School Board

WOWbutter and jelly time
On Nov. 25, Pine View School for the Gifted students were officially awarded the Guinness World Record of most sandwiches made in an hour.

In May, about 600 students dipped their knives into creamy WOWBUTTER and grape jelly in a race to beat the record for amount of sandwiches made in an hour. The school’s Interact Club hosted the event. Students exceeded their goal of 5,000 sandwiches.

The 5,721 sandwiches were donated to local food banks. Any donations raised above the cost of supplies were donated to Life for a Child.

Taste of Italy
Ronnie Riceberg’s third grade class welcomed author Joseph Spinella Monday, Nov. 25, in their classroom at Phillippi Shores Elementary. The students were finishing a writing assignment about things they are thankful for when the author, donning an Italia soccer jersey, arrived with a suitcase full of props to accompany the reading of his book, “From Green, White and Red to Red, White and Blue.”

Prior to reading his book, Spinella talked to the students about the history of Italy and his life. The students participated in a question-and-answer portion of his presentation and won prizes for correct responses.

“I enjoy involving the students in my presentation by quizzing them and asking them questions about what I’ve talked about,” Spinella said. “Some of their answers are so funny.”

Spinella, who is originally from Sicily, has visited and read his book to more than 80 classrooms.

SMA salutes Country’s fallen servicemen
For the fifth year in a row, the Sarasota Military Academy is leading an effort to honor America’s fallen servicemen for the holidays. SMA is trying to secure sponsorships for the Wreaths Across America campaign to come to Sarasota National Cemetery to honor each veteran buried there with a remembrance wreath. SMA hopes to raise funds for 6,800 wreaths. The campaign coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, in Washington, D.C., as well as at veterans cemeteries across the country. This year’s wreath-laying ceremonies will take place Dec. 14. Visit sarasotamilitaryacademy.org to donate.