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Originally delivered on 11/30/2025 10:52 am

SUBJECT: The Gator Blast: November 30, 2025

The Gator Blast

November 30, 2025

Brought to you by the Davidsonville Elementary School (DES) Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

The DES PTO Gator Blast
Information From Your PTO
Still Time to Donate Coats!

Our annual Coat Drive will run through Tuesday, December 9 at the Holiday Shoppe. Donations can be dropped off directly to DES or on the porch of our generous PTO Treasurer. Reach out to Jill Rosato with any questions or the address for porch drop-off address. 

See below for details on how to get involved in helping!

2025 Yearbook Cover Contest
Yearbook Cover Contest for Fifth Graders

DES 5th Graders: do you love to draw and design? We need your help to design the cover for this year's DES yearbook! One student's drawing will be chosen as the cover; Mrs. Wuest must receive entries by January 5, 2026.  

Click here or on the flyer image for additional important details about the design rules.

Fundraising
Chick-fil-A spirit day
See You at Chick-fil-A on Tuesday

Tired of cooking or holiday food? Join us at Chick-fil-A Edgewater this Tuesday, December 2 for our next Dining Out! Come support the DES PTO and a percentage of sales will be donated. The best part? It runs all day so no matter if you want breakfast, lunch or dinner, we have you covered.

Participants must mention this fundraiser prior to completing payment or opt-in to the mobile Community Cares Event using Code: Gators. View the full instructions in English or Spanish.

Gator Pride. Holiday Style.

Give the gift of green and white this holiday season! This year's collection includes three t-shirts, hoodies, golf umbrellas and Croc charms. Orders will be fulfilled and sent home with students so you can have your gear in time for the holidays. Buy yours today.

Holiday Shoppe
DES Holiday Shoppe

This year's Holiday Shoppe will be Tuesday, December 9, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. 

We are recruiting parent volunteers and elves to help with the event. If you are a parent interested in helping, or a parent of a fifth-grader who wants to be an elf, please click here to sign up. 

If you have any questions, please email Sophia Celino.

We will have Benny's Pizza Truck joining us outside with some tasty options you can plan on grabbing while you wait or take home for dinner 🍕

HS Flyer
Bake Sale

We're asking for help to make our 2025 Holiday Shoppe Bake Sale a huge success! Please use this form to sign up to contribute in any way that you can. We love all types of treats (homemade, store-bought, snacks, drinks, whatever!). Treats should be individually packaged.

All donations need to be dropped off at the front of school by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9.

Thank you for your generosity! It should be a great night. 

2025 Mystery Bags
Mystery Bags

Add some excitement to your holiday season with a DES Mystery Bag! Each bag is $25 and filled with fun surprises and special experiences — from unique school privileges and event perks to gift cards from local businesses, Gator Gear, and more. Every bag offers something different, so you never know what amazing treat you’ll unwrap! Online sales close Monday, Dec. 8!

2025 Drawing
Drawing Tickets

We’re offering special drawing prizes — and you choose exactly which prize you want to go for. Tickets are $10 each, and you can enter as many drawings as you like. Packages include sports memberships, fitness and photography sessions, a VIP parking spot, and a variety of unforgettable DES student experiences — like Principal for the Day, Lunch on the Roof, Art with Mrs. Wuest, Classroom Captain, PE Assistant, and more. Online sales close Monday, Dec. 8!

Get Your DES Ornaments

Pre-order a 2025 commemorative ornament to celebrate the holiday season and support DES for $7. A limited number of ornaments will be sold and are available for pickup at the Holiday Shoppe on Tuesday, December 9. Makes a great gift for your favorite Gator(s)!

Volunteering
Picture Retake Day

Help is needed for Picture Retake day! 

Help escort students to and from their classroom to the gym for picture retakes on December 3, from 8:15-10:15 a.m. Please sign up to help out if you are able! 

Help us Wash Coats for our Coat Drive!

Over the next couple of weeks we are collecting coats for our neighbors in need, but before they can be distributed they need some love, soap, and water! We are looking for volunteers to wash and dry donated coats at their homes. It is a small act that makes a huge difference in helping families stay warm this winter. 

Sign up here to help out! 


From the Community
14th Annual Jingle Bell 5K Run/1M Walk
Muddy Creek Artists Guild Holiday Pop-up Art Show & Sale
Looking Ahead
Sunday, November 30
Coat Drive
Monday, December 1
Coat Drive
Tuesday, December 2
Coat Drive
Dining Out for DES at Chick-fil-A
Wednesday, December 3
Coat Drive
2:30p Spanish Club
Thursday, December 4
Coat Drive
2:30p Chess Club
Friday, December 5
Coat Drive
Saturday, December 6
Coat Drive
Sunday, December 7
Coat Drive
Monday, December 8
Coat Drive
Tuesday, December 9
Coat Drive
DES 2-hour early dismissal
Unity Day
4:30p Holiday Shoppe
Thursday, December 11
2:30p Chess Club
Monday, December 15
6:00p Winter Concert: Band & Chorus
Tuesday, December 16
6:00p Winter Concert: Strings
Thursday, December 18
2:30p Chess Club
Monday, December 22
Winter break - No school
Tuesday, December 23
Winter break - No school
Wednesday, December 24
Winter break - No school
Thursday, December 25
Winter break - No school
Friday, December 26
Winter break - No school
Saturday, December 27
Winter break - No school
Sunday, December 28
Winter break - No school
Monday, December 29
Winter break - No school
Tuesday, December 30
Winter break - No school
Wednesday, December 31
Winter break - No school
Thursday, January 1
Winter break - No school
Friday, January 2
Winter break - No school
PTO Executive Board 2025-2026

President: Amy Forney
VP Communications:
Samantha Rhinehardt & Nicole Desrochers
VP Volunteer Coordinator: Brooke Zingler
VP Fundraising: Alison Moser
Secretary: Brenna Raines
Treasurer: Jill Rosato
Assistant Treasurer: 
Mary Boese

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