Pasta Night Turns Jefferson into Italian Cafe
The Jefferson Primary School gymnasium assumed the look of a busy Italian café last Friday, with several hundred parents and students turning out for the PTA's annual Pasta Night.
The evening is a Jefferson tradition. The crowd's collective appetite was whetted by the smell of fresh sauce wafting across the room. Although the names and faces may change from year-to-year, Pasta Night always manages to attract the school community's interest.
"I was very impressed with the level of support from our PTA and staff," Jefferson Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide said. "The PTA worked extremely hard to plan Pasta Night. Many of our teachers and support staff volunteered to serve dinner, sell raffle tickets and work the bake sale."
Ms. Capitulo-Saide was among the faculty and staff members serving up pasta and salad with smiles on their faces. Jefferson families and staff prepared a variety of dessert treats that were sold at a bake sale.
Paper and crayons were placed on each table for the youngsters to use for drawing. Parents chatted away, renewing old acquaintances and making new friends. Plenty of hot food was on hand along with the trimmings for a delicious meal.
Jefferson fourth grade teacher Pattye Sweeney served as the evening's hostess, greeting guests in the school lobby. Music teacher Dr. Claude Maseur provided entertainment, performing a long list of well-received classical pieces on his violin while parents and students dined.
The school's fourth grade orchestra also performed during the evening. A generous Jefferson family donated coffee and tea, much to the delight of the crowd. "Pasta Night was a complete success, generating lots of smiles and satisfied appetites," Ms. Capitulo-Saide.