Royalview Elementary hosts annual fun run

Royalview Elementary School students brought energy and enthusiasm to the Roadrunner Dash Fun Run.

of Royalview Elementary School students brought energy and enthusiasm to the second annual Roadrunner Dash Fun Run on Sept. 22.

They completed about 30 to 35 laps in a half hour on the school grounds in Willowick to raise money for playground equipment improvements, including an equipment area for students with special needs.

PTA President Laura Kramer, who helped organize the event, said she wanted to do something different besides the typical fundraisers.

“I’m very proud of them,” she said. “It’s very rewarding.”

A goal of $15,000 initially was set. After quickly reaching that goal, the goal increased to $20,000.

“As of today, we met 96 percent of the $20,000,” Kramer said. “We added a bonus weekend, so we may have to increase the goal again.”

The students receive donations through pledges. Some families pledged a $1 per lap or 25 cents per lap with a max of 35 laps, while others gave a flat donation, she said.

In addition to raising money for a good cause, the fun dash was a characterbuild run that aligned well with the schools’ Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports initiatives.

Royalview uses the acronym ROCKS, which stands for being Respectful, taking Ownership, showing Cooperation, Kindness, and Selfcontrol.

“Boosterthon is the company that runs this program,”Kramer said. “It is a nine-day character building fun run. The theme this year is the castle-quest theme and they learned nine characteristics of being brave. They watched videos in class and discussed these characteristics.”

According to Boosterthon, they strengthen students’ character with innovative character lessons that stick, in partnership with Character Counts.

The students recently had a pep rally to introduce the program. They were given many other prize incentives for participation.

“We’re promoting character, collaboration, team building, fitness and of course fun,” said Royalview Principal Kim Cantwell.

TAWANA ROBERTS — THE NEWS-HERALD Royalview Elementary School students run laps for the Roadrunner Dash Fun Run on Sept. 22 to raise money for playground improvements, including an equipment area for students with special needs.