeze tubes, bowls of candy, pretzels, and a collection of materials that encouraged families to build in any direction they imagined. The gym echoed with the early sounds of children calling out to classmates, caregivers finding their seats, and volunteers helping students gather what they needed.
As the event began, the space settled into a steady rhythm shaped by each family’s pace. Some students organized every piece before starting. Others jumped right in with a handful of icing and an idea they had been waiting to try. Parents rotated between steadying walls, opening candy wrappers, and taking photos to capture early progress. Older siblings stepped into quiet leadership roles, guiding younger brothers and sisters through each stage and finding ways to encourage them whenever a wall fell or a design needed to be rebuilt. Families who had participated in previous years shared their strategies with newcomers, offering advice on how much icing to use, how to support a roof, or how to layer crackers so the house stayed firm.
The gingerbread houses grew into thoughtful expressions of each family’s style. Some structures towered with multiple levels. Others focused on detailed decoration along the windows and edges. Many students placed candy in patterns that showed careful planning and artistic choices. Others created designs that reflected the excitement of the moment, resulting in houses filled with color and movement. A few houses collapsed and were assembled again with more conversation and laughter than frustration. In every direction, there were small exchanges that defined the heart of the day. A parent brushing crumbs from a child’s sleeve. A student proudly announcing that their creation was complete. A caregiver asking for a photo so the memory could be saved.
What stood out even more than the gingerbread houses was the atmosphere that filled the space. Families settled into conversations that had time to breathe. Students relaxed in a setting where they could show their talents to the people who matter most to them. Caregivers who normally arrive during busy pickup times had the chance to sit in the gym and feel connected to the school in a meaningful way. Teachers and staff watched these moments unfold and were reminded of how important these relationships are to a student’s experience.
Family engagement is a central priority across the district, and events like this one help strengthen the relationships that support academic growth and emotional well-being. Gingerbread House Day invites families into a familiar space for a purpose that feels joyful and easy to participate in. It allows students to see their caregivers and educators working in the same room in a way that builds connection and comfort. It gives staff a chance to learn more about the families they serve while families gain a deeper sense of the environment their children experience each day.
Fulton’s team created an event that felt welcoming from the moment families arrived. Preparing materials, arranging the gym, greeting families, coordinating volunteers, and supporting students through each step required thoughtful planning. The result was an afternoon where more than 65 families could slow down, build together, and start the winter season in a memorable way.
As the gym began to clear and families carried their creations toward the door, the feeling of connection stayed behind. Gingerbread House Day has grown into more than a seasonal project. It stands as a reminder of how strong school communities are built through moments when students and families feel comfortable, supported, and included. The houses may be temporary, but the time spent building them creates a sense of togetherness that continues well beyond the season. For more photos, visit us on Facebook.
