Gingerbread exchange connects classmates with students nationwide

By mailing paper cookies and letters to schools throughout America, Sussex Academy kindergarteners had fun connecting with other schools during the holiday season.

Elementary Dean Connie Hendricks said students hand-decorated paper gingerbread cookies to include with letters describing what Delaware is like, and then mailed them to a school in each of the 50 states.

Most schools reciprocated, mailing their own paper cookies and letters to Sussex Academy. Students posted and kept track of the gifts they received from other states.

“It was so exciting to receive the mail, and the older students would even stop by to see what states were added to the display. We received gingerbread cookies from 48 out of 50 states. Our East Coast friends failed us – New Jersey and Maryland,” Hendricks said with a laugh.

Student Sasha Costello said, “We were excited when we received gingerbread men in the mail. We learned about schools in other states.”

Classmate Elijah Schrock said, “It was fun to look at all of the gingerbread men that we received each day.”

Kindergarten teacher Laurie Smailer said the exchange was a great way to expose students to regions across the United States.

"Students learned about different states, climates and landmarks while also learning about the many unique classrooms and learning styles throughout our nation," she said.