When physical education teacher Kyle Campbell enters his storage closet to get equipment, some wonder if he'll make his way back out. That's because the room is so jam-packed with items that often the only way to get in to the closet is to move everything out.
So when Campbell approached PTO president Hilary Odoy about working together to enter Gopher Sports 2008 Extreme Equipment Room Makeover, she was all for it.
Gopher Sports was looking for creative entries that explained how the school would make over its equipment room and improve the health of its students. Top prize was $25,000, with five first-place winners receiving $5,000 and 10 runners-up, each receiving $1,000 (prizes were gift certificates to use at Gopher Sports).
Pine Grove's crew went to work to film a very creative two-minute video that explained "The Top 10 Reasons Why Pine Grove School Deserves an Extreme Makeover," featuring Campbell, fifth-grade teacher John Collyer as David Letterman and guidance counselor Bob MacKenna as the bandleader, Paul Schaffer.
Student actors who helped out are Ryan and Jeffrey Campbell; Thomas and Lilly Anderson; Mae, Colin and Sarah Ganzenmuller; Marianna, Ellie and Kyle Odoy; Maddie Quigley, and Julia Reynolds. In addition, a 500-word essay was submitted highlighting the top five reasons Pine Grove's equipment room needs the makeover.
Campbell was informed early last week that the school had won in the runners-up category.
"We had a great time working on the video and the effort was well worth it," Campbell said. "We are excited to be a recipient of $1,000." He noted that the money, along with some from the PTO, would be put toward purchasing equipment and materials to reorganize the storage closet.
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The PTO will host the annual ice cream social today, rain or shine, at the school from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition to delicious ice cream from White Farms, hot dogs and Sal's pizza will be available. The ever-popular dunk tank will be filled up and ready for drop-ins, and an obstacle course will be set up to test visitors' agility. All proceeds benefit PTO-sponsored programs at the school.
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MCAS is back. Those in grades three through six will take exams during the week, with Friday being the makeup test day.
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There will be a School Committee meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Triton Regional High School.
Preschoolers will celebrate Mother's Day in the classroom with their moms over tea and snacks today.
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Fifth-grade teacher Elizabeth Stephan will teach a Pine Grove softball clinic for girls in grades four through six, beginning Wednesday. The clinic, which will be held after school from 3 to 4 p.m., will run for four weeks.
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Pine Grove's annual yard sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. Many items will be available such as furniture, toys, books, puzzles, CDs, household goods and more.
Michelle Pelletier Marshall is a correspondent who covers Rowley and Merrimac. She can be reached at marshallsinmass@comcast.net.
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