Hi
Kids, I guess last week might be called a "bump in the road." You
can't let it discourage you. I'd like to challenge you, so here's my
suggestion: Can each of you fourth graders do at least 2.5 miles
this week (and those of you who can do more, please do)? And can you
fifth graders each do at least 3 miles this week? If you guys can do
this, you'll make big progress to being back on track. Here in New
Jersey, we just got our first real snow. I like to cross-country ski
when we get some real accumulations. Do any of you do that? I hope I
can meet Mr. Staso in Delaware, but it's up to you guys to make it
happen. Apply yourselves every day and it will happen. Best wishes
and stay warm (by running)!
Wayne Baker
Westfield, New Jersey
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr.
and Mrs. Staso have told me what you students are doing, and I am
thrilled to hear it. Keep up the good work! Add up those miles! Make
my friend, Paul, run across America for real. I know he wants to do
it. You will be accomplishing something no one else has done! And, I
will help support Paul financially, when he runs it this summer.
David Rodli
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hey
guys....This is a really good way to combine physical fitness with a
goal. Some of you might not be good runners now but you never know,
as you grow and develop, you may become a track star. Maybe not, but
this program will certainly keep the cobwebs out of that thing
sitting on your shoulders.
-
dis·ci·pline - noun (plural dis·ci·plines)
Definitions:
1. training to ensure proper behavior: the practice or methods of
teaching and enforcing acceptable patterns of behavior;
2. order and control: a controlled orderly state, especially in a
class of schoolchildren;
3. calm controlled behavior: the ability to behave in a controlled
and calm way even in a difficult or stressful situation;
4. conscious control over lifestyle: mental self-control used in
directing or changing behavior, learning something, or training
for something.
If you learn
discipline at your age, it will serve you well as you grow into
adulthood. Good running!!
Eric Hefty
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Way
to go kids! Keep up the good work, its hard to stay active in the
winter time. I am hoping for a visit this summer from Mr. Staso, if
you meet your goal he will be running through my hometown,
Rochester, MN. Keep plugging along!
Bart Hanson
Rochester, Minnesota
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
am so proud of what you are doing. What a healthy activity. Keep up
the hard work.
Debbie
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hey
everyone, I want to cheer you on to keep walking/running. I KNOW you
want to see Mr. Staso actually run your route across the US. You're
awesome! You can do it! Keep up the good work!
Gin Graham
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
You
guys are doing such a good job. Don't forget that if you can cross
Montana before Christmas break, (December 22 is your last day of
school) there's a pizza party waiting to happen. Be creative in how
you achieve your miles. Get an adult to take you "mall walking",
bundle up and walk outside, use a treadmill if you have one
available, BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER: Check with an adult DO NOT go by
yourself, and be smart and be safe!!!
Diana Sontag
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
am so proud of all of you - what a great project! I know it's harder
now that it's turned cold and snowy, but I have confidence you can
make your goal. Keep up the good work and I'll be there to help you
celebrate when you finish your journey across Montana!!
Jan Bixler
Parent of a 4th
Grade Participant
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello
Boys and Girls! I'm happy to see that you are going to run through
the winter. I think cold/cool running weather is the best. Running
keeps you toasty warm outdoors. I hope to hear about all of your
adventures. Keep up the good work! My class runs too - all year.
Carol Goodrow
2nd Grade
Teacher, Birch Grove Primary School
Tolland, Connecticut
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Congratulations
on your achievement so far. You should be very proud of
yourselves! Keep up the great work!
Dawn Hill
4th Grade Teacher,
Rancho Isabella Elementary
Angleton, Texas
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
am encouraged by your willingness to run and walk day after day and
week after week. It was 32 degrees in Fresno this morning when I
got dressed to go outside for MY run, and I "chickened out." I
didn't have time to go out after it warmed up, so I just missed out
for today. After reading about YOUR dedication to the task, I am
much more likely to go out, myself, even if it IS cold. Thank you
for encouraging me, and I hope I am encouraging you, also.
