ORLANDO, Fla. — Before the school day begins at Blankner Elementary School in Orlando, the students get the chance to move their bodies with the Smile Mile, a program created to get them active before the day begins.
What You Need To Know
- Linda Prusaczyk created the Smile Mile, a morning period for elementary students to run before school
- Each student has a scan card, and for every lap scanned, they get closer to winning a prize
- Blankner Elementary School participated in the Finish Like A Champion Program, with a goal to complete 26.2 miles ahead of the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials
- Thetrials will take place on Saturday in Orlando
Each morning, a different grade comes out to the school’s track before the bell rings. Remy Cahen, a first grade student at Blanker, explained how the program works.
“You go run a lap and when you finish running a lap, then they scan it and you get a lap,” said Cahen. “Once you get enough laps you get a prize.”
The students run out to the track and begin their run as their little legs fly around and around. This program began when P.E. teacher Linda Prusaczyk would come to school early in the morning with her son, when he was a student at Blanker. She had an idea to keep him occupied and encouraged him to start running.
“When my son was in first grade and I wanted him to get moving before school,” said Prusaczyk.
Her son ended up convincing other friends to join him on his morning laps and suddenly, more students at the school wanted to join as well.
Ms. Prusaczyk was able to get a math grant, promoting math skills by counting laps, calculating how many miles they have fun, and use the grant to help get prizes for the Smile Mile.
“We did it and we loved it, and when the run came they wanted to continue doing it, and we’ve done it since,” said Prusaczyk.
The Smile Mile is a year-long program, but it worked seamlessly for Blankner Elementary to participate in the Finish Like A Champion project, a program designed to get young students active and complete 26.2 miles before the US Olympic Marathon trials in Orlando.
Cahen shared what he loves about the Smile Mile.
“I get to run with my friends and it’s good exercise," he said. "There’s lots of different stuff, I’ve gotten a bouncy ball and I think putty."
Prusaczyk said the 8-8:30 a.m. window before school helps the students with their focus and energy levels during the day, promotes healthy habits and brings new friendships.
“You feel good. So when they throw things at me and I had a hard day, if I was moving in the morning I can handle it better,” said Prusaczyk. “That’s what running does.”
The U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials will take place on Saturday in Orlando.