Handmade motivational signs dotted the field at Rancho Santa Gertrudes Elementary School and cheers from parents echoed across the campus as more than 400 students enthusiastically completed laps to raise money during the school’s second annual Jog-A-Thon fundraiser on April 28.
Even with the heat of the afternoon sun, the student runners managed to raise $2,500 to fund school field trips and the purchase of academic award incentives. The event also supported the District’s Healthy Los Nietos program, which promotes healthy lifestyles to combat childhood obesity rates.
Students ran in small groups for 20-minute intervals from noon to 2:30 p.m. and were treated to watermelon slices after they completed their jogs.
Principal Octavio Perez acted as emcee for the event and also showed a variety of different stretches students could use to loosen up before the jog.
“Our students were so eager to show how much they could run and they had a great time at the event,” Perez said. “We want to promote healthly minds and healthy bodies and the Jog-A-Thon accomplished those goals and provided us with additional financial support to promote academic achievement.”
The Jog-A-Thon unfolded as the District was observing Every Kid Healthy Week, from April 24 through April 28, which celebrates school health and wellness. Perez said participation in this year’s Jog-A-Thon was so strong that it’s prompting Rancho Santa Gertrudes teachers to start planning for next year’s event with higher fundraising goals and ideas for additional student activities.
“The Jog-A-Thon was a major success not only in fundraising for Rancho Santa Gertrudes, but also for promoting healthy lifestyles for our young students,” LNSD Superintendent Jonathan Vasquez said. “We’re immensely proud of our teachers, parents and students for doing such an amazing job and I look forward to seeing an even better turnout next year.”