District 47 aids Texas schools affected by hurricane

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 students have adopted several Houston-area schools damaged by Hurricane Harvey, raising money for them and other relief efforts, including helping displaced animals.

Canterbury Elementary School Assistant Principal Kristen Cannon learned about a grass roots effort through social media that connects schools in need with schools wanting to help. Through the "adopt-a-school" program, principals create and share lists of most-wanted items with other principals nationwide.

Canterbury adopted Kate Bell Elementary School. Donation jars have been placed in every classroom to collect quarters brought in by staff members and students. In two days, the school raised $250 toward its goal of $500. Proceeds from the drive will be used to purchase gift cards for Kate Bell to purchase school and classroom supplies, as well as household items for the school community.

"As we launch our quarter drive, we've been educating students about Hurricane Harvey and the importance of helping others," Cannon said.

Fourth- and fifth-graders at Woods Creek Elementary School adopted a fifth-grade class at Moore Elementary School in Houston, which suffered significant hurricane damage forcing students to be relocated for the school year.

Gift cards and monetary donations are being collected and will be used to help purchase consumable science and other instructional materials. Students also will connect with a Moore fifth-grade class throughout the school year through social media.

Woods Creek third-graders also joined in fundraising, collectively the school raised more than $4,200 in gift cards, and consumable science materials.

Efforts to help hurricane victims include:

• Coventry Elementary raised $262 to help purchase containers and personal care items for fifth-graders at Garrett Elementary School in Houston.

• South Elementary is doing a monetary collection throughout October to benefit the American Red Cross' relief efforts.

• Glacier Ridge Elementary raised $1,400 for Paws Chicago to help pets and wild animals displaced by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

• North Elementary is researching options for helping hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.

• Hannah Beardsley and Bernotas middle schools have launched "change wars," where students donate loose change. So far, Bernotas has raised $3,200 for the American Red Cross and Hannah Beardsley has raised $290 for Vidor Middle School in Vidor, Texas.

• Lundahl Middle School has been collecting school supplies and household donations in its cafeteria to help Prep Northside school in Houston. In total, $400 and five boxes of school supplies were collected.