Fifth-graders leave gifts to Sanfordville Elementary as they move on to Middle School

Warwick — Last year’s fifth-grade class from Sanfordville Elementary School presented the school with two legacy gifts when they graduated from the school in June - an October Glory Red Maple shade tree for the school playground and a carved black bear mascot. A committee of 11 fifth-graders assembled in April to represent their classes in the selection of the gift, fund raising and the presentation of the gift. The team held a successful penny war between the fifth grade classes. A pizza party and an ice cream party were given to the classes that collected the most pennies and raised the most money. In all, the students raised more than $1,000. The gifts were presented to school Principal Roger Longfield during the June moving up ceremony. Purchase of the tree was aided by Manza’s Family Farm. It was planted by Phil Conroy of Yards Ahead Landscaping in Chester. The Black Bear carving, created by Jim Haggart of Jim’s Chainsaw Creations, is displayed in the school lobby to serve as an icon for the school’s new PAWS program. The program builds positive behaviors around Politeness, Accountability, Wise Choices and Safety. The legacy gift committee, led by Alexandra Mendenhall, included the following: Anna Costa, Casey Purtell, Drianna Velez, Isabella Jardine-Vistocco, Jackie Grundfast, Kaitlyn Fenton, Morgan Sirota, Olivia Beitz, Shannon Curtin and Sophia Amvrosiotos.