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Kathyrn School prepares for return of annual walk-a-thon fundraiser

The funds raised from the walk-a-thon help supplement costs for field trips, guest speakers, and other special events at the school.
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Kathyrn School's annual walk-a-thon is coming back this month, after a three-year, COVID-caused hiatus.

Kathyrn School students will be getting their steps in on May 13, thanks to the long-awaited return of the rural school’s beloved walk-a-thon.

The fundraiser walk was held annually at Kathyrn School for 35 years, until it had to be cancelled in 2020 and then again in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But now, for the first time since 2019, Kathyrn School students are gearing up to take part in the annual event once again.

“It’s the biggest fundraiser for the school, and the only main fundraiser we do,” said Angela Rott, the assistant principal of Kathyrn School.

On May 13, students will attend a school-wide assembly before heading outside for a school-wide walk up and down Range Road 273 and back – a distance of approximately 11 kilometres. Along the route, stations will be set up to allow the approximately 150 students to enjoy a range of snacks and beverages.

Upon their return to the school, Rott said the students get to enjoy a hot dog lunch.

According to the assistant principal, the walk is some Kathyrn School students’ favourite day of the school year.

“They were very excited when we announced we’d be having it again because it’s a day they look forward to all year,” she said.

Special dignitaries joining in the walk this year include Rocky View Schools (RVS) Ward 4 Trustee Norma Lang, RVS mascot Rocky the Raccoon, and members of Rocky View County Fire Services, who also help supervise the event to make sure it runs safely.

Rott added the walk-a-thon typically raises $15,000 to $20,000 a year for Kathyrn School. In the lead-up to the walk, students are sent home with pledge sheets. The three classes whose students raise the most money will receive prizes, including a pizza party, popcorn and movie party, and ice cream party.

The funds raised from the walk-a-thon help supplement costs for field trips, guest speakers, and other special events at the school.

“When we go on field trips, we can subsidize things like bussing or [bring] things like Alien In-line Skating and those kinds of things to the school,” Rott said.

“We highlight the fact that everyone benefits from doing the walk-a-thon. They all benefit from the field trips and things that come with it, so everyone is benefiting.”

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