BES ACCEPTS MARATHON CHALLENGE FOR RUNNING, READING, ACTS OF SERVICE

KELLER ISD

Bluebonnet Elementary students and staff are participating their own form of the Boston Marathon at school this year – accepting the challenge to run 26 miles, read 26 books, and take part in 26 acts of service.

Over the last seven years, BES Librarian Diana Colby and her husband have been to the Boston Marathon five times. She said her husband loves running and has qualified for the Boston Marathon every year since 2012. However, in 2014 he was "squeaked" out because the number of runners who wanted to run was greater than the slots available so he did not get to run. After that, he helped start a Facebook group called the “Boston Squeakers” for individuals who are on the line and risk not getting accepted in spite of having a qualifying time. As a result, her husband has connected runners all over the world, especially those in the Boston area.

"Many of the members of the group know that I am a librarian, and they share ideas with my husband," Colby said. "This past summer, one of the members shared the book, Dream Big: A True Story of Courage and Determination. My husband encouraged me to read the story."

Her husband reached out to the author and asked about the Dream Big Marathon challenge that is found in the back of the book, which is to read 26 books, run 26 miles and reach out 26 times over 26 weeks. The author of the book is Dave McGillivray, who happens to be the race director of the Boston Marathon.

After learning of the challenge, Colby met with Bluebonnet's PE teacher and counselor to see if the activities would match with their goals of the year. They both wholeheartedly agreed.

Colby connected the reading to their campus PTA’s Trailblazer Reading program so that the students receive rewards as they read books throughout the year. PE Teacher Jill Vaughan has a running unit and through a PTA donation has purchased an app which tracks the students as they run during PE. They can also track at home and add their distance to their total. Finally, BES Counselor Brittany Connolly created a Dream Big Marathon "Reach out with Kindness" sheet for students to track their acts of service. 

"This year we are seeing a lot more students participating in the PTA Trailblazer Reading program and students excited about doing acts of kindness and also running," Colby said.

Bluebonnet students are not the only ones who are participating in Dream Big though. Every teacher and staff member was invited to join the marathon. There are modified running challenges for the staff that include other activities such as walking and elliptical machines, with the goal to get everyone up and moving.

To help the staff members track their progress, Colby sends out a quick form each Monday morning for them to send in their miles completed, books read, and acts of service.

"Our goal is to help students realize that everyone can complete a marathon," Colby said. "We want students to know that they can do hard things. Hopefully, they will build endurance and perseverance."

After the Boston Marathon in April 2019, Bluebonnet will have its own celebration, where it will present those who completed the Dream Big Marathon with a special medal and watch a few highlights from the race.