December, 2015
The East PTO Digest is a monthly recap of all the great activities, events, and initiatives the PTO sponsors. Special thanks to Nancy Morris and Jessica Buonagurio for their contributions to this month's edition. A big thank you to PTO volunteers Kyle Awtry, Robin Ross, Kyra Frank, Jessica Buonagurio, Joy Foraste and Katie O'Brien  for making all of these special events happen.  We hope you enjoy it!
Events

Snowflake Sale
The annual East School Snowflake Sale was held December 5th for all East School students.  Children who participated brought in new, unwrapped items for particular age groups based on grade. It was a wonderful opportunity for East School students to shop for holiday gifts for friends and family and to enjoy the yummy treats in the Snowflake Cafe, hosted by the Fifth Grade.  Shoppers were able to purchase up to 8 items at 50 cents each. Students came prepared with their very own shopping lists and Fifth Grade Elves helped the younger shoppers. 
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Christmas in the City
More than 50 children and parents from East School volunteered on Saturday, December 19th at the Boston Convention Center as part of Christmas in the City.  They cheerfully searched through hundreds of donated gifts to match a first, second, or third choice from a child's wish list to make their Christmas dream come true.   Christmas in the City is a completely volunteer run event in which homeless children come to a Christmas party and receive a meal and gift.  

PTO Appeal Prizes Awarded
Popsicle Parties and Extra Recess!
Thank you to all the families who donated to the East PTO Appeal. At the All School Meeting on December 18 the winners from the final raffle were announced for two prizes. Classrooms with the highest percentage of participation per grade will get a popsicle party: K - Mrs. Day; 1 - Mrs. Martin; 2 - Mrs. Yodzio; 3 - Mrs. O'Neill; 4 - Mrs. Doolittle; and 5 - Mrs. Sullivan. The Grade with the overall highest participation is 2nd grade and they will get an extra block of recess.
Getting To Know . . .
Beverley Vernon (Third Grade Teacher)
Q:  What do you enjoy most about teaching?
A:   I love to learn.  I enjoy thinking about how people learn and what is a way to help a person understand. I heard these words the other day from a student, "Now I get it." What a good feeling for a teacher.  I like the laughter of the students and the interaction between students as they help each other understand what they are learning.  

Q:  If you weren't teaching, what would you like to be doing?
A:   I thought about being a forest ranger.  I worked in the Shenandoah Mountains for two summers helping restore trails and assisting at the tourist and information centers.  We even helped watch a fire line so there were no flare ups.  I love the outdoors and love history.
 
Q:   What makes you laugh the most?
A:    I laugh with my husband laughing at Ellen DeGeneres and her jokes and games and interactions with guests.

Q:  Who is your favorite author?
A:   I enjoy reading Barbara Kingsolver.  She has books about her family's effort to grow their own food and eat locally grown food (Animals, Vegetables and Miracles), and a book about ecological issues set in rural Virginia (The Prodigal Summer).  Another book is about Africa and the life of three girls who are the children of a missionary (The Poisonwood Bible), and Kingsolver delves into Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo and their relationship in Mexico and their life from the 1930's to 1940's (The Lacuna).  She has written 16 books and if I didn't like to read Malcolm Gladwell books too, I would have read them all.

Q:  What is your favorite movie?
A:   I just have to say it: The Sound of Music.  I love the story, the music and it is just as good in live theater.
We Need You!
When parents get involved, kids do better! Click here to visit the East PTO Volunteer Spot portal and sign up for one day events or ongoing committees! 

Give once. Your kids benefit all year long. All of the PTO events and programs are funded by your generous donations!

STAY CONNECTED:      
For questions, or if you have content you'd like to share for an upcoming Digest, please contact Kathie Cronin at [email protected] or Sarah D'Souza at [email protected].