Claflin Elementary School, Ellinwood Grade School and Roosevelt and Lincoln Elementary Schools in Hoisington are once again collecting General Mills Box Tops for Education and are encouraging collection from area residents.

The schools receive 10 cents for each box top. General Mills cereals, Betty Crocker snacks, Yoplait yogurt multi-packs, and GM food products bearing the official General Mills for Education logo are collected.

Claflin Elementary School

Claflin Elementary School collected $659 last year and used the money for school field trips. The school also earns a little money at the box top for education on-line Marketplace shop.

"You have to start at the Box Tops website," said Tracey McKenna, secretary at CES. Stores such as Target donate a small percentage to the school from items purchased.

The school has been collecting the tops since 2001. Box tops can be dropped off at CES or at Bailey’s Food Bin.

McKenna reminds people that the tops do have expiration dates. She gets the classes involved sometimes by having them help count.

The school also is collecting used ink cartridges and used cell phones. In addition, the school is collecting candy wrappers, cookie packaging, drink pouches, glue sticks and glue bottles through Terracycle, which recycles the products. The school will receive 2 cents for each one of the qualifying items.

Ellinwood Elementary School

EGS has collected box tops since 2002. Last year, the school collected 12,000 box tops and received $1,200 to use for field trips and classroom supplies for teachers.

EGS secretary Mary Frakes has developed a collection sheet with places for 10 box tops, and the box tops are taped or glued on the sheet. "It’s not a lot of work with the collection sheets," she said.

The box tops are submitted to General Mills.

Last year, EGS held several parties for the classes that collected the most box tops.

Frakes thinks the kids enjoy the competition and the teachers, too. "We have very competitive teachers," said Frakes.

There is a box top receptacle at Ellinwood Family Foods and at various churches. They can also be dropped off at EGS.

Hoisington Elementary Schools

Roosevelt Elementary School and Lincoln Elementary School are also collecting box tops, and the tops can be dropped off at the schools or at the counter at Town and Country Supermarket. Those that are dropped off at the supermarket are divided between the two schools. Students also can bring them to school and put them in a classroom container and write their name on the back of them to be eligible for prizes. Drawings are announced during the year in advance.

"Last year’s favorite feature was a K-State vs. KU Challenge, and students could decide which box got the most entries," said Principal Alan Charles. "Box tops are a fun way to raise money for our school. It is easy to do and the box tops are on items many people buy already.

"We have used the money to buy software, computer items, helped with playground equipment, helped fund some field trips, paid for Body Venture and some classroom treats," said Charles. Last year, the schools raised $1,617.