By Ann DeCerbo
Botelle students and parents celebrated the beginning of the school year at a Welcome Back Ice Cream Social sponsored by the PTO. The event was held on the playground and ice cream was served by the school’s new administration, Superintendent Mary Beth Iacobelli and Principal Matt O’Connell.

The school children have also enjoyed fresh vegetables from their class beds in the Community Garden during these first few weeks of school. Notably, first graders made their own veggie pizzas using garden-grown tomatoes, peppers, parsley and basil. Homemade tomato sauce and chocolate zucchini cake in the cafeteria are scheduled in the coming days.

Botelle held an Open House on September 17, giving parents an opportunity to visit their children’s new classrooms and meet their teachers. Classroom and specials teachers held presentations detailing their class format, schedule, and goals for the year. They also debuted their new webpages. Accessible from the newly updated Botelle School site, the teacher pages are rich with class photos and information about special projects.

The Botelle PTO will hold their annual Bootelle Spooktacular Halloween Party on Friday, October 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Highlights of this popular event include a haunted hayride and themed games with prizes. Admission and activities are free. Refreshments are available for purchase.