Naugy Kids Run Club Run Their Final Mile

Naugatuck, CT - On May 30, 2018, parents, siblings, teachers and friends headed to the track at Naugatuck High School to celebrate the final mile of the Naugy Kids Run Club. The brainchild of physical education teacher Jennifer Stone began the week after April vacation, when interested students in grades 3 and 4 began training at the district elementary schools. The club was similar to the Kidsmarathon program.

In good weather, students at Andrew Avenue ran around a track marked outside by Ms. Stone for 30 minutes before school began. The PE teacher invited faculty members to run or walk alongside the students as they trained to help motivate them and get a little exercise themselves. The first Wednesday we had to train in the gym due to the weather.

The Final Mile Celebration was celebrated at Naugatuck HS. Andrew Avenue was represented by all 15 students that had taken part in the club since April. All of the students wore a Naugy Kids Run t-shirt and each school had a different colored bandana. Some teachers and principals in Naugatuck attended to cheer on the runners. Brian Mariano, the Director of Athletics, Activities, K-12 PE, Health and Wellness in Naugatuck, arranged for the use of the high school track and told me that next year he hopes to be able to have the NHS marching band provide the music for the event.

Since adults did not join the student runners on their final mile, I was able to stand on the side of the track and snap some photos as I cheered them on. Although the temperature was very warm and there was still bright sun, the students did not let that stop them from completing their final mile.

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the Naugy Kids Run Club and the adults who worked with them. Thank you to Ms. Stone for facilitating this program in the district.

All photos by Nancy Sasso Janis