Journal Entry For February 19 - 25, 2006

Missoula, Montana Weather Conditions: More seasonable temperatures with a little snow in the Missoula valley.

4th Grade Distance Completed This Week: 31½ miles

4th Graders' Location and Total Distance: 1 mile from the Iowa border [1,967 miles - They're BEHIND Pace]

5th Grade Distance Completed This Week: 71½ miles

5th Graders' Location and Total Distance: 11 miles from Farmington, Illinois [2,239 miles - They're AHEAD of Pace]

Quote To Think About: "No matter what the level of your ability, you have more potential than you can develop in a lifetime." (James T. McCay - Author)

This journal entry was written February 25. The 5th grade class got ahead of the required pace during the holiday season and has continued to do well through the winter months. They are now 2½ weeks ahead of pace and this week they entered the state of Illinois - their 9th state on the trek! The 5th graders now have 961 miles remaining until they reach the Atlantic Ocean. The 4th grade class lost a bit of momentum this week and are now 49 miles behind pace. However, they are only 1 mile from the Iowa border! There are 54 students in the 4th grade and it wouldn't take much for them to get back on pace. However, they will likely need to do some running and walking outside of school hours and hand in parent-signed mileage sheets. That seems to be a struggle for the 4th grade class and only a few mileage sheets are usually turned in weekly.

Next week the students will begin a Taekwondo unit which will not include very much running or walking. So, in order to maintain their current pace they will need to do some running/walking on their own and report their mileage to Mrs. Staso (on the yellow sheets). As the students have known from the beginning, the Run/Walk Across America trek is only a part of the P.E. curriculum for the school year. There are many other activities and lessons to be learned which do not necessarily provide the students with opportunities to acquire distance toward the journey across America. Each class needs to put in 84 miles per week in order to stay on pace.

Although our trek is on a northerly route across America, this week we received a very nice letter from the Governor of Arkansas. We truly appreciate Governor Mike Huckabee for taking the time to send encouraging words. Here is his letter...

Dear Mrs. Staso and students: What a wonderful and unique program you are participating in. Your website is very informative and interesting. It looks like you are well on your way to completing the 3,200 mile run. I just want to encourage you to keep up the good work and when you have completed this program - keep running or walking! I know firsthand the importance of eating healthy and exercising. I began to eat healthy and exercise every day and lost over one hundred pounds. My goal was not just to lose weight, but to get healthy. I feel much better and I am much healthier - is is a "lifestyle change" for me and hopefully this run will be for each of you too. You are learning so much through this program; such as, how to work as a team, the benefits of exercise and some interesting things about each state you pass through. You will all be winners at the end of this run! God bless you and keep running and walking.                      Sincerely yours,                      Mike Huckabee                      Governor of Arkansas

I know that we can make it to our goal. But we are falling behind. So we must keep running!

Anonymous
4th Grade Participating Student
Missoula, Montana
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Have a great time running through Iowa 4th Graders. It looks like you just might run through the town in which I was born (Independence, IA). On your way don't forget to look for the "Field of Dreams" outside of Dyersville, just a little east of your route on Highway 20.

Scott Bixler
Missoula, Montana
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Wow you all are doing a wonderful job working together to get across the country. Look how far you have walked/run!!! You have covered the Louis & Clark Trail backwards and still have energy for more!! My son & I will keep watching and cheering for you through the year. You've inspired us!!!

Theresa Rude
Alameda, California
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You guys are on the downhill side of things now and have shown amazing determination to get to this point! You all truly made this your own journey while Mrs. Staso was gone and you've continued on with that same attitude. This is something that you will look back on with wonderful memories and a huge sense of pride WHEN you all reach your goal! It's been an honor to be a part of such a wonderful program as a parent, but it's been an even greater honor to watch such an awesome group of kids strive to reach a goal. Remember to encourage each other and work as a team. YOU WILL ALL MAKE IT TO DELAWARE!!

Stacey Rossmiller
Missoula, Montana
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Fourth graders, You have to get on it. You're behind schedule again AND you've let the fifth graders get a WHOLE state ahead. You guys are capable of doing as much as the fifth graders. If they keep their pace, you may not catch them (but if you really work at it, you might). Fifth graders, keep up the good work!

Wayne Baker
Westfield, New Jersey

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