  This
journal entry was written March 4. This
week was the "Read
Across America" event nationwide to
celebrate the joy of reading! On March 2nd, which
is the birthday of Dr. Seuss, activities occurred
around the country to promote reading every day of
the year. We believe that the Dr. Seuss quote
shared above is excellent for the kids to think about as
they continue their virtual trek across the United
States! Dr. Seuss created many wonderful storybook
characters, and Thing 1 and Thing 2
(pictured at the right) are two such characters
who ran, smiled, and were not afraid to show their
true colors. They probably would have done great
at running across America!
This
week the 4th and 5th grade students did a
week-long P.E. unit on Taekwondo, which did not include any running or
walking distance to include in their trek across
America. However, the 5th grade students took
advantage of our unseasonably warm weather and
used the half-mile park trail behind the school to
get in two sessions of walking and running -
outside of P.E. class time. They gathered 93
miles! Thank you 5th grade teachers for helping
the students to stay on track! The 4th graders
struggled this week in acquiring any measurable
distance. Their class did not go outside like the
5th graders did, and only one 4th grade student
turned in a parent-signed sheet to verify distance
covered outside of school hours.
 In
the past two weeks the 54 fourth grade students
have added a total of 33 miles to their trek
across America, while the 41 fifth graders have
added 165. The contrasting effort is creating
quite a significant distance between the two
classes (currently 363 miles). Next week the 5th
graders should enter their 10th state on this
15-state journey, Indiana. The 4th grade will
likely be in their 8th state (Iowa) for at least
the next couple of weeks. We have said from the
start that the primary focus of this trek is not
competition between the classes.
However, there's nothing wrong with a little
friendly competition! Regardless of the distance
between the two classes, we are extremely proud of
the progress each class has made over the past 6
months and we are optimistic that both classes
will complete the trek across America by the last
day of school
–
June 9th!
Please
take a quick moment right now to
encourage them,
particularly the 4th grade students. We received only
two encouragement notes this week.
 Next
week the 4th graders will continue to travel
through the
Central
Lowlands while the 5th graders will stay on course toward the
Wabash River.
However, in the coming week the students have
Parent/Teacher Conferences, which means that there
will be no school on Thursday or Friday. That may
hinder their ability to acquire distance toward
the trek. That's
all for this week! Be sure to remember the words
of Dr. Seuss. . .
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in
your shoes. You can steer yourself in any
direction you choose."
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Some Encouraging Notes
We Received This Week: |
I had checked into
your web site when you started and to say the least I am very
impressed with your results. Each of you should be very proud of
your progress as a member of a team, all striving to reach a
common goal. When I kick off my 2006 Track season with my 4th and
5th grade girls I will tell them about your adventure. I hope your
efforts will motivate my girls to a great season.
Gene Rooney
Track Coach - All
Saints Regional
Glen Cove, New York
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Come
on 4th Graders! I know you can catch up with the 5th graders! It's
finally turning spring so let's get out there and put some miles
behind us! You're doing great
–
and the states are going to start going by a lot faster!
Jan Bixler
Parent of 2
Participating 4th Graders
Missoula, Montana
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