In her physical education class at Woodmont Academy, 13-year-old Hailey Buller has been pumping metal -- not iron exactly -- but metal.

The eighth-grader's gym class regimen over the past month has included exercises such as push-ups with her hands propped up on various canned food items.

In a project aimed at both fitness and charity, Hailey and her classmates have been collecting canned goods for the needy and using some of the cans as exercise equipment in gym class.

"It's not just helping people who are hungry, it's helping us," said Hailey, an Ellicott City resident, of the school's "Get Fit to Feed" canned food drive.

The program was organized by physical education teachers at Woodmont, a private Catholic school in Cooksville.

"I ... remember an article somewhere about using things around your house for an exercise program and it included canned goods," PE teacher Regina Smutz said.

Smutz and fellow PE teacher Pam Geier decided to promote the school's monthly virtue -- the month of September was devoted to a theme of giving -- by organizing a canned food drive to benefit Our Daily Bread food pantry in Baltimore.

Each student was asked to contribute two cans to the drive, which resulted in a collection of more than 200 items, Smutz said.

"Two cans may not go too far, but two cans times the school population can feed a lot of people," Smutz said.

During the food drive, students devised many ways to integrate cans into gym class.

"They were very good with coming up with creative ways to use the cans," Smutz said.

In addition to Hailey's modified push-ups, some of the students' can-inspired exercises included leg lifts, jumping jacks, arm stretches and hand weights.

"You kind of put more thought into gym," said Kellen McDonald, a 13-year-old eighth-grader from Columbia.

Woodmont Academy is continuing its food drive and staff members plan to deliver the collection to the food pantry next week, according to Smutz.

Organizers hope to make the program an annual event.

* Centennial High School will host a band competition called "Marching Under the Stars" Saturday, Oct. 10 from 6-10 p.m. at the school's football stadium. The program, which is being held under the auspices of the United States Scholastic Band Association, will feature four Howard County high school marching bands along with other groups from Maryland and Virginia. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Gates open at 5 p.m. The school is at 4300 Centennial Lane, in Ellicott City. For more information, go to www.centennialmusic.org.

* Wilde Lake Middle School will hold its 40th anniversary celebration on Oct. 15, from 6:30-8 p.m. Current and former Wilde Lake Middle students and staff are invited to attend.

Organizers are seeking school memorabilia to display at the celebration, such as memory books (from before 2000), pictures of traditional school events like outdoor education, old staff photos, pictures of "open classrooms," items with former mascots on them (e.g. the Wave), pictures of the school in previous decades, and other items of this nature. In addition, they are looking for people to share their favorite WLMS memory. The school is at 10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia. For more information, e-mail joanna_tanner@hcpss.org.

* Mt. Hebron High School is holding a yard sale Saturday, Oct. 10 from 7 a.m. to noon. Spaces are available for rent for $15. Donated items are welcome. Proceeds will benefit the freshman class. The school is at 9440 Route 99, in Ellicott City. For more information, e-mail gregory_murach@hcpss.org.

* Bollman Bridge Elementary School, has planned a "Boys Night Out" event on Oct. 15 for boys in third through fifth grade and their fathers and other significant male role models in their lives.

The event will take place at the school from 6 to 9 p.m. and includes activities such as basketball, computer training, and break-out sessions for the men and the boys to learn about their importance as individuals.

The event is intended for Bollman Bridge families, but community members are welcome to join the event, according to organizers.

Dinner will be provided and the evening is free. The school is located at 8200 Savage-Guilford Road, in Jessup. For more information, call Jacqueline Torbit, school guidance counselor, at 410- 880-5920.

* The Oakland Mills High School Theater Arts Department is holding a Longaberger basket bingo on Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Games begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the event. The school is at 9410 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia. Call 410-884-2844 or e-mail jeanneandlarss@verizon.net for details.

* Centennial High School's PTSA is selling 2009-2010 Entertainment Coupon Books for the Maryland/Washington, D.C. areas. The books are available for $25 at the school's front office through Dec. 15. Purchases may be made at www.entertainment.com/support (account #131639). The school is at 4300 Centennial Lane, in Ellicott City. For more information, e-mail vbohr@verizon.net or call 410-992-0322.

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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