Peninsula raises $17,000 for tsunami relief Peninsula raises $17,000 for tsunami relief (March 23, 2005)

"Gang Green," the gung ho name for Peninsula School's annual three-week environmental program in Menlo Park, took a timely focus this spring -- the tsunami.

Concerned about the devastation caused by the December 26 tsunami that swept across coastal Southeast Asia, the kids wanted to learn about the science of tsunamis: What are they and how do they happen?

The tsunami focus seemed like an opportunity to teach about the environment, as well as altruism and activism., said teachers Christy Utter and George Zaninovich.

Gang Green's 14 students in grades 4-8 did homework assignments, research and class presentations that spurred them to action. They decided to sponsor a school jog-a-thon to raise funds for tsunami disaster relief. They set a goal of raising $5,000.

They presented their findings to each class at the school, made signs, helped design the jogging course, and made the event happen.

Their hard work and enthusiasm paid off. The jog-a-thon raised $17,000 for the Save the Children Foundation, earmarked for tsunami relief.

Students in this environmental program during past years worked on river development projects, designed re-useable cloth tote bags and created "what-you-can-do information" for the school about conservation of resources.

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