The Serene Lake Elementary PTSA hosted its fourth annual Fund Run at the school on Oct. 12. More than 400 students had a really fun time – with lots of smiles – while raising more than $8,500.

The students donned their official Fund Run T-shirts, and did a high-energy warm up to music with a volunteer exercise instructor/parent Bari Dockens. Then the kids ran for 15-20 minutes – two of the PTSA’s marathon moms started them off from the gym.

After running, they received an Otter Pop as a treat. Even some of the teachers participated with the kids.

When the event was over, the principal wrote an email to the PTSA Co-President Melinda Webb entitled, “Great day had by all.”

More importantly, the run was a chance for the students to practice their leadership skills. Serene Lake Elementary teaches the “Leader in Me” program, a student-friendly approach to Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

In particular, the Fund Run helped students with Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw – to seek balance in their life – by exercising their bodies during the school day.

Before the event, as a school, the students used two other habits in order to reach their fundraising goal: Habit 2, Keep the End in Mind, and Habit 6, Synergize, working together as a team to reach our goal.

In the end, the school exceeded its goal of raising $8,500 for PTSA programs that support the school. The event ended officially Oct. 19, when the PTSA did the final tally for donations.

Top-donating students from each grade level were awarded prizes from local restaurants, attractions and museums.

-Edited by Beacon staff