Oct. 19 was an exciting day at Clearview Elementary as the PTA held their fourth annual Walk-a-Thon. Along with being the PTA’s major fundraiser of the year, the purpose of the Walk-a-Thon is to promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity and food choices.
Oct. 19 was also Unity Day. Students kicked everything off by singing songs and joining together to make pledges against bullying, and a group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders performed a rap they had written.
October is Anti-Bullying month, and students and staff were encouraged to wear orange to show their support.
Throughout the day each grade, from preschool through sixth, took a turn participating in the Walk-a-Thon. Students began by walking laps around the baseball fields, and then rotated through four stations led by Phy Ed teacher George Bienusa. Parents were encouraged to attend and walk with their kids.
Each of the Walk-a-Thon stations encouraged healthy lifestyles, which included hula-hoops and jumping rope, disk golf, an inflatable house obstacle course and healthy snacks.
Throughout the campaign, which kicked off October 7, daily prize drawing were held, fundraising results were announced, and the current total was displayed on a large thermometer posted in the cafeteria.
Students competed for a variety of donated prizes, and classrooms competed against each other for fun activities such as extra recess, wacky hair day for their teacher and pizza parties.
Students who raised the most money and who received the most pledges were able to choose among a variety of prizes including the opportunity to be “principal for a day.”
The goal of this year’s Walk-a-Thon was to raise $20,000. As of the morning of the event, PTA volunteer Kevin Quinn announced the goal had been surpassed, with donations still coming in.
All money raised from the Walk-a-Thon goes back to Clearview students for educational purposes such as field trips, educational software, PAKRAT books and other enrichment opportunities used to supplement the curriculum.
