AME's busy October calendar
By Diana Bogan
islander Reporter
Anna Maria Elementary School has several events happening in October, so get ready to mark your calendar.
First up, students will take part in Fire Prevention Week, which begins Oct. 3. Firefighters from the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District will visit the school and give a fire prevention presentation to all grade levels.
Next is a special birthday celebration to commemorate the media center's "Squirrel's Nest," in memory of former teacher Pat Wagner. The squirrel's nest houses books on nature, and a special fund to which donations can be made are used to purchase books to add to the nest.
The fifth-grade "Leadership Team" will decorate a memorial tree in the courtyard for Wagner's birthday, Oct. 16, which is also the date the squirrel's nest was created three years ago.
In the new school building, a special reading nook that extends from the media center is being built specifically for the squirrel's nest.
Tuesday, Oct. 18, will be the first student production of the 2005-06 school year in the school auditorium. Third-graders will perform the musical "Just for Grins" at 7 p.m., following a Parent-Teacher Organization dinner, sponsored by a local restaurant, and meeting.
From Oct. 23 to Oct. 31, students will learn about Red Ribbon Week through the morning news program. AME Guidance Counselor Cindi Harrison said School Resource Officer Pete Lannon will join her on the morning news and speak to students about drug prevention. On Oct. 28, Harrison will hand out reminders of the drug prevention message - either a red ribbon, button or other item that students can wear.
The month ends with the annual PTO Fall Festival, which is an annual school fundraiser. This year it will be held at of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach. There will be prize drawings and game booths hosted by each AME class. New this year will be a tattoo and hair-coloring booth. Other favorites will return, such as the duck pond, skeet ball and putt-putt golf.
There will be food available from local restaurants and prizes donated from local businesses.
The event will begin with costumed students parading on Gulf Drive to the church, where there will first be a costume contest.
Prize tickets will be on sale at the upcoming Bayfest celebration Oct. 15 in Anna Maria. The class which sells the most tickets will be rewarded. In addition, the class to donate the most baked goods for the bake sale will win a pizza party from Papa John's restaurant.
For more information about school events, call 708-5525. |