Buffalo Ridge students lead annual canned-food drive, report nearly 11,000 donations

Buffalo Ridge Elementary principal Nate Nassy introduced a student-led celebration at the Campbell County School Board meeting, highlighting the school’s repeated wins in the district’s annual canned-food drive.

"We ended with just under 11,000 donations for the couple weeks that food drive ran," said Alexis Boonas, a fifth-grade teacher who runs the school’s student leadership program. Boonas said the leadership team — chosen from about 40 applicants — plans and organizes the drive, runs spirit days and coordinates packaging and distribution.

Students who spoke described favorite activities like Golden Ticket Day, spirit days and working as a team to package donations. Teacher organizers said the event is driven by students in grades 4–6 who complete an application and a non-family letter of recommendation to participate.

Principal Cassidy used the appearance to report school data and instructional strategies that leadership credits for recent gains. He told the board Buffalo Ridge’s overall achievement score rose to 59 after prior years at 52 and 56, and he described use of Panorama and a ‘‘15‑day challenge’’ in PLCs to focus instruction on a small set of non‑negotiable learning targets.

Cassidy also highlighted well-being programs, including CharacterStrong, Junior Hope Squad and behavioral leadership coaching for staff and ESP personnel designed to improve common-area behavior and student leadership.

The presentation drew praise from trustees who urged colleagues to visit Buffalo Ridge for classroom showcases such as the school’s December ‘‘Christmas STEM day.’'