Students at Weisenberg Elementary are making a difference.

At the challenge of their art teacher, Karly Sacco, and a third-grade teacher, Kim DeFazio, a display of a poster, empty water jugs in the school lobby, one per grade level, and an important purpose “to raise money for Hurricane Relief,” a Penny War began.

The goal is for each grade level to bring in the most pennies.

One penny is one point, Sacco explained, but a quarter would be minus 25, a dime, minus 10 and a nickel, minus 5 points.

Students may put their coins in any of the grade level jugs but the goal is to have the most points for their grade level at the end of the month.

The grade level that wins will earn extra time in the school’s Makerspace classroom.

Makerspace is a new space in the school where the students can work on activities that use STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math skills.

All of the coins raised will go to aid Hurricane Relief.

The students love the challenge.

Sacco said not only are the children excited about the possibility of earning more time in the Makerspace classroom, but they are excited about the amount of money they are raising.

From the height of the coins in the jugs, the students are in a neck-and-neck competition, but the pennies vs. silver keeps the kids excited.

Principal Jill Berlet is proud of all the students.

A total amount for each grade level will be given at the end of the month and a grand total for the school donation will also be tallied.

To make the Penny War as successful as possible, the school partnered with its PTO volunteers.

From the looks of the competition, the donation amount and the time to separate the coinage and tally the winner will be significant.

Everyone involved at Weisenberg from the students to the staff and parents seem to think that it is worth the time and are excited about the opportunity to make a positive impact for people they may never get to meet but are happy to make a difference.