The goal of Tabernacle Elementary School is to teach the whole child, according to Principal Gerald Paterson. That means not only academics, but the arts and physical education and health.
The school has started its second year of Mighty Milers, a running program designed to focus on the physical and mental health of a child. At the end of the program last May, the total number of miles ran by all students in grades first through fourth was 6,778, about 24 miles per student.
“We want to touch on all needs of the child and make sure students have an understanding of wellness,” Paterson said. “Bringing attention not just to running, but to eating right, taking care of your body and exercising.”
Physical education teacher Beth Manning heard of the running program at the Society of Health and Physical Educators America National Convention in 2015 in Seattle, Wash. Mighty Milers, part of the New York Road Runners, is a free running program for kids of all fitness levels from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It is designed to get kids moving and prevent obesity and illness. Participation in Mighty Milers helps kids build their self-esteem and learn to make and reach personal goals. Over the course of a program cycle, goals are set to reach certain distances, and students earn rewards for reaching milestones along the way.
Tabernacle Elementary School has always spotlighted jogging in the physical education program, with students earning “foot charms” each month if they were able to jog for a certain length of time. In September, students in grades first through fourth start by trying to jog three minutes without stopping. In the past, if they were successful, they earned a foot charm. Each month, the time increased by one minute, so by June they were up to 12 minutes. The Tabernacle PTA purchased the foot charms to promote fitness and endurance.
With the Mighty Milers, students still run for a certain time each month, but now a popsicle stick is collected for each lap run, and total sticks are collected and recorded by Manning to record miles run. During the warmer months, students can run at recess with the T2 Running Club to earn more miles toward Mighty Milers.
“I thought (the Mighty Milers) would be great for Tabernacle. We had done the T2 Running Club for a long time. I just like the idea of a national program with national backing,” Manning said.
According to Manning, any student can do this program. They don’t have to run or jog; they can walk, too. The point is to get children into exercising and to do the best each student can. The teachers and administration sometimes get involved as well.
“This is something to strive for, regardless of ability. The best they can do is what is encouraged. It is always about cheering the kids on to do their best and better than last time,” Director of Curriculum and Instruction Christine Skinner said.
“I (and the teachers) will run with them during recess to get them really excited and moving,” Paterson said. “Manning does such a fantastic job encouraging the children to participate in this.”
At the end of the month, Manning adds each student’s laps and enters it into the Mighty Milers site. In two to three months, a package arrives with Mighty Miler membership cards, “color your own” racing bibs, stickers, wrist strap key chains, t-shirts and medals for running the equivalent of a marathon, 26.2 miles, as rewards for students who achieve certain goals. It takes a few months for the students to achieve the prize levels, and the first graders have easier/shorter goals to meet to encourage the younger runners. Last year, the school also earned physical education equipment gift certificates and a Barnes and Noble gift card through the site rewards program.
“I was pleasantly surprised (we reached an average of 24 miles last year). I would like everyone to get up to the 26.2 miles distance this year. I think it is a goal we can meet and even exceed,” Manning said.
Manning hopes students who participate in the program can take away a love of exercising and making healthier decisions.
“Running is something they can do their whole life … It is about improving themselves. Fitness and being active is something they have to do, and I’d like them to find something they like to do. Maybe it is running; it can be fun and is good for you,” Manning said.
Any one interested in the program can go to mightymilers.org or contact Manning at Tabernacle Elementary School for more information.
