Sumac sponsors all-grade Sugar Sprint

LAURA STARKS/Special to the Acorn OFF AND RUNING- Eric Tally's third-grade class gets a fast start during the recent Sugar Sprint fundraiser at Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills. On the day after Halloween the students ran laps around the soccer field to raise money for the school's Parent Faculty Association, which provides instructor salaries for the library and the music, computer and physical education programs. Students from every grade level at Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills participated in a school fundraiser on Thurs., Nov. 1 on the school's soccer field.

The event's goal was to raise money for the Sumac Parent Faculty Association that pays salaries for instructor specialists in music, computer, physical education and the school library.

The special event was dubbed the Sugar Sprint because the run took place the day after children had reaped their Halloween bounty of sweets.

Students were led in a warmup by Sumac physical education teacher Kathi Stewart, then each class ran for 15 minutes to musical accompaniment provided by deejays Jeff and Jennifer Kantor of Gold Dust Entertainment. Family and friends sponsored students on a per lap basis.

Principal Carol Martino joined each grade for the first few laps.

"This is a fabulous fundraiser that teaches kids about staying healthy and physically fit," she said.

Sumac Parent Faculty Association vice-president Jessica Nimoy organized the event with the help of Martino. Association president Debby Pattiz also attended the event to lend her support.

"The most important part of the Sugar Sprint was how it taught kids that they can make a difference in their school," Nimoy said.