BRITNEY SPEARS - SPEARS' PRAISE FOR NEW YORK SCHOOL

LATEST: BRITNEY SPEARS has praised the children of a New York school - after visiting pupils to donate $10,000 (GBP5,410) to their music programme.
The Toxic hitmaker paid an impromptu visit to John Philip Sousa Junior High School in The Bronx on Wednesday (01Oct08) to hand over a cheque from Elizabeth Arden, the cosmetics company behind her perfume range.
Spears was treated to a special performance by the Sousatones, the school's eight-piece band.
And when the band's director, Sal Mazzola, joked that she should take the youngsters on her forthcoming world tour, the star agreed, insisting, "You'll be the first people I call."
Spears also paid tribute to the hard work put in by the pupils on the music programme, and praised Elizabeth Arden executives for making such a generous donation to the scheme.
She tells People.com, "I really enjoyed the time I spent at the John Philip Sousa Middle School.
"I've been working with the people at Elizabeth Arden for the last five years, and I know how passionate everyone is about the school.
"I loved hearing the school orchestra and the children sang so beautifully. The fact that Elizabeth Arden made such a large donation for the school music studio in my name was so generous."
Spears has launched five fragrances with Elizabeth Arden to date, including Curious, Fantasy, and her latest perfume, Believe.