Students from Ridgeview Elementary School partnered with Washington County officials to raise $3,455.70 for victims of the recent hurricanes. contributed
Each year, students in the Washington County School System focus on positive behavior during EPIC Week.
The EPIC! (Encourage. Protect. Invest. Connect) initiative was implemented in 2009-2010 by former Director of Schools Ron Dykes and continues to evolve as a school-wide positive behavior support program, which encourages students to actively practice Responsibility, Respect and Cooperation in their school and in their community.
During EPIC Week, eighth-grade students at Ridgeview Elementary School decided to exhibit their EPIC behavior, and “connect” to people who were affected by the recent hurricanes. They issued a challenge to the entire school to participate in a coin drive to raise money, an effort they called “Hurricane Help.”
Every student in the school was encouraged to donate money. The students collected a little over $1700 with their school-wide coin drive. To increase the impact of their coin drive, the students and teachers sought members of their community who would consider matching their donation. Washington County Commissioners, Mark Larkey and Bryan Davenport, and Washington County School Board Member, Clarence Mabe stepped up to the task, contributing an additional $1700.
As a direct result of the students’ compassionate action and the generous support of Mr. Larkey, Mr. Davenport and Mr. Mabe, a check for $3455.70 will be donated to The American Red Cross to aid victims of the recent hurricanes.