Clora Ann Crum
Retired
Teacher
Fresno, California
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Keep
up the great work! You will all make it for sure! Try and
remember that the journey can be as much fun as getting to the
destination! Go Kids Go!
Rich
San Jose, California
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Each
Monday I look forward to checking out your progress. You are
getting closer to Miles City where I live now. You are all doing so
well - keep up the good work. I'm anxious to see which group arrives
here first!! Remember to bundle up -- our Eastern Montana
temperatures are pretty cold right now!
Karen Huckins
Former
Librarian at Russell Elementary
Miles City, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Keep
up the running, this is a very worthwhile thing and excellent for
your health. It will be something you can be proud of doing! Go
for it!
Thomas Eagan
Teacher at
Covenant Day School
Charlotte, North Carolina
_________________________________________________________________________________________
You
are doing an excellent job. You're really close to your target
pace, and that is admirable. Keep going.
Wanda Wells
4th Grade
Teacher, Conder Elementary
Columbia, South Carolina
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear
boys and girls, I know how hard it is to walk everyday, but keep
walking/running. It will pay off in the long run. I teach 22
children and I encourage them to walk also. Keep up the good work.
We are pulling for you here in South Carolina.
Doretha Daniels
2nd Grade
Teacher, Bethel-Hanberry Elementary
Blythewood, South Carolina
_________________________________________________________________________________________
As
a runner myself, I highly encourage you to continue your goal to
the finish! You are all do great and are almost half way there!
Dress warm in layers and head on out! Good luck to all of you!
Tracy Petrik
1st Grade
Teacher, Lewis Carroll Elementary
Merritt Island, Florida
_________________________________________________________________________________________
As
a former 5th grade teacher, I was excited to see this activity.
Fifth graders rock! Give your teachers a great present for the
holidays by meeting or exceeding your goals! You can do it!
Carol W.
Former 5th Grade
Teacher, Botetourt County Schools
Fincastle, Virginia
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Keep
up the good work! I know you can complete this. Since it's so
cold there, could you walk the halls instead of outside? We measured
a path of 1 mile in our school hallways for teachers to walk after
school one year and I bet you could do the same at your school.
Don't give up!
Lori
Instructional Materials
Technician, Center Elementary School
Freeport, Illinois
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I'm
an elementary counselor and I see many children who would benefit
from this kind of endeavor. Please keep up the good work, which
can be a terrific example to lots of other kids. I'll be sharing
your exciting progress with four schools' fourth and fifth graders.
At one of my schools, there is a running club. They just competed in
the Jingle Bell Run in downtown Peoria, which raises money for the
Arthritis Foundation. They will begin again in the spring and run in
a race that supports our Family House for families with children in
the hospital. You have set the bar for many other such groups and
given them an inspiring example to follow. I'm rooting for all
of you!
Christine Barrow
K-5
Counselor, Dunlap CUSD #323
Peoria, Illinois
_________________________________________________________________________________________
You
kids are doing something that few children have every thought about!
Congratulations on making it to the middle of Montana! May you find
strength to continue strong during the cold weather that lies ahead.
You are setting a wonderful example for us adults!
John Bradford
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
try to walk two miles every day, so I know that you can walk 2 miles
each week. I, too, live where it is cold and snowy, so I walk
inside. Did you know that if you march in place at a good pace for
15 minutes, you have walked the equivalent of a mile? Ask your
teachers if doing this will count toward your mileage. You can put
on five fun songs, march in place, and at the end of this, you will
have gone about one mile. Here's something else fun to try--march in
place during the commercials while you are watching TV. Keep track
of the minutes. You will be shocked to learn just how many minutes
of commercials there are! You could also walk two miles while
watching a half hour sit-com. Good luck!
Ann Franzenburg
High School
French Teacher, Benton Community
Van Horne, Iowa
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Run,
guys! Good luck to all of you brave souls/soles!
Barbara Bomes
Librarian,
Curtis School Foundation
Los Angeles, California
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Wow!
