Fundraising for JDRF and a Visit by Exotic Animals

JDRF Fundraiser: Students atraised about $5,500 in a recent walk-a-thon fundraiser to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In their third year of participation in the walk-a-thon as a school, about 325 students and staff pounded the pavement around the school grounds for an hour.

School nurse Lorrie Perkins and also the coordinator of the fundraiser said that “the kids had a ball.” Internal contests between classrooms as well as a hat day, when students were able to wear a hat to school and pay one dollar, were all incentives to raise funds. 

Prior to the actual walk, Perkins held a presentation by the JDRF. In addition, fifth grader Hailey Lowe spoke to students about the disease and how it affects her life.

“It made it real to the kids,” said Perkins. “It was powerful and eye opening to hear her speak.”

Encouraging an active lifestyle to prevent childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes is something that all the schools are making a priority. The walk-a-thon was not only an awareness and educational opportunity but also a means for students to participate in a fun fitness activity as a group.

Exotic Animals Visit:  hosted Animals and the Environment, an enrichment program sponsored by the school’s PTO. Jon Oliver, whose program is based out of Detroit, discussed the impact that humans have on animals in terms of habitat, hunting, and the pet industry.

Students had many questions throughout the presentation as terms such as threatened, endangered and extinct species were discussed.

The program was engaging especially when Oliver introduced his friends, Wally the baby alligator, Rocky the Boa, Missy the Patagonian Cavy, a chinchilla and tortoise. Information on the animals’ habitat, diet, ideal climate, and other interesting facts were discussed.

Oliver emphasized that the animals he has part of his program are all rescue animals or directly from a breeder.

The success of school fundraisers enable the PTO to offer enrichment programs throughout the year that reinforce the curriculum of the students.

Date Reminders: Tuesday, Nov. 15 will be a half day for all elementary schools in order to make up the teacher conference day lost to the snowstorm and power outages last week.

Nov. 23 is also a half day to kick off the Thanksgiving break.  There is no school on Nov. 24, 25, and 28.  Nov. 28 is a Teacher Professional Day.

This column highlights some of the schools’ many special programs, speakers, events, and community service projects.  If you are aware of a program that you would like featured in this column, please email Liz Nolan at lizard211@gmail.com.