Students at Jury Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District beat a fundraising goal set in September for a Thanksgiving service project, and in just a few days, fourth grade teacher Dan Ryno will say good-bye to his hair, allowing one lucky student to shave his head and broadcast the haircut with a video into the classrooms throughout the building.
The opportunity to shave Ryno’s head is the foundation of a plan to raise money to buy Thanksgiving meals for two families at Jury, a service project supported by Student Council, which Ryno co-sponsors. Since September, students have been buying tickets for 25 cents for the chance to cut off his hair. The original goal was set at $150. In mid-October, tickets sales reached $173. Then the goal was raised to $200. On Monday, November 2, the school met its exact goal.
“I was looking for something to get the kids motivated for a fall fundraiser, and I wanted to take it to another level,” said Ryno.
Selling the tickets for a quarter is part of the strategy. “It’s easier to come up with a quarter. Any kid has a shot at being a part of this,” he said.
The purchased tickets have student names and room numbers on the back. Teachers can buy tickets, but cannot cut Ryno’s hair. He said that some teachers are buying tickets and giving them as rewards to the students.
“Our school counselor will help choose the families,” said Ryno. “We want to buy complete meals – mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, turkey…”
“The kids understand that it’s not only for fun, but for a good cause,” he said. Each week, students are updated on how much money has been raised.
Lemola Mason, a fourth grader, has already bought 50 tickets. Classmate Anthony Simpson has bought 33.
“I want to cut his hair. It’d be so funny,” said Simpson.
“I thought it’d be cool to cut his hair,” echoed Mason.
When asked why it’s important to help families, both boys said it makes them feel good to be able to help buy food for Thanksgiving.
“They’re my classmates and my friends and I’ll be happy to help my friends,” said Mason.
Ticket sales end on November 11 and a winner will be drawn on November 12. Ryno will lose his hair on November 13 at 3:25 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Jury Elementary School.