What color icing should the doors and windows be outlined in? Chocolate dots or mini marshmallows on the roof?
For one hour, the week before winter break—when classes wrap up with assessments and projects are due—students put academics on pause and consider questions like these. Winter Wonderland, John Jay’s gingerbread house extravaganza, is an annual tradition that everyone looks forward to.
The pre-winter break is a creative break. “I love seeing the kids enjoy themselves in the middle of the day,” said parent Mavis Wright, who co-chairs the event with Paul Kuszynski. “They work so hard, it’s great to see them doing something fun together.”
From the moment students walk into the cafeteria, they are enveloped in the sights and sounds of the holiday spirit. At one end of the room, Route 121, the school’s house band, performs “Jingle Bell Rock.” Smiling parents stand behind tables serving bagels, donuts, fruit and juice. All around the big space, students gather around tables trimming gingerbread houses with licorice sticks, chocolate kisses, gum drops, mini marshmallows and more.
The event runs across all lunch periods, and features performances from The Treble Makers, The Notables, Route 121 and a Cello Trio from the JJHS Orchestra.
By the numbers: 250 gingerbread houses, 45 tubs of frosting and 100+ bags of candy, 65 dozen donuts, and a school-fun of smiling students!
Special thank you to the PTO Board: Mavis Wright, Paul Kuszynski, Lisa Valdes, Teryn Kendall and Kailin Tu; Winter Wonderland Chairs Julia Hadlock and Jill Mango; John Jay’s amazing custodial staff: Matt, Farrell, Ray, Josh, Danny, Ron, Rolf, Tony, Bobby, Pete, Steven and Jose; and dozens of volunteers!