West End School Raises Money for Japan

Students at West End Elementary School came together last Thursday to help raise money for those devastated by the recent earthquake, tsunami and subsequent aftershocks and nuclear disaster in Japan.

The school's Student Council organized a pizza party for students in grades 1-5; while third-grade teacher Marisa Amalfitano and her students created poems and artwork, which they sold at the school's recent Art Show. Amalifitano's class raised $285. The total amount raised from the pizza party was not immediately available.

All proceeds from the fundraisers will go to help the victims of Japan via the American Red Cross.

"It was actually the students' idea," said West End Elementary School principal Allison Puliatte. "They see [the tragedy] on the news, they talk about it at home, in the classrooms, as well as the teachers talking about current events happening in the country and around the world."

Puliatte says the school's Student Council has organized many community service events in the past. The Student Council also had help from advisors Lori Gus and Jackie McDougal, Puliatte added.

"I think it was a very positive experience because the children were able to learn about people and different events going on around the world," Puliatte said. "They were really able to develop some empathy for the families going through this tragedy. The children are really very proud of themselves."

Anyone interested in making a donation to the American Red Cross may do so at www.redcross.org.