Russell Elementary students find inspiration in running competition, virtual travel – "Run Russell, Run!"

Know how to get a bunch of fifth-graders to run 21 miles from Maryhill to Roosevelt, Wash., in a morning?

Tell them the fourth-graders may get there first.

In a virtual race across the nation, Russell Elementary School’s upperclassmen pulled about 10 miles ahead of their younger classmates without ever leaving Missoula. They keep close track of their positions on a big map on the Russell gym wall.

"We spent a lot of time in Oregon," said Russell fifth-grader Brielle Rolle after logging almost two miles Thursday morning. "When we got to Washington, we thought we were ahead of everyone, but then the fourth-graders got ahead of us. So now we’re all working harder."

By ROB CHANEY of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2005/09/30/news/local/news02.txt

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The 4th and 5th grade students at Russell Elementary School in Missoula, Montana, are on a journey of a lifetime.

They are virtually running and walking across the entire United States as part of their physical education curriculum during the 2005-2006 school year. The 3,200-mile route extends from Cannon Beach, Oregon to Lewes, Delaware and crosses 14 states. The Run/Walk Across America program is designed to promote physical activity as a way of life and to encourage the school’s students to be more conscious of their health and nutrition.

Vicki Staso, [email protected]: 406-728-2400, ext. 4815 their P.E. teacher says, "I’m very excited about this opportunity that the 4th and 5th graders will have to encourage one another across the United States! I want them to see that goals are reached one step at a time, whether you walk or run and that in working together, great things are achieved. Each student contributes to the overall goal! I’m also hopeful that in keeping the goal in mind, they will learn the value of fitness in their everyday life and make decisions for a lifetime of fitness."

During the 39 weeks of the school year the students are running and walking each week to see if either class (or both, but not combined) can accumulate enough running and/or walking miles in the P.E. program to virtually cross the entire country on a predetermined route. The 4th grade class consists of 54 students and the 5th grade class has 40 students. To successfully accomplish the trek, each 4th grader will need to run/walk an average of 1½ miles per week throughout the entire school year – from September 7, 2005 through June 9, 2006 – and each 5th grader will need to average 2 miles per week.

The program is gaining national attention and is currently being featured by Runner’s World magazine on their web site for children, at http://www.kidsrunning.com. The curriculum has also caught the attention of educators across the United States, which is evident by the number of daily e-mails the organizers are receiving from teachers wanting advice on how to implement a similar curriculum and/or just wanting to send a word of encouragement to the Russell Elementary students.

Working with Vicki to organize the Run/Walk Across America trek is her husband, Paul Staso – a former 5th grade teacher and varsity track and field coach who now owns and operates OnTrack Designs http://www.ontrackdesigns.com, a Missoula-based web site development business. His running background includes ultramarathon distances of up to 100 miles in one day. As an element of motivation, the 4th and 5th grade students have been given a unique challenge. If either class (or both) are successful in virtually crossing the United States by the end of the school year, then Paul will actually attempt to run across America on the same route from August 3 to November 1, 2006. During his trek he would show the course in detail through an educational web site, which would feature daily pictures and information.

The 3,200-mile route crosses 14 states, including: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware (including Washington D.C.). This virtual Run/Walk Across America will pass through the students’ hometown of Missoula, Montana, and they will learn various details about each state as they are running through it – such as historical facts, geographical details, climatic data, and more.

Currently, the 4th and 5th grade students at Russell Elementary School are virtually approaching Portland, Oregon on Highway 26. You can learn more about the Run/Walk Across America and send encouragement to the students by visiting http://www.seeusrun.com.

Contact:

Vicki Staso

Health Enhancement Specialist

Russell Elementary School

Missoula, Montana

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 406-728-2400, ext. 4815