Note from the PTO

Hi Members,

June is traditionally a busy time for year-end school activities.  The Pine Glen PTO has sponsored some popular events this month, in addition to the Pine Glen Barbecue highlighted in a previous email.

Children in grades 1-5 enjoyed a fun-filled Field Day on Thursday,  June 2nd.  Inflatable rides, water and pizza for volunteers were donated by the PTO.  We would like to thank former Principal Jane Dwyer for face painting many of the children.  Thanks also to PTO member Robin Hurley, for donating additional pizza when we ran out due to the great number of parent volunteers that came to help.  Thanks to all the volunteers and P.E. Instructor Christie Govoni, who chaired this event.  We received many priceless thank-you notes from the students.

On Friday, June 3rd, the fifth graders attended their final field trip together at the Cedardale water and recreation park.  The PTO funded the bus costs, water, and T-shirts for this trip.

David Biedrzycki an illustrator and author came to the school on Tuesday, June 7th.  He engaged the students with his stories on how his characters go from sketches to the cover of his books.  He also explained where he gets his ideas.  One place is the Harvard Museum of Natural History that was recently visited by the second graders; they thought that was really cool.  He was generous with answering the students questions at the end of the presentation.  Many thanks to Michelle Gaffney for again chairing the BEEP Enrichment Committee and for coordinating this day.  The PTO annually funds an author/illustrator visit.

Finally, the PTO provided and served refreshments to the 5th graders and their guests after the moving-up ceremony last Thursday, June 16th.  We would like to thank Lisa Crowe, Joanna DeFrancesco, Kristen Downie, Deb Murphy, and Kruti Thakkar for assisting me.  As parents of fourth graders, they were not planning to attend this event with their child, but came to the school to help run this PTO event - an extra effort.  Many thanks to Julie Gosselin for purchasing and delivering the refreshments.  The fifth-graders received yearbooks, purchased by the PTO, after the ceremony.  We would like to thank all the parents who worked on publishing a fantastic yearbook.  Especially, Michelle Gaffney, who also chaired this committee.  These books will serve as precious reminders of their days, friends and teachers at Pine Glen.  We wish them all the best in middle school.

As you can see, the PTO provides wonderful enrichment for all Pine Glen students.  We look forward to working with you next school year and hope that you will continue to support the fine work of the PTO.

Wishing you a terrific and relaxing summer break,

Maria Woods and the Pine Glen PTO Board