NMHZ families celebrate the season at Winterland

Families enjoyed a festive gathering, even getting a chance to meet the Gingerbread Woman, at Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School Monday evening, as the school hosted their first ever Winterland celebration. 

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Activities were organized by the Student-Centered Activities Team, a group of about 15 teachers led by second-grade teacher Simone Oliver and Reading Specialist Laurie Tucci. One of the major goals of the event was to engage with parents, who are a vital part of any student’s academic success.

“We want our parents to know that this is our school community; it's a place where we can come together, we can socialize, and it also supports academics as well,” said Principal Danielle Davis-Marrow. “So, it's something that's good for the kids, good for the parents, good for us, and it makes the kids really enjoy where they go to school.”

Students rotated through stations to get their faces painted, play holiday games, make holiday crafts and write letters to Santa. Students also shopped at the Scholastic Book Fair with their parents, picking up their next pieces of literature to dive into. 

“We wanted to provide an opportunity for children and their families to come locally, close to home, and have a great evening that was interactive, immersive and inclusive,” Ms. Oliver said.

“We have to work together – we can't do anything without the other teachers and parents. 
And so, it's a great opportunity to get to be around each other outside of academics, which of course, are critical.”

Over 100 students and parents attended Winterland, and the proceeds from the event raised money for future student-centered activities. Teachers, including those on the Student-Centered Activities Team, volunteered their time to make Winterland a success, and the PTA also provided support.

“It's full of snow and happiness!” said Joey Ramone, a sixth-grade student at NMHZ, when asked what makes him excited for the holidays. “It's nice to come with my parents so that all of us could enjoy the school.”

One parent, Emmanuel Oforio, did his part by coming out for a night of fun despite heading right to work afterwards. 

“My work starts at 7:30, so from here, I'm going straight to work. And I didn't want him to get bored, so I had to bring him over here to have fun,” said Mr. Oforio, whose son, Emmanuel Jr., is in second grade. 

“This helps the kids ease off their stress. It’s stress-free,” he added. “Nobody takes their kids out in the winter – it's cold. So, if the school’s having an event like this, why not? You gotta bring them in and have fun.”

His son, Emmanuel Jr., said that this event made him even more excited for the holidays. He also said that he’s most excited to give people presents in a few weeks.

Students rotated through the activities with their families and friends before ending the night with a line dance led by Assistant Principal Tanganyika Lindner-Brown! 

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