With the temperatures this cold, my students and I are really
cheering you onward ho! Get your johnny hand and feet warmers, your
long underwear, layered mittens, ski masks, and coats! We're betting
that the weather can only dampen your spirits a little bit before
you get right back on pace! We're wishing you the very best this
holiday season! Our thoughts and prayers will be supporting you
also! Think of yourselves as modern-day explorers facing a
difficult, but attainable challenge! Go for the gold!
A High School Teacher
Illinois
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Run,
run, run - it will help you to stay warm on these very cold days! I
don't think you ran through Washington. Moses Lake is right on I-90
half way between Spokane and Seattle. Your speech therapist, Mrs.
Thorne, is my sister! I am a UM alumni and love Missoula. Go,
go, go!
Susan Beall
K-5 Longview
School
Moses Lake, Washington
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
am the Mapping / GIS Supervisor for Missoula County so I work with
geography every day. Many years ago I drove this cross country
route. It took four long days! I truly admire your courage and
your determination to take on a task as large as this. Hang in
there. Take it one day at a time and you will accomplish your goal!
If you do, I'll print you a wall map of your route. Good luck!
Doug Burreson
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Way
to go Kids. Keep it up!
Julia
_________________________________________________________________________________________
YOU
GO KIDS! What a challenging and exciting goal you have set for
yourselves. I bet you all are having fun, getting in shape and
learning many new things about our beautiful USA. Don't give up
even though it's getting cold up there. I'm going to tell the PE
coach at my school about your awesome idea. I hope she coordinates
something like it next year. I can't wait to read about your
progress throughout the next few months!
Mrs. Kelly
Reading Resource
Teacher, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic
Daytona Beach, Florida
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Way
to go Russell Elementary School. I am so excited that you have
the Staso's there encouraging you. They are wonderful. Keep walking
and running!
Kerri Fredrickson
Woodinville, Washington
_________________________________________________________________________________________
WOW!
You guys are amazing! My daughter is in 4th grade and I think
she would be so excited to try something like this! We are going to
check out your website and follow your progress. I think the biggest
challenge will be these next cold months...but YOU CAN DO IT!!!
I will pray for strength in your hearts and your legs. Don't give
up!!! Go for it! Imagine how great it will feel to say that you ran
all the way across the United States...what a great accomplishment!
Keep up the great work, we'll be watching and cheering you on
from California!
Debbie Haliday
High School
Coach, Hillcrest Christian School
Granada Hills, California
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hey
you guys... Keep it up!!!! You can do it!!!! My sister, Sharon
Hanson, from Missoula, sent us an article that described your
amazing, interesting & challenging endeavor. You are truly
pioneers!!!!! Another approach: Encouragement!!! If you
encourage each other (including the other class) you will be able to
cross the finish line together holding your hands above your head
when you cross the finish line!!!! Get the good feeling that comes
with running and accomplishing something that no class has ever done
before. Keep It Up!!!!! You Can Do It!!!!
Mel Opstad
Big Lake, Minnesota
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Keep
up the good work! Your teacher says the temperature there is
below zero! We can't even imagine a temperature like that! Today
it is 70 degrees and windy here and we think it's chilly!
Rick Sheppard
Vice
Principal, Freedom 7 International School
Cocoa Beach, Florida
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
had a friend who had a muscle disease and could not run, or even
walk. She used to watch people and wonder if they knew how wonderful
it was to have a healthy body. I think you students know how
wonderful it is to have a healthy body. Keep the pace! You can do
this!
Laurie Job
High School Math
Teacher, Valley Christian School
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs.
Staso will be on the radio on KGVO and KYSS-FM with Craig and
Al during the news...listen in!!
Peter Christian
KGVO Radio
Missoula, Montana
(Note: Mrs. Staso was interviewed by Peter Christian on the
radio - which aired this week. Thanks Peter!!)
