As the handles on the clock moved mercilessly, we hustled to put the last few tools out on the tables. We barely had time to reflect on the past few weeks - it was a blur. It was a hectic time, planning, shopping, economizing, Pinterest research, more shopping, and even a pre-test with a few student volunteers to make sure we were ready. 

The first few guests walked in and we switched over to Host mode.  We gathered the students and set them up at each station.  They spent the next hour and half decorating wooden frames with embellishments, creating their own scented bath salts from scratch (yes, they mixed and stirred and shook their litte jars) and finally glued tissue paper onto votive jars for one-of-a-kind candles for the home. 

Parents relaxed in the back with refreshments and tried not to peek as their children made gifts for them.  Topping off the evening with hot cocoa and a big cookie, the families left with their hand-made gifts and smiles.

Ok, did I mention it was raining?

And it did become a little crazy somewhere in the middle when each bath salts jar had to be tied with a pretty ribbon and personalized tag and there were some spills occasionally....but it's all part of the experience! 

It was a joy to put this together and make it happen for our families.  Here are some cute photos so you can see what we did!

We followed our fearless leader into the heights and depths of float building….and it was a magnificent journey!  Geraldine White, our Spirit Committee visionary and fellow PTA officer, took her idea and made it a reality in just five days.

Special thanks to Maurice at Home Depot, Mr. Flemming at the main building, Dave Terrizzi for building the bold wooden structure, and Troop 2567 Girl Scouts and their moms, Ryan and Sheldon Marryshow, and Xinia Mejia for helping us to decorate this fantastic float!

We’re proud of our school and we’re proud of our team!

Our PTA Staff Luncheon in the cafeteria was a warm, cozy spot on a rainy day.  Over panini’s and salads, our Davison Avenue school staff took a break and reminisced about their summer adventures. 

For some, it was a summer of new beginnings (Ms. Simos is now Mrs. Schwendel, Ms. Torchen is now Mrs. Christensen and our nurse, Mrs. Cracco, had a new baby). 

For others, it was a summer of dilemmas (Mrs. Thorp taking the elevator with her boot cast on is hopefully a temporary thing). 

And for some, it was a summer of opportunities, as Mrs. Ebbets finally makes a home for her kiln - get ready for Pottery lessons, kids!

Welcome to our new staff members: social worker - Martine LaVenture and teachers/teaching assistants Heidi Kenny, Catina Sementini, Courtney Nespola-Galakis, Rachel Amper and Kaitlin Fehn.

Welcome to the Davison campus, Rachel Gross!

We look forward to working with our Davison Avenue staff over the next 10 months - let’s make it a year to remember!

(Special thanks to our volunteers Francine Maione and Kathleen Kasal for lunch set-up).