PERU – Last year, it was the tsunami in Indonesia. This year, SAD 21 students in Peru and Dixfield are raising money for Hurricane Katrina victims.

Fourth- and fifth-graders at Peru Elementary School have launched Pennies for Peru. And, as an incentive, if the school raises $500 by Friday, Sept. 23, Principal Brenda Gammon is to dye her hair pink.

The students have a good track record of meeting their fund-raising goals. Last year, Peru Superintendent John Turner resembled Papa Smurf with blue-dyed hair.

The week of Sept. 19 through 23 has been dubbed Spirit Week, during which students and staff are to pay a dollar each day to wear a hat or pajamas, have crazy hair, chew gum or do other outlandish things.

Gammon said Thursday that fourth- and fifth-graders had formed a committee to brainstorm ideas for raising money for Gulf Coast relief.

Students at SAD 21’s Dirigo Middle School and Dirigo High School in Dixfield have also launched fund-raising penny drives.

Additionally, middle schoolers made about 75 colorful, sympathetic but cheerful cards for a parent to distribute to Gulf Coast children, said Principal Celena Ranger.

High school students plan to raise money from a dance and have been asked to donate clothing for a Dirigo High School graduate from 2000 and his family, who lost everything to the storm.

Scheduled to arrive in Dixfield on Saturday, they were given a place to stay by a former SAD 21 teacher.