Jefferson Students Run Race for Education

Some ran. Some jogged. Some walked. Students at Emmaus’ Jefferson Elementary School cheered and encouraged each other as they circled the quarter-mile track at the Emmaus High School Stadium May 13.

They walked about four blocks from the school to the stadium for the 2^nd Annual Race for Education Fundraiser. First- and third-graders were the first to arrive at 9:30 a.m. About an hour later, the fourth- and fifth-graders came to the track.  Following lunch, the Kindergartners and second-graders had their turn.”

Each group was on the track for an hour, trying to complete as many laps as they could. Some of the fourth- and fifth-graders did as many as 28 laps, or seven miles!

“This is a fabulous fundraiser,” school Principal Cheryl Scalzo said. “It is our largest fundraiser of the year, and also promotes exercise.”

When the students arrived at the stadium, physical education teacher Justen Reiss led them in some warm-up exercises before sending them onto the track.

Plenty of parents, grandparents, and other volunteers were on hand to help where needed and to cheer on the children. Following each lap, the children were encouraged to drink some water and rest a little before continuing on.

Scalczo was beaming with pride as “her children” finished lap after lap on the track. “This [the track] is so much better than walking [around the playground] at the school,” she said. “The children have more room to move around.”

Even “Jeffy,” the school mascot, was on hand to support the students. He would give them a “high-five” as they finished a lap.

Karen Brynildsen, LPN, float nurse for East Penn School District for 40 years, was on hand to assist the injured. She could be seen putting ice packs on sprains, checking the pulse of those who were over-heated, and tending to cuts and scrapes.

Prior to the event, students obtained sponsors – some donating a flat amount and others donating an amount for each completed lap.

Proceeds will benefit the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), which pays for field trips, items on teachers’ wish lists and supplies needed at the school.  They are hoping to match, or exceed, last year’s amount of $5,500.