Winter Story Windows spreads holiday cheer in Mount Prospect

With the days before winter break missing the usual excitement of concerts, school assemblies and celebrations, teachers at Fairview School in Mount Prospect Elementary District 57 came up with a substitute: Winter Story Windows.

Large, colorful images that tell the story of the classic children's book "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats will adorn the school's windows in the 300 block of North Fairview Avenue from Monday, Dec. 14, through Monday, Jan. 4.

Families driving or walking should proceed south on Fairview from Gregory Street to Isabella Street. They can tune their radios to 89.7 FM and listen to Fairview literacy support teachers Kendall Roberts and Courtney Voss read the book, Jenny Kustra-Quinn said in a news release.

Those who are walking can scan a QR code to access the recording. At the end of the route, families are encouraged to donate a nonperishable food item for the Mount Prospect Food Pantry.

"With the holiday season being a little different this year, I thought this could be a fun activity that is close to home and also gives families a reason to get out of the house and do something together," said Voss, who came up with the idea.

Voss and Roberts re-created the illustrations from the story to display in large classroom windows. Students were encouraged to create paper snowflakes and drop them off at the school so they could be incorporated into the window displays.

The windows project helps launch Fairview's annual Kindness Week, Dec. 14-18. Students are encouraged to take a photograph of themselves doing something kind and send it in to be included in an all-school video. Those benefiting are asked to "pass on the kindness" so that one act of kindness can grow and have a positive impact on many.

Also during Kindness Week, families can pick up a rock from the front of the school, decorate it with kind and encouraging messages, then return it so it can be used to create a rock garden that will help everyone remember the importance of being kind.

"We are very excited to unveil Fairview's Winter Story Windows, particularly because our students have been learning remotely and haven't been able to spend time at Fairview this school year," said Principal Dan Ophus. "This will give families an opportunity to feel more connected to our school in a safe and unique way, while experiencing the joy of a creatively told story. It also fits nicely as one of our Kindness Week activities, as families will be given the opportunity to donate food to the Mount Prospect food pantry after enjoying the story."