The school's associated student body officers met Jan. 3 when they returned from winter break and decided they needed to take action, according to Kris Munro, the school's activities director. The students started a "Panther Tsunami Relief Drive," with all the donations going to the American Red Cross.

Teachers have been passing around envelopes to collect funds every day after the morning announcements, Munro said. She added that students are being challenged to donate $1 a week for three weeks, allowing the school to raise approximately $4,000. The school has an enrollment of about 1,300 students.

Students have also been collecting funds at lunch, basketball games and in front of Safeway in the Westgate Shopping Center, with the aid of the school mascot, bells and cans. In the first four days of the drive, students had already raised $1,664, Munro said.

"These kids are really stepping up to the plate," she said. "To be honest, we have a lot students who come from backgrounds where they don't have a lot of money. But they are really reaching into their pockets."

Members of the community are encouraged to contribute by sending checks to the school at 18900 Prospect Road in Saratoga; the checks should be addressed to: "Campus Tsunami Relief Drive."

"I've been really excited and impressed with the students," Munro said. "They've all volunteered to take on time serving as the Panther mascot."

Jane Park, the student body president who has also been wearing the mascot suit, said students who wouldn't normally get involved in other activities on campus are participating in this drive.

"We show clips of the disaster, and students realize the money is going to people in need," Park said.

She said the morning school announcements, which are televised in the classrooms, are bringing the tragedy closer to home and helping to raise school spirit and unity.

For more information or questions, call Prospect High School at 408.253.1662.

Other local schools have also joined the fundraising effort:

* Foothill Elementary School, 13919 Lynde Ave., Saratoga. Students will be sending support to orphaned children by donating new as well as gently used teddy bears and blankets. Second- and third-grade brothers Billy and Bobby Vithanage, who both attend Foothill, have grandparents who live in Sri Lanka, so the donations will be delivered directly to an orphanage there. The school will also be having a bake sale. Proceeds from the sale will help fund the cost of sending the care packages and be added to an ongoing collection fund for tsunami relief. The school's student leadership teams, student council and the "Dolphin Doers" will assist in coordinating this collection, according to Foothill Principal Nancy Ondrejka. The "Dolphin Doers" is a group of students who do special services for the community. Parents Kelly Berman and Peggy Garland lead the "Dolphin Doers" and can be contacted at 408.867.4119, if members of the community wish to contribute. Checks can also be made out to "Foothill Elementary School Student Funds—Tsunami Relief," and mailed or dropped off at the school office.

* Saratoga Elementary School, 14592 Oak St., Saratoga. The student council met to brainstorm ideas to raise money to help rebuild homes, villages and businesses in South Asia, said Principal Marybarbara Zorio. Classes will be selling items such as lemonade, popcorn, baked goods and hot chocolate before or after school and during recess. Funds will also be collected in classroom money jars and combined into a container located in the school office. For more information or to contribute, contact teacher and student council advisor Debbie Tanguay at 408.867.3476, ext. 227, or email dtanguay@saratogausd.org.

* Argonaut Elementary School, 13200 Shadow Mountain Drive, Saratoga. The school is collecting cash and checks for The United Nations Children's Fund tsunami relief efforts, and posting cut out golden bears in the school's multi-purpose room to recognize each donor, regardless of the amount. For more information or to contribute, call the school office at 408.867.4773.

* Redwood Middle School, 13925 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. Students are organizing a coin drive, which is a fund-raising competition between grade levels, according to Principal Beth Polito. Student activities director and leadership teacher Diane Smalley can be contacted for more information or if members of the community would like to contribute at 408.867.3042 ext. 248.

* Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto. Musicians and the choir from Saratoga High School will participate in a Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Spangenberg Auditorium. All proceeds from the event will be given to the American Red Cross. Janet Verson with Saratoga High's music department said they are hoping to raise $10,000 from the event through both tickets sales, at $10 for adults, as well as donations. Verson can be reached at 408.867.3411, ext. 398, for details.