NEW YORK ROAD RUNNERS YOUTH PROGRAMS
VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 8 | MARCH 2012
QUOTABLES: “My Mighty Milers are starting to realize how important it is to be kind to
others…I am noticing leaders emerging and taking the lead to be examples to everyone.”
Sebastian Campagnale, P.S. 20, New York, NY
Fun and Games
Outside in Oakwood
Time flies when you’re a Mighty Miler! The students at P.S. 20
in New York, NY remain big fans after the program began last
year. Site Coordinator Sebastian Campagnale makes sure
Mighty Milers session are always full of surprises, whether he’s
introducing a new obstacle course or organizing a relay race.
During the school year, students can participate in time trials,
compete against another class in relay races, or enjoy Field Day.
Later, students use their time trial results to practice decimals,
fractions, and general math skills.
Last year’s Field Day was a first at P.S. 20. While the school’s older
students participate in Mighty Milers, every grade had fun at Field
Day. “I wanted to have the younger students see what is in store
for them as they reach our Mighty Milers age,” he said.
Campagnale promotes community and teambuilding by
stressing individual rather than competitive goals. “The
students are not allowed to pass each other, but are encouraged
to help one another do the best they can,” he says.
Mighty Milers pride at P.S. 20!
Running Easy at Oakwood
Students at Oakwood Elementary in Lakewood, WA are always
Mighty Milers, even when they’re in the classroom. When
students have to take standardized tests, their teachers take
them outside to stretch and run laps. “[We] give their brains
times to breath and prepare for their upcoming tests,” says Site
Coordinator Christina Villena. Teachers take time to run, too.
They’re pursuing a staff mileage goal this year and are well on
their way to reaching it!
Villena engages her Mighty Milers by asking them for ideas
and games. Students often come up with new tag games or
races while they run and walk, sometimes incorporating
trivia questions into Mighty Milers sessions. Other students
compete with one another to see who can run more laps during
recess. “We are allowing them to decide what would be fun and
exciting,” she says.
Sharing Mighty Milers with Your School
Looking for some ways to motivate your students and fill people in on the Mighty Milers
program? Here are some ways Site Coordinators shine a spotlight on the Mighty Milers at their
schools. Do you have an idea to share with us? E-mail us at [email protected].
Sing their praises. Sarah DiCroce spotlights Mighty Milers who have earned a medal
during morning announcements at Holly Hills Elementary in Holly Hills, CO.
Spread the news.
Post Mighty Milers in Motion on school bulletin boards. You
can create a mini-newsletter for your school, too! Dennis Minnis includes mileage
goal updates and inspirational quotes in his newsletter for Mighty Milers at Maryville
Elementary in Louisville, KY.
Go up to the board. Use one or more bulletin boards throughout the school to let kids,
teachers, staff, and parents know about Mighty Milers. For extra motivation, Emily Huntington
posts pictures and updates about her students at Glickman Elementary in Springfield, MA.
Check out this marathon wall at
Hillcrest Elementary in Nederland, TX!
Sandwich Stack
What’s for lunch today?
Sandwiches are great for lunch because you can include so many different kinds of food in
them. A healthy sandwich can have fruit, vegetables, milk, beans, meat, nuts, and grains.
Check out the ingredients below. How many different sandwiches can you create?
•
•
•
Gearing up for the Snowflake Shuffle
at Glickman Elementary!
Fun Facts:
Women first competed in track and field at the Olympic level
in 1928. The women’s marathon was introduced in 1984.
Athlete Babe Zaharias excelled in track and field, golf,
and basketball. She won three Olympic medals (two
gold and one silver) for track and field at the 1932
Olympics in Los Angeles for javelin, 80-meter hurdles,
and pole vault.
Started in 1897, the Boston Marathon is the world’s
oldest annual marathon. In 1967, Kathrine Switzer was
the first woman to officially compete with a race bib.
She finished, even though a race official tried to pull her
off the course!
New York Road Runners Youth Programs
212.423.2227 | [email protected] | www.mightymilers.org