Harlem High School student LaToya Johnson shows off a letter of support that she is mailing to President Bush at the White House. JIM BLAYLOCK/STAFF

Dressed in groups of red, white and blue, the pupils fell into formation, spelling U-S-A. The program at Columbia Middle was one of many displays of patriotism by Columbia and Richmond County students in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington last week. Eight schools in the New York area have been displaced as a result of the terrorist attacks.

''This was so special,'' said Rebecca Perbetsky, an eighth-grader. ''I would do anything for my country.''

Today, as pupils fill the halls at Greenbrier Middle School, they will be wearing red, white and blue.

''We're keeping it somewhat low-key with a focus on how we can help the situation instead of dwelling on the damage,'' said Principal Jeff Carney.

In both Richmond and Columbia counties, the focus in the school is not only on patriotism but also on how the schools can help in the relief effort.

Most of the schools in Richmond County have joined Augusta Mayor Bob Young's Care and Prayer crusade to raise $1 million to help support victim's families.

Langford Middle School pupils are trying to raise $1,000 to donate to the mayor's effort. They're making ribbons, asking for $1 donations and buying T-shirts with an American flag and the logo United We Stand on them to show their support.

Kim Cuttingham, a junior at Harlem High School, writes a letter to President Bush during class on the day after the terrorist attacks. JIM BLAYLOCK/STAFF

''Everything we collect will go to the relief effort,'' said Langford Principal Veta New.

Most Columbia County middle and high schools are cooperating to collect money for disaster relief.

''Our goal is to raise $10,000 between all four high schools,'' said Judy Teasley, student council adviser and a social studies teacher, who is coordinating the fund-raising effort at Greenbrier High School. ''It sounds like a lot on the one hand, but if everybody brought two bucks, we would have it.

''We also want to get the six middle schools working together and see if we can come up with $20,000.''

The fund raising began Monday at lunch and, without any notice, the pupils managed to fill a gallon jug up with bills.

''We have an ambitious goal, but I think we can do it,'' Ms. Teasley said. ''The students are responding to this in a very real way. They feel compelled to help.''

Greenbrier High School student council members last week ordered about 300 flags to be displayed on cars.

The guidance department also sponsored a banner-signing Monday. The banner, which says ''New York, you are in our thoughts. We love y'all!'', will be sent to a high school in Manhattan, said Greenbrier Principal Gloria Hamilton.

The faculty at Spirit Creek Middle School in Richmond County is developing walls of compassion to help pupils express their thoughts and feelings about the tragedies in New York and Washington.

''We are asking the kids to express their feelings with clippings, pictures and any other expressions,'' said Ronnie Harrison, principal at Spirit Creek Middle School.

A wall on each hallway in the school will be designated for pupils to share their thoughts with fellow classmates.

At Greenbrier Elementary School, second-graders presented a program Monday night with a patriotic theme.

''Everything was red, white and blue,'' said Principal Charles Henderson. ''This is really a great program, presenting the viewpoint of a child and their feelings about being an American.''

At Greenbrier Middle School, at Tuesday's pep rally, the high school ROTC presented the colors at the beginning and the band played the national anthem. Greenbrier's Future Business Leaders of America club collected donations for the Disaster Relief Fund on Wednesday through Friday. All donors got a red, white, and blue ribbon to wear. The staff is also planning a blood drive next month to help contribute once all the initial blood-giving settles down.

Pupils at Willis Foreman Elementary School are holding a penny drive to aid victims' families.

''We've placed jars in our office, lobby, and library,'' said Sharon Lee-Thomas, president of the school's Parent Teacher Organization. ''We have asked our students and parents to donate pennies to aid victims, with all proceeds going to the relief fund.''

Ms. Lee-Thomas also said some of the classes are compiling memory books about the event. The books will be sent to volunteers and victims in New York and Washington. Some other classes are doing a scroll with messages from pupils.

Nan Melcher's second-grade pupils at Stevens Creek Elementary also have been showing their spirit by wearing red, white and blue.

''Each took a few minutes to reflect on the tragedy; then I asked each student to join me in writing a thought onto a red or white cutout star,'' Mrs. Melcher said.

The stars, which are displayed in the hallway outside the classroom, include such thoughts as: ''I love my country,'' ''I hope the firemen can rescue lots of people,'' ''God bless the people on the hijacked planes'' and ''I hope the people get better and better every day.''

Some fourth- and fifth-grade classes at Bel Air Elementary School made unity links with messages to the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy or statements about why they are proud to be an American. The chain is on display at the Kroger on Columbia Road in Martinez.

''This chain shows that our nation will be united and not broken,'' said Janice Rehder, of Bel Air Elementary.

At Grovetown Elementary School, pupils in Lynn Henry's pre-kindergarten class made a large banner and an American flag out of their handprints. Ms. Henry's son is a New York City firefighter.

Michele Sherman, the assistant principal at Martinez Elementary School, said some of their classes have made cards for volunteers or victims and coloring flags to decorate hallways.

The school's second grade has also paid tribute to the United States through a morning news show. In addition, Martinez Elementary will hold a blood drive in early October for the burn victims of the attack.

At Riverside Middle School, the Images club is collecting money for the United Way for victims and families of the tragedies. Sixth-grade pupils made red, white, and blue friendship bracelets for all the pupils at the school.

''This is our way of showing unity and love for one another during this sad time,'' said Principal Sandra Caraway. ''We also have students meeting at the front of our building around a flag to pray for our country and our people.''

Reach Ashlee Griggs or Melissa Hall at (706) 868-1222.