DATE: Friday, November 14, 1997             TAG: 9711130521

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Education 

SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   34 lines

TRANTWOOD SCHOOL GIVES IN A UNITED WAY

Trantwood Elementary School students don't just raise money for the United Way. They raise lots of money. Record-breaking amounts of money.

This year, the children collected $4,601.25, more than either of the previous two years, when they set the national record for school fund raising. They expect to have official word soon on whether the record is theirs again.

In the meantime, they have established a tradition of giving that is passed down from class to class.

``It's a legacy now,'' said Glen Barr, SCA sponsor at Trantwood. ``It's kind of turned into Frankenstein's monster, but it's a good monster. It helps a lot of agencies around the area.''

The 724-student school raised more money than other elementary, middle and high schools, and some businesses, in the region.

``What a way to start children off understanding the concept of a gift to their community,'' said Michele Anderson, assistant vice president of United Way in South Hampton Roads.

Donations were raised through ice cream parties, an all-you-can-eat-pizza party and karaoke night, a teacher-staff basketball game and collecting pennies. ``Lots of pennies,'' Barr said.

Every child who made a donation was given a section of rainbow to color. All the pieces collected now span the school's cafeteria.

``We told them flat out, we don't care if you make another record,'' Barr said. ``Like grades, we don't care if you make straight A's as long as you try.

``They gave it the Trantwood try.''

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