WCPSS Schools Provide Tsunami Relief
March 2, 2005 - The world's most powerful earthquake in more than 40 years struck deep under the Indian Ocean on Dec. 26, triggering massive tsunamis that obliterated cities, seaside communities and holiday resorts, killing tens of thousands of people in a dozen countries. A number of WCPSS schools have worked to assist relief efforts for countries that suffered from the storm's effects.Carver Elementary
Carver Elementary students raised over $2,000 for the Tsunami victims in
less than five days. Demonstrating their Wake County Character Traits (Kindness,
Self Discipline, Respect, Responsibility, Courage, Integrity, Perseverance
and Good Judgment) they saved their pennies and snack money to help the
victims in this time of need. The children presented a check to Barry Porter
with The American Red Cross on Feb. 15.
Reedy Creek Elementary
The students and staff at Reedy Creek Elementary raised $3,070 to contribute
to UNICEF for the tsunami relief effort. Reedy Creek Principal Dixie Frazier
said that two third grade teachers, Meighan Adamouski and Leah Mulder, organized
this project.
East Millbrook Middle
Students and staff at East Millbrook held a special ceremony Feb. 8 to present
$2032 to Barry Porter of the Red Cross for Tsunami Relief victims. The donation
comes from proceeds from the school's successful Pancake Breakfast for Tsunami
Relief held on Jan. 29 at the Crazy Fire Mongolian Grill.
At East Millbrook Magnet Middle School for International Baccalaureate and Creative Arts has spent the year grappling with the essential question, "How Can One Person Make A Difference?" Over the December holiday, students and faculty felt the weight of that question in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster and asked, 'What can I do to help?'
The pancake breakfast saw a packed house throughout the morning, with special guests Superintendent Bill McNeal, City Council member Jesse Taliferro, and WCPSS Board Members Susan Parry, Kathryn Watson Quigg, Patti Head serving as guest pancake flippers throughout the morning. Students served as servers, greeters, and hosts, while staff made batter, worked the kitchen and bussed tables. The event was sponsored by a variety of business partners of the school, including Crazy Fire, Sam's Club, International House of Pancakes, Chic-Fil-A, BeeLine Travel, Monarch Foods, FedEx Kinkos, Gambar Cheesecakes, and Heritage Golf Club.
Holly Ridge Elementary
At Holly Ridge Elementary, teachers and students held an Executive Community
Leaders Workshop Feb. 16 as part of their tsunami relief project. They identified
community leaders and invited them to visit the school and make a ceramic
elephant to be sold at their Market Day on Saturday Feb. 26. Once leaders
made the elephants, students were assigned to do the glaze work on the project.
The project was organized by teacher Beverly Crow and students of Holly
Ridge Elementary School
Cary High
The Cary High School Naval Junior ROTC cadets finished their fundraising
effort with a total of $2,911 that has been donated to the American Red
Cross for tsunami relief.
Ligon Middle
Students in Karen Thorsen's Drawing class at Ligon Middle have turned 8
drawings and 8 Haiku poems into 8 different calendar sheets to support tsunami
relief. The drawings are powerful and the haiku thoughtful. The calendars
are 12x18 with the 12 months at the bottom and art at the top. Thorsen said
she is proud of their work and their effort on behalf of children. Money
from donations for the calendars will be given to UNICEF. For more information,
contact Thorsen at 856-7929 or kthorsen@wcpss.net
Fuller Elementary
Four Fuller Elementary fifth-graders presented a check for more than $2,000
to the Red Cross Jan. 24. Students Vimy, Meghana, Diana, and Anusha organized
a Tsunami Relief Effort at Fuller Elementary. During a two-week period,
the students collected $2,056.00.
Willow Springs Elementary
Willow Springs Elementary School sold 740 dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts,
raising approximately $2,000 for tsunami relief efforts. The PTA distributed
doughnuts Jan. 20. The money will go to the Red Cross for medicine and other
supplies. Principal Charles Langley said their project gave children a chance
to help, and it re-enforced the school's character education program.
Farmington Woods Elementary
Students from Farmington Woods Elementary are raising funds for the victims
of the Tsunami. They have raised more than $2,500. The school is part of
the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Linda Gaskins of
Farmington Woods said the money will go to UNICEF and to the International
Baccalaureate Organization's relief efforts. Gaskins said students are being
given strips of construction paper that they will link together to represent
the way the people of the world are connected. More information on the IBO
Tsunami Relief Fund is available at www.ibo.org
Middle Creek Elementary
Middle Creek Elementary sponsored a crazy hair day fundraiser last month.
The children raised $508 for tsunami relief that was sent to UNICEF.
Swift Creek Elementary
Schoolwide efforts at Swift Creek Elementary raised $2,601 for tsunami relief.
One first grader came up with the idea of setting up a lemonade stand in
her neighborhood to raise funds. With the help of family and friends, she
raised $177.
Salem Middle
Students at Salem Middle School will hear from Ray Buchanon, the head of
Stop Hunger Now at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 8. Buchanon will visit the
school to talk with students about tsunami relief efforts in Asia. He has
just returned from the efforts and will be bringing some slides of what
he found. Salem Middle students conducted a tsunami relief fundraiser that
collected around $6,000 that was donated to "Stop Hunger Now."
Principals or teachers with information about additional WCPSS tsunami releif efforts should e-mail Bill Poston at bposton.