Schools

Mt. Kisco Elementary's 5k Raises Funds for Garden

The fundraiser run helps to support the school's community garden.

Sunshine and clear skies greeted more than 100 kids, teachers and parents on Sunday, with second annual 5k run.

The race, which was held at track and included a run around the campus, has become a major community event since it started last year. The role of the event is to act as a fundraiser for maintenance of the school's garden, and serves as a part of the kids' curriculum. This year about $2,000 was raised, said school physical education teacher John DelFavero.

"The whole idea is we wanted to be able to sustain our garden ourselves," said Principal Sue Ostrofsky.

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Turnout was up, said John DelFavero. This included about 100 runners, mostly parents and staff but including some third to fifth grade students, and with Fox Lane student athletes playing games with their younger counterparts while the race was under way.

"They did a really good job," said DelFavero of the older students' support.

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The school sent out training guides for the race back in January, DelFavero said, with a recommended 8-week training period. Gym teachers, including DelFavero, held after-school training sessions with kids.

Finishing in first overall MKES third grade teacher Jason Wein, who said he came in at 19 minutes and five seconds. "It's good," he said of the event.

The first student to finish was fourth grader Jaak Chasse, at 27 minutes and 30 seconds.

Allison Rothfleisch, a school parent, chose to the run the 5k in barefoot form, with special footwear that aligns to the feet rather than changing their contact with the pavement like shoes do. Read more about the trend .

"You go faster, actually," Rothfleisch said of her experience.

The main race was followed by mini runs on the athletic field or the surrounding track, with each grade - it included pre-K to fifth - getting its own race. Younger children ran shorter races on the field while bigger kids ran on the track.

Editor's Note: The original story listed Wein as a gym teacher when his role is to teach third grade. It has been updated.


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