Journal Entry For January 15 - January 21, 2006

Missoula, Montana Weather Conditions: Mild temperatures (mid to upper 30s). Still no snow in Missoula!

4th Grade Distance Completed This Week: 132½ miles

4th Graders' Location and Total Distance: 2 miles from Webster, South Dakota [1,570 miles - They're AHEAD of Pace]

5th Grade Distance Completed This Week: 161 miles

5th Graders' Location and Total Distance: Clarkfield, Minnesota [1,692½ miles - They're AHEAD of Pace]

Quote To Think About: "He who is outside the door has already got a good part of his journey behind him" (Dutch Proverb)

This journal entry was written January 21. On January 6 Mrs. Staso went to California to be with her mother, who was in the final stage of a 3-year battle with cancer. This week, on January 18, Mrs. Staso's mother passed away. Mrs. Staso was the only one with her mother when she died peacefully at 4:30am at her home. On January 19 Mr. Staso began driving to California with his four children to attend the funeral service. This week the 4th and 5th grade students were truly on their own for maintaining their effort to cross the continent. The substitute teachers did a wonderful job at keeping the kids active in P.E. and logging distances for each child. As you can see from the distances noted above for this week, each class put in an amazing effort.

The 4th grade class made excellent progress through South Dakota this week! They are only 53 miles away from the Minnesota border. They traveled through many towns, including: Bowdle, Roscoe, Ipswich, Mina, Aberdeen, Bath, Groton, Andover, and Bristol. The 5th graders crossed into Minnesota this week and went through such towns as Ortonville, Odessa, Correll, Appleton, Milan, Watson, and Montevideo.

While Mrs. Staso is away, you must keep working towards completing this trek. This is especially true for the fourth graders, it is really important that you get caught up. I'd also like to congratulate the fifth graders at the job they did in getting caught up and ahead of pace. You've been doing really well, but don't get complacent.

Wayne Baker
Westfield, New Jersey
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Wow! What amazing kids you are!!! As a runner and a mom of five kids you certainly have inspired me. I have been trying to get my kids motivated to begin a running program and plan to you use you guys as role models. Keep up the great work! Don't forget to stretch. Run fast and free.

Sharon Schaifo
Red Hook, New York
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Wow! 5th grade - way to go! You're ahead of the target pace. 4th grade keep up the good work you'll be ahead of the target pace soon. I'll check your progress soon.

Mr. Langley
2nd Grade Teacher - Inverness Primary School
Iverness, Florida
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WAY TO GO 5TH GRADE!!! If you guys keep up this pace you're going to be done before the end of the year! Or if you just keep on going you'll be in the Atlantic. Congratulations on reaching and passing the half-way mark. YOU'RE DOING GREAT!!!!!

Mrs. Stacey Rossmiller
Missoula, Montana
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Awesome job you guys!! You are an inspiration to all of us! Keep working hard, and be the first one's to complete this challenge!!

Lydia Gnagey
Butte, Montana
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Hi Runners! You're doing great! Keep adding up those miles! You have come such a long way! It won't be long before you are on the last half of your journey!

Jan Bixler
Missoula, Montana

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The Following Web Sites May Be Of Interest To You:

KidsHealth.org | PaceRun.com | PElinks4u.org