Lakeville Elementary students were in awe of a new climbing rock wall as they entered the gym for a school assembly on Nov. 12 celebrating their fund-raising efforts during school’s ‘Fun Run? in September.
According to Physical Education Teacher Brian Luba all the students ran a total of 6,008 laps, which is equal to 600 miles and raised $6,600, which was enough to purchase the new 10 foot high rock wall.
‘One of things I really enjoy about our Parents School Council (PSC) is they are really focused on doing things for our kids and so one of things they’ve done in the past couple years is give the kids a goal for every Fun Run, said Lakeville Principal Kristy Marshall ‘The last Fun Run it was playground equipment and they used all the money they earned for playground equipment and this year it was the rock wall, which is an amazing rock wall. It’s huge.?
Also at the assembly various prizes were handed out to the top students who got the most money in pledges, but every student did get a prize for reaching an individual goal of $50.
‘I know they have the incentives for the kids, but what I like the most is our PSC do a great job of showing the kids ‘this is what you did for our school,?? Marshall said. ‘I think there is a little bit more willingness to take care of it and make sure it’s something we use for a lifetime because they have pride.?
The students got to climb the rock wall for the first time last Monday and it was the talk of the school, she noted.
‘For me as a former physical educator it’s a really wonderful piece of equipment that will really do that upper body strength, those little muscles that are in your hands and your forearms that we don’t often work because we don’t often have opportunities too,? she said. ‘They’re going to be working a lot of muscles that they wouldn’t be working typically in a large motor activity.?
Marshall also said the rock wall also gives Luba another fun way to teach kids the importance of being physically active and that kids are excited to go to his class because he is a riot.
‘Mr. Luba is an incredible physical educator and one of the best. He really gets physical education and understands the value of children being physical and utilizing those skills later in life,? she said. ‘He’s just crafty about getting kids to move and be physically active and he’s passionate about it. He’s not somebody who preaches it and sits back on a chair and watches the kids do it. He is involved and interactive with them.?