Elementary Students Participate in Community Project

Planters are arranged at the corners of each intersection on Main Street in Dresden from Dave Longaberger Avenue to 10th Street.  These planters are maintained by Dayle and Karen Bailey of the Dresden Beautification Project.  

During the Christmas season, the Baileys put small Christmas trees that they made in the planters.  About five years ago when they first began decorating the street corners Michelene Sheppard suggested that the Dresden Elementary kids make ornaments for the trees. “I loved the idea…”, said Karen, “so I called and asked if the teachers would like to do it.”  The answer was yes!

Students from each grade, K-4, make a unique ornament with a certain theme for each class; reindeer, snowmen, etc.  Ornaments from the school are typically collected and placed on the trees by Karen and Dayle but first-grade teacher, Mrs. Martin, walks her class down to “their” tree so the kids can hang their ornament on it.  The tree which is located on the corner of 10th and Main is adorned with 23 uniquely decorated snow globe laminated paper ornaments each with a picture of the decoration’s creator on it.

The kids felt special to be able to hang their ornaments on the tree and they had fun doing it. Mrs. Martin explained that she likes bringing the kids down to decorate because “it gives them a sense of community and ownership.”