Story and photos by Lisa Carolin
Sunshine and temperatures in the 50s made Friday’s Bulldog Jog a good excuse for students to get outside.
“You can run around and listen to lots of music,” said South Meadows fifth-grader Katelyn Hackett.
“You actually get to exercise,” said Gabrielle Bowles, also a fifth-grader.
Chelsea school students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade participated in the Bulldog Jog, a fundraiser for the PTO, which uses the money to help fund school-related items like playground equipment, supplies, books and field trips.
Kindergartners kicked off the jog at 8:40 a.m. at North Creek Elementary School’s playground followed by first graders at 9:30 a.m. and second graders at 10:10 a.m.
“Students and staff love it,” said Marcus Kaemming, principal of North Creek. “It supports the students’ need to move, and to support each other and be healthy as a whole. It also supports the PTO fundraising efforts. The PTO supports the entire building.”
Kaemming spent part of the afternoon at South Meadows Elementary School as the announcer for the Bulldog Jog. He encouraged students to warm up with jumping jacks and stretches.
South Meadows Principal Stacie Battaglia was pleased with the weather and said the Bulldog Jog is both a great way to get students exercising and enjoying themselves, and a great way for the PTO to fund its programs.
“We offer families the opportunity to pledge money to each child for running or walking the entire time with their grade level,” said Battaglia. “We even offer the opportunity to pledge funds online here.”
Family members were invited to attend and cheer their kids on.
“Students love getting outside, love the music we play, and love to see the Chelsea Bulldog (Paws) out there participating with them,” said Battaglia.
Third-graders at South Meadows did the jog at 12:25 p.m., fourth-graders at 1:15 p.m., and fifth-graders at 2:05 p.m.
“As a parent posted on our website,” said Kaemming, “It was her child’s favorite event of the year.”
