Neighbor News
Hillside and Eliot School Teachers and Parents Team Up For 5th Annual Basketball Game
Fundraising is a Team Sport at Neighboring Elementary Schools
NEEDHAM, MA. February 5—For the 5th consecutive year, teachers and parents from Hillside and Eliot schools will meet at Needham High on March 6 for a spirited game of basketball to raise money for each school’s PTC. Doors open at 6:30pm. Tip off is at 7pm.
The two schools met on the basketball court for the first time in the spring of 2011—selling out within minutes of opening doors and exceeding revenue goals. The following years have generated even more success and created tremendous excitement in both school communities.
Leaders at Eliot and Hillside are optimistic that the upcoming March 6 rematch will again produce an outstanding result.
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Says Bonnie Schneiderson, co-President of the Eliot PTC: “The basketball game is the event everyone waits for. Our teachers jump at the opportunity to be on the team.”
To recapture the excitement of prior years, Eliot and Hillside are jamming the night with a variety of family-friendly attractions and activities. These include a student-led singing of the National Anthem, half-time 5th grade free throw contest and the sale of school-branded sports novelties.
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Modell’s Sporting Goods is also running a “TeamWeeks” promotion, enabling both schools to raise more money through in-store sales in the weeks surrounding the event.
Administrators at both Eliot and Hillside are already anticipating another great event.
Chanit List, assistant principal at Hillside, says, “I enjoy the game every year. The students love seeing all of their teachers, and it’s a great way for teachers to get involved in a popular fundraiser for the school.”
Roderick MacNeal, Jr., who last year participated in his first game since taking over as Principal of Eliot, echoes those thoughts: “Last year was an outstanding event and a terrific way to bring together two great school communities. I have been looking forward to this game for the past year.”
In the spirit of collaboration, the schools offer two opportunities for parents and teachers from both teams to practice together—one immediately after school and another in the evening.
Teachers Wow Students
Not surprisingly, the big stars of the game are the teachers. They get the loudest cheers when handling the ball.
Both Eliot and Hillside make special efforts to stack their team rosters with teachers.
Says Gia Jeas, a 1st grade teacher at Eliot and veteran of the game: “It’s a great night for everyone, and it’s wonderful for the teachers to have the support of all the students and teachers. It’s truly a night to remember!”
