Annual Fund Drive

Marshall Jefferson Annual Fund Kicks Off

Look for your invitation in your child’s backpack, or go to www.marshalljefferson.org to donate online.  Remember – every penny of your donation goes directly to fund ongoing projects such as field trips, cultural arts programs and bringing more technology into the classrooms.  Thanks for your support – you are helping the PTAs enrich the school experience for all of our children.  Have questions?  Ask Concepcion Hinge(Cag1601@yahoo.com) or Dawn Larson (dmmckeaney@yahoo.com).

Bowcraft Extravaganza!!!

Our Bowcraft “fun”raiser was almost thwarted by the rainy May weather but thankfully we had a beautiful day for the event on the scheduled rain date.  A huge thank you to Jen Culhane and Hope Goldberg and their team of volunteers for pulling the whole event together.  Marshall and Jefferson kids (and their chaporones) had a great time!!!

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March Madness: Minute to Win It

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On March 24^th, more than 250 people enjoyed Marshall and Jefferson’s own version of the popular game show, Minute to Win It.  First grade teacher Don Keizer served as emcee for the evening, while Principal Susan Grierson demonstrated the games, along with 5^th graders Chloe Gonyea, Hunter Kovacs, Ally Krause.  50 contestants competed in 10 rounds of games, using household items such as tissues, toilet paper, and plastic cups to complete each challenge in 60 seconds or less. The 10 winners went on to compete against each other in the two final rounds, which were won by  5^th grader Dean Gillette and 4^th grader Riki Saito.  Many thanks to Julie Pauly of The Able Baker for donating cupcakes, and to the community businesses that donated prizes:  Clearview Cinemas, Coldstone Creamery, Kitchen a la Mode, the Liberty Science Center, Scriveners, SOPAC, South Orange Pharmacy, Sparkhouse Kids, Village Ice Cream Parlour, and the Village Trattoria.

March Madness: Tapas in Tuxedo Park

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Don’t Miss the Marshall Spiritwear Sale: Camo T-Shirts Now Available!!!

Show your Marshall spirit!!!

Now offering the new “camo” tee in black; the multiple color tie-dye tee; the green tie-dye tee; black mesh shorts; and the gray, zipper hoodie.

Sale starts on Friday, March 18 and runs through Friday, April 1.  Order NOW so you don’t forget.  Click on the order form below, fill it out, and send it with your payment through your child’s backpack.

Remember to label the envelope: PTA Spiritwear Sale.

Spiritwear Order Form

March Madness Continues: St. Patrick’s Day Party and Cupcakes N’ Crafts

Marshall and Jefferson families enjoyed the early St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Saturday, March 12th at Scott and Sonya Selig’s house.  Festivities included musicians playing Irish music, a potato decorating contest, crafts for kids, snacks and beer, and fun outdoors in the beautiful weather.

Tons of fun was also had at the Cupcakes N’ Crafts event hosted by Devinka Peiris and Theresa Gonzales on March 13th, Sunday afternoon.  Fifteen Marshall and Jefferson kids helped mix and bake cupcakes, decorate cupcake carrying boxes, and adorn four different cupcakes.  They each created a lion, a lamb, a butterfly, and a flower cupcake to help welcome the spring season.

(Click on the title above to enlarge photos)

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Mardi Gras Mixer Kicks Off March Madness!

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What a party!  Thank you to all the supportive parents and Principals who dressed up, donned their masks and beads, and came out to help kick-off March Madness at the Mardi Gras Mixer.  The food, decor, and company made the event a great success.

A special mention to all of the parents who volunteered their time and energy to cook, tend bar, hire the band, run the raffle, decorate, solicit donations, and generally pull the whole event together. Thanks also to our local merchants who generously donated to the event:  Eden Gourmet, O’Reilly’s, Roman Gourmet, and St. James Gate.  Their support is deeply appreciated.  (Don’t forget them when you are out and about in town.)

Check out the photos of all the fun and craziness of the evening.

Check Out New March Madness Events!

Click the link below to read about new events added to March Madness.

March Madness New

Encore! Encore! Congratulations Variety Show Participants and Families!

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What a show!

It was a busy week that led up to a magical day, where all of our performers had a chance to shine! Bravo everyone! The Marshall-Jefferson Variety Show was a huge success!  This year’s theme was “Free to Be You and Me” adapted from the record album and illustrated book first released in November 1972 by Marlo Thomas.  The show’s songs salute such values as individuality, tolerance, and happiness with one’s identity.

The show opened with an energetic number from Marshall Group Dancers performing from the title song “Free to Be You and Me.”  The students played and danced with colorful ribbons to start the show off with great enthusiasm.  The next few hours allowed Marshall and Jefferson students and their families to show off their singing, dancing, acting, and instrumental skills in a variety of acts that delighted the packed auditorium.  Some highlights included Katie O’Leary performing an Irish dance, three second grade girls dancing to “Cotton Eyed Joe”, and the Marshall kindergartners performing “Sing” with parent, Michael Steiner on guitar.  After a short intermission, the show resumed with the Marshall Musical Theater group performing “Kids.”   Margery Leit and her father, David, brought the poetry of Shel Silverstein to life using expressive emotion and body language.  The Principals, Dr. Allen, and Mrs. Grierson, surprised the audience by with a comedic dance number backed by a troupe of teachers.  There were great family acts, some group dances, the Jefferson Comedy troupe, and the final act of the Jefferson Group Dance performing “Sing! Sing! Sing!”  The show ended with all the student gathered on stage singing “Free to Be You and Me” for the finale.

Each year the Marshall-Jefferson Variety Show grows in size and spectacle. Almost 250 children participated in this year’s show, which was held on Saturday, January 22,2011 at the South Orange Middle School Auditorium. Three cheers to show Co-Producers:Bethany Pettigrew, Tricia Benn and LuAnne Kleppe on another wonderful show. Special thanks to Musical Director Maria Seigenthaler for helping the solo and small group actsto be the best they can be.

There are so many more people to thank! Because of the magnitude of the event, a member of each participating family was given a volunteer job to do. Thank you all so very much for helping things to run so smoothly! We also want to give special thanks to some people who went above and beyond: thank you to our Group Act Directors –Kim Baugh, Tricia Benn, JoAnne Hankey, Suzanne Hevner, Bethany Pettigrew, Maria Seigenthaler and Michael Steiner; Program Designer – Leslie Goldman; Volunteer Coordinators – Karen Harris-Kingsley and Suzanne Turner; the Backstage Crew -Dana Longstreet, Howard Petruziello, Tara Ragone and Ilysse Rimalovski; the Emcee Directors – Suzanne Hevener, Elizabeth Mills Smith and Judith Wolochow, and helpers Mr. Keizer, Rose Salinardo, Ilena Silverman and Jesse Wendt; our Walker Captain –Shawn Schnall (we’ll miss you!); the T-Shirt Captains – Sharon Demas-Braunstein and Sabine Hack; Check-In Captain – Nancy Kovacs; Treasurer – Sarah Morrison; and all the area captains.

Marshall Book Fair a Great Success!