Middle schoolers ‘dress up'to aid victims

HARDYSTON-Students at Hardyston Middle School "dressed up" on Friday, Sept. 9, as part of a fund-raising effort on behalf of victims of Hurricane Katrina. Appropriate attire suggested for girls included a skirt, dress, or dress pants. Suggestions for boys included a collared shirt and/or a tie. Monetary donations were collected during lunch periods on Thursday and Friday. Both the Hardyston Middle School and Elementary School faculty and staff also participated by having a "dress down" in jeans day. Staff and faculty made monetary donations as well. In addition to the district's fund-raising efforts, the student council will hold a dance for students in sixth through eighth grades of the Hardyston Middle School, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30. All proceeds will be sent to the Red Cross. The school's cross country team will also hold a bake sale at the Hardyston Invitational on Sept. 29 (rain date Sept. 30). Among the student population of 260 and staff of 37 the fund-raising efforts were experienced as a fun, learning and joint effort. Students of both the Hardyston Elementary and Middle School also set up donation tables at their back-to-school nights on Sept. 22 at the elementary school and Sept. 29 at the middle school. The elementary school students are participating in the coming weeks with grade level activities such as hop-a-thons, crazy hat day, odd sock day, no homework day and red shirt day for the Red Cross. Students are also being made aware of the devastation through classroom lessons. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross to aid in the disaster relief.