Students at Merriman Park Elementary recently cracked open their piggy banks to contribute allowances and even birthday money to help the victims of Haiti.

The initiative, called Helping Hands for Haiti, raised over $1300 in just two weeks.

Students contributed as little as 50 cents and as much as $20.

One student decided to bring $1 for each child in his class, so that the entire class could participate in the fundraiser.

For each donation, students wrote their names on paper hands, which were then placed on a wall size mural in the main hallway of the school.

The mural depicts a colorful map of the distance from Texas to Haiti, along with basic information about earthquakes and the tiny island.

The goal was to create a “chain of hands" from Lake Highlands all the way to Haiti, and Merriman Park met that goal!

Funds raised through MPE’s Helping Hands for Haiti are being donated to the American Red Cross.

At the same time, the school was welcoming its littlest future students to campus for the first session of the Pee Wee Panthers in 2010.

On January 22nd, prospective 2010-'11 kindergarten students were welcomed to campus to participate in a P.E. class with Coach Brooks, and circle time with kindergarten teacher, Ms. Moore.

All the Pee Wee Panthers enjoyed games, reading activities and spending time with Sparky, the MPE panther mascot.

"It's so worth it to come," says Lisa Wentzel, mother to 5-year-old Maggie, future MPE student.

"Maggie is participating in her second year in the program, and she now feels more comfortable with the teachers and the school."

"She enjoys seeing all the other kids and having her picture taken with Sparky. She hasn't stopped talking about it!"

Each child who participates in the program receives a goody bag containing an MPE t-shirt, pencils, a notepad and window sticker.

Also included is information for the parents concerning kindergarten curriculum.

While the first session was a huge success, two more sessions are still on the schedule - so everyone can participate.

Upcoming dates are February 19th and April 16th, both hosted at the school from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

To register or for more information, email Kristen Harris at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Christina Etri at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)