The students at Folly Quarter Middle School in Ellicott City and Woodmont Academy in Cooksville have caught the altruism bug.

Students at the two schools have been involved in fundraising and service activities in the past few months.

At Folly Quarter, eighth-grade Spanish students "adopted" the Central American country of El Salvador in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month last fall.

Through their "Change for a Change in Panchimalco" drive, the students collected donations and school supplies to support a school in El Salvador, Panchimalco School.

The students raised $1,321.50 to purchase backpacks and other school supplies that were shipped to the Panchimalco School on Jan. 14. Folly Quarter parent Robert Twigg assisted with the fundraising project, which also was coordinated with help from the Embassy of El Salvador in Washington, Spanish teacher Isabel Machado said in an e-mail.

"The students were very excited about the project and they feel that they have helped others who have much less than they do," Machado said.

While the students "adopt" a Latino country annually, which culminates in a presentation to the entire school, this year they decided to include a fundraiser as well, according to Machado.

The spirit of service also is strong in Cooksville, where students at Woodmont Academy held an Apostolic Service Day Jan. 19.

The service day involved acts of service on and off campus performed by the school's 300 students, said Stephanie Blake, communications and promotions director for Woodmont, a private Catholic school.

The day of service was scheduled to coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day in honor of King's commitment to service, according to a press release from the school.

One group of middle school-aged students spent the day scraping, sanding and staining the floor of a 100-year-old barn at the Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Center in Glenwood, while another group of students visited and entertained the residents at senior centers in Montgomery County, according to the release.

Some of the school's younger students made rosaries to send to their sister school, the Mano Amiga School in El Salvador.

* The St. John's Lane Elementary School book fair will take place from Feb. 23-26. The school is at 2960 St. John's Lane, in Ellicott City. Call 410-313-2813 for more information.

* The Glenelg High School Marching Unit is holding their citrus fruit sale. This month they are offering Florida red grapefruit, California navel oranges and temple oranges. Orders are due by Feb. 13 for fruit to be picked up at Glenelg High School on Feb. 28. Order forms are available from the school office, by contacting Cindy Desrochers at 410-489-4977, e-mailing fruitsales@glenelgbands.com or by downloading one from www.glenelgbands.com.

* The Learning Cottage, a Columbia preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds, is hosting an open house on Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 410-740-1255, e-mail thelearningcottage@verizon.net or go to www.thelearningcottage.info.

Send school-related items to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564 or e-mail mroshan@patuxent.com.

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