Bossier elementary 'pays it forward' to Sandy-struck N.J. school | Arts & Culture

Apollo Elementary School in Bossier City is participating in a month-long project to collect funds for a class trip for New Jersey elementary school students.

Apollo's "Hearts for Highlands Elementary, New Jersey" effort runs from January 28 to February 28.

Highlands Elementary School, New Jersey was seriously affected by Hurricane Sandy. Highlands Elementary is located in the historic town of Highlands, New Jersey.

"Since New Jersey was one of the states that were so helpful to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, we would like to “pay it forward” by helping out an elementary school on the New Jersey shore which was devastated by the storm," Apollo officials wrote in a release.

Apollo’s principal, Mrs. Julie Dupree, contacted Highlands Elementary Principal William Ciullo to see how Apollo could help his school. Ciullo thought we could help his 6th grade students with the funds needed to take their traditional trip to Washington, D.C. The damage to the community has left both the school and parents unable to provide the funding.  The cost of the trip is $7000 or $400 a child.

The Student Council, 4-H club, and the Robotics clubs are sponsoring this service project.

Each student who collects funds will get to write her name and amount collected on paper hearts that the school will hang around the school. Business and community sponsors that donate will have special hearts hung in the school with other recognitions as well.

The students and teachers of Apollo also plan to study about the New Jersey shore, about the Northeast and about hurricanes. They also plan to meet the students and faculty of Highlands through Skype and hope to become pen pals with them.

Donations can be made through any Apollo student, by dropping by the school, or by mailing in a check to Apollo. The school also is planning to have collection cans in various businesses in the community. 

Donations can be mailed to Apollo Elementary, 2400 Viking Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111. Make all checks payable to Apollo Elementary. The school will forward one check to Highlands Elementary.