Girls On The Run Program Launched At Port Washington School

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — The Girls on the Run (GOTR) program was launched at Daly Elementary School this spring, the Port Washington School District announced.

The program, aimed at boosting self-esteem and fostering social emotional learning through fun exercise activities, strived to positively impact the lives of 18 girls in grades 3 through 5.

Liz Weiss, Jessica Castaneda and Elise Kreiss, three volunteer coaches, launched Girls on the Run at Daly Elementary School in March. Over 10 weeks, the program took place twice a week after school, where the girls engaged in activities centered around essential topics such as gratitude,
empathy, positive self-talk, friendship, finding balance, and compromise.

The program culminated with a 5K fun run at Eisenhower Park this past Saturday, despite the constant precipitation.

"The pouring rain failed to dampen the spirits of the dedicated coaches and the girls, who showcased unwavering determination and resilience," the school district wrote.

Daly Principal Lucia Laguarda was there to support the girls, along with several Daly teachers and staff, which added an extra layer of encouragement as they cheered on and even ran alongside the Girls on the Run participants through the raindrops.

Daly Elementary School plans to continue the Girls on the Run program in spring 2024 and
hopes to inspire other elementary schools in Port Washington to launch their own programs in the upcoming year.

"The impact of this transformative program cannot be overstated," the district wrote. "The participating girls not only discovered their physical strength but also learned valuable lessons on self-love, empathy, effective communication, mindfulness, and more."