Ocean City Primary School Students Get Moving to Raise Funds

By Maddy Vitale Ocean City Primary School students went the distance – literally – Thursday in the district’s first Fun Run Fundraiser, raising an estimated $9,000 for matching grants and class trips. From pre-kindergarten to third grade, the students raced around the field while music played in the background and Principal Kathy Smith, PTA members and others kept the kids excited about the event. The object for the children was to run or walk as many laps as they had sponsors for. The back of their T-shirts showed a circle with lap numbers. Some were checked off up to the entire 35-lap event while others were somewhere in the middle. Bella Sullivan, 4, holds up a sign in support of participants in the Fun Run. Either way, there were a lot of children running and walking. Parents and friends watched on the sidelines and cheered in support. Bella Sullivan, 4, held up a sign in support of her friends and cousin who were participating in the run. Kaiden Janto, 7, who is in the second grade, summed up what the fundraiser meant to him. “It’s fun,” he shouted. Theresa Straub, of Ocean City, watched as her sons, Connor, 7, a first-grader and second-grader Christopher, 8, jetted around the field. Theresa Straub, of Ocean City, watches as her two sons zip around the field. “My kids were both really excited and energized leading up to the event,” Straub said. “It is really nice to see it is not materialistic or about selling candy bars. It is getting the kids out on a beautiful day.” Parent Teacher Association President Jocelyn Palaganas said the district hired a company called Boosterthon to come to the school to teach about character education and get the students pumped up for the fundraiser with a pep rally. Classes gathered as teams. Events were held throughout the week and showcased the children's team spirit as they participated in games all in preparation for Thursday’s finale. Palaganas said other districts have these Fun Run Fundraisers. “The PTA is always looking for new ways to fundraise,” she said. “No one does pizza or popcorn anymore.” Pre-kindergarten students hold hands as they walk a lap. Another Fun Run Fundraiser will be held Friday at the Ocean City Intermediate School. It will be held indoors due to a rainy forecast, school officials said. PTA member Erica Schaffer said of the Fun Run: “I saw it at other schools and fell in love with the idea of making money for schools, character education and a pep rally. This is just a great event for the schools.” Palaganas said the hope is to raise a total of $13,000 between both schools. Students march to the field. It's a friendly competition. Second-grader Kaiden Janto, 7, stops to say hi to his mother Kerri Janto. Some kids stopped for water breaks.