SILOAM SPRINGS — Many of the items in the school physical education department have been purchased thanks to the concerted effort of Andrea Rickets, elementary school PE teacher, students and parents collecting and turning in Box Tops for Education and soup labels to redeem.
“When we moved into the new building (the Primary School) we needed some things. The program has been very well used,” Ricketts said of both the Box Tops and the soup labels. “The kids are great about bringing them in.”
Twice a year, Ricketts turns in the labels. She has also received a grantfrom the Walton Family Foundation.
A teacher at the school for the past 25 years, Ricketts is a native of Pea Ridge and attended the Pea Ridge school when there was only one building.
“This started at the elementary level,” she said.
“The kids - kindergarten through fifth grade - know who to bring it to - either me or the school office.
“I even have former students who no longer go to school here bring in labels and Box Tops,” Rickets marveled.
She also receives the pop tabs off aluminum drink cans for Andrea Mondy who collects them for the Ronald McDonald House.
School, Pages 9 on 12/01/2010