First Mini Marathon Meeting

First of all, I want to explain what we mean when we say that the Mini Marathon is the only PTA fundraiser for the year. PTA gets the money made off of the Mini Marathon. That is the money we use to run all of our programs throughout the entire school year. Some of the programs the PTA provides and funds are the Reflections program, Character Counts, Teacher Appreciation, Sunshine Days for the teachers, Staff Birthdays, SEP Dinners, 6th Grade Party, Skate Nights, Dads and Donuts, Moms and Muffins, Red Ribbon Week, Anti-Bullying assembly, Bare Books, and more. These are all wonderful programs that we feel benefit our children and that is why we offer them. This year, we had some funds left over and donated $300 to each grade level to help pay for extra things like field trips that they would like to do this year. I am hoping we can raise enough this year to help the school get any technology that they are still in need of, such as a few more Smart Boards. The school fundraiser, which is the Arts Festival in the Spring, raises money that goes to Manila Elementary. That money is used in different ways throughout the school as directed by Dr. Sorensen.

With that hopefully clarified, our Mini Marathon Meeting today went very well. Thank you to those who were able to come! The date of the Mini Marathon will be Friday, September 28th. We will be starting the race at 5:30 this year to hopefully make it a little easier on the working parents.

We will be having an "Expo" from 4:00-6:30 that vendors can come to and advertise or sell products. We will also be having some food vendors there, so that families can have the opportunity to eat after the race if they would like. If you or anyone you know of would like to rent a space at the Expo, please contact Heidi at manilapta1213@gmail.com. The cost for a space will be $25.

We are wanting to dedicate this year's race to someone who has been a great influence on our school or community. We are going to name the race in their honor and then also honor them at the opening ceremony of the race. If you have someone you would like to acknowledge for this, please send their name and the reason you think they should be honored to manilapta1213@gmail.com.

Also, we are going to look for some Boy Scout Groups to help us have an Opening Ceremony and also volunteer at places around the route. If you know of any Boy Scout Troops that would like some service opportunities, have them contact Heidi Panter at manilapta1213@gmail.com.

The route last year seemed to work very well, so we will be following the same route this year. We will have online registration and paper registration, with incentive drawings for those that register online.

The T-shirt contest will be held again, so have your creative little artists start coming up with a design for the shirts!

We will be getting more information out, and registration will be open soon. We hope this will be a successful fundraiser for the PTA!!! Thank you for your support!