GARGIULO EDUCATION CENTER

SPRING 2014

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORDear friends, You may have noticed that for the remainder of this year our monthly newsletter has turned seasonal... and for that I apologize. But we have been busy here at the Gargiulo Education Center! Our kindergarten students have incorporated a lot more song, dance, and recitation into their afternoon classes thanks to a generous stereo system donation from Thomas Robinson. In February we had a fabulous Ellie Kai trunk show profit share event hosted by Club Mediterra; 15% of all sales were donated to the Center, and a number of fun ladies came out to support us.

We have also been joined by an additional six students, bringing our total number up to 58! We do have a stalwart team of 30 volunteers that help us weekly, though, so it was an easy transition. With only two weeks left, we are still hard at work. Thank you for all your support! Until next time,

Katie

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ARTWORK BY: LARRY AGE 5, EMILIO AGE 81 GARGIULONEWS•SPRING2014

RECENT EVENTSREADING TO RABBITSAndrea and Alex Stetson join us each Thursday with their well-trained pet rabbits in order to incentivize hesitant readers to practice! Their first session included information about the rabbits, their training, and their growth. VALENTINE’S DAYFormer director Miss Pam generously assisted us in hosting a special Valentine’s Day for the students. Gargiulo Education devoured a delicious sheet cake and other treats, while the room was decorated in true holiday fasion. Our kindergarten students wrote Valen-tines with their teacher, Miss Siwiec.

THE CEILING IS FALLINGWe unfortunately did have to close down for a week in March when an air conditioning duct fell through our ceiling; fortunately it happened overnight and no one was hurt. The Gargiulo Farms staff were instrumental in helping us get back on our feet as quickly as possible!

BOATING TRIPOur elementary students enjoyed a dolphin-sightseeing tour thanks to the help of the ladies in the Mediterra Bible Study group and Freedom Waters Foundation. It was most of the students’ first time ever on a boat, and while a few were anxious getting on, all left with huge smiles on their faces.

MUDDY BUDDIESWe are very excited to have a new teacher among us! Susan Shelly worked in Lee Country for years, and we sucessfully recruited her for Collier County when our Mrs. Slack left to spend more time with her new daughter. Mrs. Shelly held a short cooking class with each grade to create a chocolatey “muddy buddy” snack. Students learned how to use tablespoons and measuring cups, and tired their arms out in some energentic stirring!

FROM TOP: KESIA AND HER READING BUDDY; CAKE FROM MISS PAM; CEILING FALLS IN; DOLPHIN VIEWING THANKS TO MEDITERRA BIBLE STUDY AND FREEDOM WATERS FOUNDATION.

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THANK YOU FRIENDS

FROM TOP: MARIA GRADE 1, OSCAR GRADE 33 GARGIULONEWS•DECEMBER2013

SPRING IN REVIEW

FROM TOP: ROSALINDA AND EASTER EGGS, REY AND MARCOS ON THE BOAT, THE GROUP ON THEIR FIELD TRIP, ALEX READS JUNIE, SELINA AND FRIEND.

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YOUR SUPPORT

VOLUNTEERThe success of the Gargiulo Education Center is not possible without your support. There are many ways in which you can support us throughout the year. We are always looking for volunteers, both to commit to a regular weekly schedule and to be “on call” when we’re short-staffed or need field trip supervisors. Please let us know if you would be interested in helping out, even for just the last week—the kids would love to meet you!

SPREAD THE WORDPass this newsletter on to your friends and family, and share our posts and updates via social media. “Like” us on Facebook, “follow” us on Twitter, and encourage your friends to do the same!

@Gargiulo_Ed

facebook.com/GargiuloEd

GargiuloEd@gmail.com

DONATEThis month, we’re also looking for the following monetary support and material donations:

• Healthy dry snack options (pretzels, whole wheat goldfish and crackers, nuts, trail mix, etc.)• Paper goods (paper plates, dixie cups, napkins, paper towels)• Large posterboards and index cards• Arts and crafts supplies• A love seat or arm chair to build a reading corner