Whitman Post, Rockton Grade students meet fun run goals; teachers and staff become human sundaes

SUBMITTED PHOTO The Herald
WPES Assistant Principal Mr. Bonne is doused with ice cream and special fixings.

By Marianne Mueller
REPORTER
Every year students at Whitman Post Elementary and Rockton Grade School take part in a “Fun Run,” which is set to raise money for the PTO. This opens doors for teachers to apply for grants to purchase flexible seating, new novels or other items or experiences needed to supplement curriculum. Incentives are put in place prompting success every year for students to meet and to surpass each Fun Run goal. This year students raised $9,000.
Every year brings with it a new type of challenge. This year Principals from WPES and Rockton Grade School plus a few teachers agreed to become human sundaes in exchange for the success of the students in meeting their Fun Run goal.
The idea of having Principals turning into human sundaes was based on a suggestion given by a student in a previous year. Teachers joined in the assembly for classes who were top earners. Students can either be sponsored by a flat donation or per lap completed.
On Oct. 4 brave Principals and teachers joined students as all gathered behind the schools backfield lawn of WPES; ready for a new experience. Good spirited participants included: WPES Principal Mrs. Forsythe, RGS Principal Mrs. Etnyre, WPES Assistant Principal Mr. Bonne, Ms. Lewis, Mrs. Tuula, RGS Assistant Principal Mrs. Hauser and Mr. Doyle who each allowed students to get creative and to have fun as a reward for meeting Fun Run goals.
“The students who were selected to pour toppings were top lap runners and the students who raised the most money for their grade, “WPES teacher Ms. Lewis said. “It was a very cold day filled with a sticky ending to the week. The students were having so much fun pouring every topping imaginable onto their teachers; luckily I had a shower cap and goggles to protect my eyes, “said Lewis. “They used everything from cherries, caramel, chocolate, sprinkles, pineapples; you name it, “The real challenge was cleaning up afterward. We had to use a hose and really scrub all of the toppings off. It was pretty difficult to rinse off, but at least the kids had fun!”
Mrs. Forsythe reflected on her experience. “I don’t plan on ever becoming a human sundae again. I would happily kiss another animal and sleep on the roof of the school before becoming that horribly sticky mess again,” Forsythe said. “Also getting cleaned off with the icy cold garden hose water to be ready for student dismissal was not something I would like to do again.”
Laughter and smiles were abundant on the grounds as students poured everything from multiple bottles of chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, and strawberry sauce, jars of cherries, pineapples, sprinkles, and ice cream on their Principals and willing teachers.
“When I look at the pictures from that day I can still hear the laughter of our students,” Mrs. Etnyre said. “Words do not express my gratitude for our families and community for supporting the Fun Run!”
Due to the joint efforts of students, staff, teachers and the community the quality of education in Rockton schools will continue to grow even stronger through bigger and better opportunities.