Before Sara Harp Minter Elementary School students enjoyed a Christmas-themed concert from their chorus, Principal Kathy Corley made a presentation about the school’s fundraising efforts to help the relief effort for Hurricane Katrina.

There were numerous activities that the students, faculty, the PTO and several clubs at the school conducted or participated in to raise money for the American Red Cross and their relief fund for victims of Hurricane Katrina. In addition to canned good, paper goods and toiletry drives, the school held their first ever fun run, a yard sale that featured nothing but children’s clothes and toys and the Rainbow of Hearts program, which involved children bringing in money for different colored hearts.

“We wanted to show that we had a heart for all of their hurts,” said Corley, adding that the students proved they would “do whatever it takes to help people.”

Corley and Dr. John DeCotis, superintendent of schools, presented a check for $9,198.47 to Sherise Thomas of the American Red Cross before the concert.

“The American Red Cross helps people in need during disasters like Hurricane Katrina,” said Thomas. “We couldn’t do it without your help.”

Decotis addressed the students and stated, “I am proud of the work you have done for other people. You have risen to the occasion and it speaks highly of you and your school.”

DeCotis then told the students that the school had recently been awarded the Silver Award, an award given from the State Department of Education for schools at least 95 percent of students met Adequate Yearly Progress standards with at least 25 percent exceeding standards. The school must have met AYP for the last two years. Forty-three elementary schools in the state won this award and Sara Harp Minter was joined by Brooks, Cleveland, Huddleston and Spring Hill Elementary schools from Fayette County.

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