Raised funds will go toward enrichment programs. The school’s youngest runners also hoped to raise enough to bring back a dedicated physical education teacher.
“It’s the best way to raise money,” said Suzanne Schoen, school secretary of the parent-faculty organization. “These kids are having a ball. They really want to have a PE teacher again.”
Due to budget cuts, first- and second-grade classroom teachers at Harbor View now teach physical education to their students.
Kindergartners and students in upper grades still work with a physical education specialist.
Following 10-minute warm-ups, students from each grade level — with their own sea creature mascot sign — spent 20 minutes sprinting their hearts out on one of three one-meter tracks.
The sea creatures were painted by parent and local artist Andrea Loth.
School officials were worried that their first jog-a-thon could turn into an indoor dance-a-thon, as storm clouds gathered and the first drops began to fall.
“We managed to make it through,” Metoyer said. “The rain did not dampen our spirits. It was successful and fabulous.”
She said she tried to hint to the children that they should go inside, but the kids begged her to let them continue the fundraiser, so the event went on — with a few dry towels at the ready.
Organizers are still totaling the proceeds, but one sixth-grader is believed to have run more than 50 laps; first-grader Cole Mackinnon, 6, tallied 38.
“He never stopped,” school parent Gary Simpson said. “He didn’t even want to take a break.”
