Dos Caminos Elementary turns box tops into $800

It all counts.

That's the message RaeAnne Michael, principal of Dos Caminos Elementary School in Camarillo, wants to get out to parents who've helped the school earn $800 since September in General Mills' Box Top For Education program.

"I want parents to know it does add up," Michael said.

General Mills has sponsored the program since 1996.

Michael said the school has participated in the program for at least three years- the time she's been principal.

Students bring in designated labels from hundreds of grocery items, including food and paper products. The labels are worth 10 cents apiece; bonus box tops are worth more. The school's Parent Teacher Association mails in a collection of the tops every month, and General Mills mails back a check.

The PTA has used the money to help pay for a parttime physical education teacher and to fund field trips to such places as the science center in Los Angeles, the Chumash Interpretive Center in Newbury Park and the pumpkin patch in Moorpark.

The money has also helped pay for six art and music programs this year.

"So the money all goes back to the kids," Michael said.

PTA President Tami Velasquez said family participation in the ongoing box top program has been steady over the years, but to keep the momentum going the PTA gives out monthly prizes to classes that collect the most box tops. At the end of the year the top classroom gets a pizza party.

"We hope that this program does continue," Velasquez said. "It's been successful so far."

Schools have earned more than $200 million in the 11-year old Box Tops for Education program, according to General Mills.

- Michelle Knight