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
am SO impressed with your quest to conquer the United States via
your virtual run/walk. Keep adding up those miles. It makes me
proud to see that progress line moving ahead. The entire state of
Montana is cheering for you. We want to see a group of Montana
kids accomplish something no other group has succeeded in doing. Go
for it! We're all cheering for you. Go, Missoula, Montana! (Be
sure to put on a few extra layers of clothing as the thermometer
drops. I can tell you that -24 degrees requires many layers. My dog,
Tucker, became restless waiting for me to don all of my running gear
this morning. But what fun it was after we'd taken the first few
steps!) I might also tell you that I've been running for 35
years. I'll admit that on mornings when it's dark and cold I have
questioned going out for a run. However, I ALWAYS know I've made the
right choice once I'm outside feeling my body moving. Nothing beats
the feeling the rhythm of running creates. Happy Running and Happy
Holidays
Myrna Ryti
Retired
Elementary Teacher
Terry, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear
4th and 5th Graders of Russell Elementary: With the cold weather now
upon you, I'll do my best to send some of the warm Texas weather
that we have during the winter up to Montana for your runs and walks
- as long as you continue to do your best to reach your goal of
running/walking across the U.S. Congratulations and Keep Up the
GREAT work!!! We are all very proud of you!!! Best of luck!!
Gerhard Barone
Assistant
Professor, The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Great
job so far kids! The toughest part of the journey is ahead, the
newness of the challenge has worn off and the real work begins now!
Keep your eye on the finish line and to achieve your goal it
takes hard work and dedication. Don't stop now... keep moving!
Cheryl Hanson-Gould
High
School Teacher, Joel E. Ferris High School
Spokane, Washington
_________________________________________________________________________________________
All
of you girls and boys are making history! Keep walking and
running! Every step you take is a step for health, for learning
about our nation, for building the cooperative spirit that makes
good things happen in our towns and cities all across the country.
Thank you!
Mary Moon
Tacoma Learning
Center
Tacoma, Washington
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
was very impressed by your trek across America. Next time you
will have to go across from NW to SE and include Georgia! Way to go
kids. Keep up the good work.
Molly Buchanan
Jr. High
Teacher, Pickens County Middle School
Jasper, Georgia
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Congratulations from
Napanee, Ontario, Canada! What a neat idea! We hope you enjoy every
minute of this challenge, and that you reach your goal of
walking/running across the USA by the end of June. The winter months
are cold (We know!), but if you keep your target in mind, you will
make it. We look forward to hearing that you reached your goal.
In Canada, we have many heroes that show us how to set a goal and
continue to reach towards it. Terry Fox and Vicky Keith are two of
them. We are sure you have many heroes you can look up to in this
way to encourage you to keep going even when the going gets tough.
Try to imagine the feelings you will experience when it is June
(warm!) and you have reached your goal. You're off to a good start,
keep it up!
Fabienne, Michelle, Stephen and
Dan Deloughery
The Prince Charles School
Napanee, Ontario, Canada
_________________________________________________________________________________________
RUN
FOR THE PIZZA GUYS! You guys can still get the pizza if you turn
in the yellow slips! Make for the border (Montana that is! Even
though heading South would be warmer!) and get there before
Christmas break. PTA will furnish the pizza if you do the miles!
You guys are AWESOME!!! Remember: Running/walking is a good way
to keep warm!
Stacey Rossmiller
PTA
President, Russell Elementary School
Missoula, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi,
kids, I just read about your efforts, courtesy of Russ Fletcher.
Wow! This is very cool and a tremendous challenge, something you
will remember for the rest of your lives. So hang in there! Who
would have known it would get so cold on us. Drat. Cover those
heads, ears and hands and keep it up! I'm in Bozeman and I see you
have run right past us. I am alerting some friends and our school
superintendent to your website, and hope you will receive some more
Bozeman "mail."
Julie Hitchock
Bozeman, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
What
a great inspiration you all are for other kids and adults around the
world! As a science teacher, I teach the importance of taking
care of your body and exercising. You all have made a commitment and
are following through with the challenge - this lesson will carry
you far in life. I salute your effort and wish both classes good
running weather! With that dedication, I know you will finish the
race!
Dr. Cynthia Holland
High
School Chemistry/Physics Teacher, Newberry High School
Newberry, Florida
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I would just like to say, "Way to
go!" You are doing awesome! Hang in there during these cold
winter days. I'll be watching for you to pass through Bismarck.
