Sprinting for funding

Harbor View Elementary School students ran through rain and wind Tuesday to raise funds for the extras that make their school stand out at their first jog-a-thon.

Most fundraisers are still on the calendar, but the school’s annual fall dinner dance was discarded in favor of the jog-a-thon, parents said.

“Our parents wanted to do something fun, something that would involve the children that everyone can do,” Principal Charlene Metoyer said. “The wonderful thing about this is that the kids are doing the running to help make Harbor View a great school.”

Raised funds will go toward enrichment programs. The school’s youngest runners also hoped to raise enough to bring back a dedicated physical education teacher.

“It’s the best way to raise money,” said Suzanne Schoen, school secretary of the parent-faculty organization. “These kids are having a ball. They really want to have a PE teacher again.”

Due to budget cuts, first- and second-grade classroom teachers at Harbor View now teach physical education to their students.

Kindergartners and students in upper grades still work with a physical education specialist.

Following 10-minute warm-ups, students from each grade level — with their own sea creature mascot sign — spent 20 minutes sprinting their hearts out on one of three one-meter tracks.

The sea creatures were painted by parent and local artist Andrea Loth.

School officials were worried that their first jog-a-thon could turn into an indoor dance-a-thon, as storm clouds gathered and the first drops began to fall.

“We managed to make it through,” Metoyer said. “The rain did not dampen our spirits. It was successful and fabulous.”

She said she tried to hint to the children that they should go inside, but the kids begged her to let them continue the fundraiser, so the event went on — with a few dry towels at the ready.

Organizers are still totaling the proceeds, but one sixth-grader is believed to have run more than 50 laps; first-grader Cole Mackinnon, 6, tallied 38.

“He never stopped,” school parent Gary Simpson said. “He didn’t even want to take a break.”

Several Newport Beach firefighters were on hand to cheer the kids on. Jason Fernandez, the department’s Firefighter of the Year, went one step further — joining the kids on the track, despite his heavy black boots. He inspired other members of the department to join in the fun.

Chloe Seybold, 6, said she didn’t run much before the event, but she’s now inspired to try running more often.

“I think it’s good to teach kids good physical fitness and competition,” her father, Ben Seybold, said. “It’s really old school.”

His family moved to the area three months ago from Coto de Caza; there are four Seybold children attending Harbor View.

He and other parents leaned forward with excitement as their kids jogged by, offering encouraging words and cheers.

The school is known for its strong parental involvement; 50 to 100 parents stay for the school’s flag ceremony every morning after dropping off their children.

Parents put together the event, lined up sponsors and helped set up and disassemble the track markers.

“It’s just all for the kids,” event co-chairwoman Julie Means said. “We just want every kid to have an excellent education.”