Bristow Run Elementary in Bristow will hold its inaugural Panther Pride 5K Run/Walk April 6* at 8 a.m.to raise money for its global curriculum initiative.
This year, Bristow Run was one of four Prince William elementary schools chosen to pilot a global based curriculum through Global Schools Network. As such, the school will be implementing a global-based curriculum that coincides with national education standards.
To implement the new curriculum, teachers are encouraged to incorporate multi-cultural and world education into their lessons and assignments across the curriculum. If the Global Schools Initiative proves a success at Bristow Run and other pilot schools, it will be implemented in schools across the county.
Therefore, to help the Global initiative curriculum realize its full potential, the Bristow Run administration decided all proceeds from the Panther Pride 5K will go towards funding global literature and materials for students, as well as the creation of a Global Garden.
Assistant Principal Scott Baldwin admits everyone is excited about repurposing the garden behind the school.
“We’re revitalizing the garden out back and renaming it the Global Garden. In fall, it was flattened. Vulcan Quarry donated time, effort and materials,” Baldwin said.
Eventually, it will become a curricular garden in which every grade will have a section. In their sections, teachers can direct their students to grow fruits and vegetables. There, they can teach DIY agriculture and horticulture, as well as introduce students to multicultural foods and traditions.
Baldwin brings previous experience to organizing a 5K. He and his wife Audrey previously organized a literacy 5K at Manassas Park Elementary for several consecutive years, and Audrey continues to manage it with the help of her school administration.
When Baldwin’s new colleagues found out about the Manassas Park Cougar 5K and fun run, they wanted to organize one of their own. Fortunately, it coincided nicely with the Global Schools Network Foundation initiative.
However, the 5K is also a means to reaching another of the school’s objectives: keeping their students healthy and fit.
“Beyond the purpose of raising money for our global initiative, another by-product is the increased awareness of health and wellness,” Baldwin said.
While Bristow Run students are, as a whole, very active, there is always more to be done. The 5K run encourages healthy living because it provides an opportunity for families to become active along with their children. It is also accessible to anyone, including those outside the school community, but Baldwin is mindful to keep it family-friendly for all his elementary school families. People can run or walk at their own pace and can even run with strollers.
Along with the run, the event provides an opportunity for families and individuals to learn about health and wellness. Baldwin is seeking additional sponsors for the event whose values mirror their own in terms of health and fitness. Those ideal sponsors may include health food stores; gyms; doctors offices; and dance, martial arts, and gymnastic studios.
The sponsors will have the opportunity to talk with the runners, hand out promotional material and even hold wellness clinics on anything from demonstrating Zumba moves to making simple healthy snacks. Besides setting up a booths, sponsors will be recognized on the Panther Pride 5K t-shirt that runners receive when they sign up for the run.
Baldwin explained that sponsorships are essential to raising money for the school’s global initiative, while allowing the run to remain affordable for families. The run costs $20 per person before Feb. 18, and $25 after that date. Families with five or more runners can also secure a discount rate when purchased together.
Baldwin hopes that runners consider the 5K more than a one-time event, but one that inspires an active lifestyle. That is why the school offer training tips on its Panther Pride Run Website.
He also hopes to work with other local elementary schools in the future to extend the reach of the Bristow Run community and make this a run for all western Prince William County. Perhaps in the future the run will include a half marathon and one-mile fun run in addition to the 5K.
Readers who are interested in signing up for the race, gaining more information or becoming a sponsor should visit pantherpride5K.org for more information. Those interested in becoming a sponsor of the Panther Pride 5K can also contact marketing volunteer Amy Hodges at amy_hodges@comcast.net.
*NOTE: The race was originally scheduled for April 13, but has been moved up to April 6. Please note the change.
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!