Shouldn't be long! I hope to run my first marathon this summer,
right before I turn 40 years old. You will all be an inspiration to
me!
Cazanne Fitterer
Bismarck, North Dakota
_________________________________________________________________________________________
You
all are so amazing! Congratulations on all your successes to date.
You are inspiring a lot of other people out there including me...
We have a 2 mile Riverwalk up here in Eureka, Montana that I am
going to start walking at least once a week (maybe more!) Thanks for
your inspiration and good luck on the your remaining trek...I know
you all can do it.
Tracy McIntyre
Eureka, Montana
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
am all the way in Bangkok, Thailand, but I wanted to tell you
students to keep up the good work. Perseverance and consistency
are the keys to finishing.
Mark Rodli
Bangkok, Thailand
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Its
really cold in Missoula and I remember walking to the old Willard in
the snow and cold. I see you are making good progress and keep up
the good run..... Every step is worth the effort.
Ann
Tacoma, Washington
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I
am so impressed! This is an excellent endeavor by you all. What a
sense of achievement you must already have. I'm an old childhood
friend of Mrs. Staso and she's always been an impressive and
wonderful person, but this program shows how much she cares for
you all and how much confidence she has in all of you to accomplish
this mighty task. Keep up the great work and I look forward to
watching your progress through the end of school. GREAT JOB ALL OF
YOU!
Tracy (Bourn) Henderson
Castro Valley, California
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Heidi Lindner, a 5th Grade
Teacher at Beaver Acres Elementary,
located in Beaverton, Oregon, gave her students an opportunity to
send the Russell Elementary 4th and 5th graders many words of
encouragement. She also organized similar encouragement notes in
October. Here are the kind thoughts that her students sent to us
this week:
I know it is
cold, but I wish you good luck. What if you were actually running
across the USA? I was once one place when it was freezing. I wish
you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
– Genevieve
Keep up the good
work. Don't give up because of the weather. Just bundle up, or run
in your house. Just don't give up!
– Desyre
Keep going. You
are doing great. Don't give up.
– Sky
Hi Kids! I hope
you never give up.
– Omar
I wish you good
luck. I know you can do it! I know it's cold and below freezing
there. Its been real cold here too, so I know how you feel. I wish
you best of LUCK. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
– Rebecca
I know you have
to run through the cold. Stick with it. I really appreciate what
you're doing.
– Brwa
Don't give up.You
guys ROCK.I hope you reach your goal.
– Lexi
I know you can do
it. All you need to do is dress warm & run. I want to wish you a
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year & GOOD LUCK.
– Jeremiah
Keep going. It's
great what you're doing.
– Ian
I know it's cold.
Keep going. You're on your way there. Believe in yourself.
– C.J.
Keep trying.
Never give up. And by the way Merry Christmas.
– Nareen
Hi! I hope that
you never give up on running.
– Iman
Hello, I've heard
it is very cold in Montana. You should't quit just because of some
weather. Be sure to stay warm though and drink lots of water
– Brian
Even though it is
below 0 you can still run. Think your in HAWAII. You can do it 5th
grade. Keep up with the 4th grade.
– Ray
Hey guys! I know
its cold up there. But the more exercise you do the faster you can
finish your run across the USA! And the faster you can not be in the
cold and stay home in your warm house!!! I know you can do it. Keep
up the hard work!
– Taylor
Don't STOP
running! You can do it! If I were with you I would keep running!!!!
– Savanna
One thing that
you can do is go to a gym and run on a treadmill and can count the
miles.
– Marcus
Don't give up,
you know you're champions!!!!
– Jocie
Don't give up!
Keep running!
– Ashley
Keep on running
through that snow.
– Johnny
You guys can make
it! Fight the snow! Run as many miles as you can! You can do IT!
Merry Christmas!
– David
Cmon guys you can
do it! It may be cold but I know you guys run through it. I hope you
make it.
– Aaron
Quote
To Think About: "Running
is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you,
‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?"
(Peter Maher - Irish-Canadian Marathon Olympian)
