During the Pleasant Valley School District's Board of Education meeting Thursday night, Director of Bands Jim DeVivo told members, "We want to give you a big thank-you to the school board and our administration for providing the band with all new instrument cabinets."

DeVivo then told members that drum majors Abigail Zahoroiko, 16, and Kacey Burrus, 17, would present them with before and after photos of the band room so they could see the improvement. He also invited members to stop by to see the room in person."(The cabinets) absolutely look stunning," DeVivo said, "and the kids themselves are just overjoyed with how great the band room looks ... they really are that amazing."In addition, they presented the board with a thank-you card signed by band members and also individual Pleasant Valley band baseball caps. Lastly, the drum majors presented a salute to the board members on behalf of the entire marching band.Geary later said that the school board funded the project because it was determined to be an area of need.In other news, Geary announced that the district's second annual "Bear Walk" fundraiser was planned for Oct. 10 at the intermediate school.Geary said the event "raises a tremendous amount of money" for Pleasant Valley's elementary and intermediate schools, noting that last year it raised about $30,000 for use toward field trips, assemblies and similar activities.She said there will be "all kinds of fun events happening there," like receiving a charm for completing a lap, etc. "It's a great family thing."Also, math supervisor Joshua Krebs said the upcoming annual K-6 "Family Math, Reading & Technology Night" at the elementary school is going to be "Awesome ... legendary, as a matter of fact."He invited board members to attend, later explaining the event will involve three new "larger shows" this year, including an interactive math game show called "Arithmetickles," a reading magician and "Mad Science," which will do two live science demonstrations.Krebs said games prepared by the teaching staff and Pleasant Valley students will also be set up throughout the school. Plus, free hot dogs will be offered at the "fun academic event," he said, which begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. He extended an open invitation to the public to attend.