Over one hundred and seventy eight students in both Franklin and Kennedy Elementary Schools participated in a Math-a-thon to raise $11,941.07 for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
At Franklin Elementary School, about 102 student participants in grades K-4 raised $7,994.35. Dr. Mary Ann Boyd, Franklin School Principal, feels this program was an important lesson for her students. Dr. Boyd said, “The most compelling aspect of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Math-a-thon is that our students want to help save the lives of other children who are fighting a serious disease. Its kids helping kids. We are always proud of our students but never more than when they reach out and look beyond their own needs to serve others.”
According to Audrey Wallock, Principal of Kennedy Elementary School, there were many ways to solve this fundraising problem: Students did up to 200 math problems as their ultimate goal.
· Some people pledged a number of cents per problem that the students completed correctly. Parents graded problems with an answer key provided.
· Some people gave a flat donation for the participation of a child.
· Some children earned money doing jobs around the house and donated that as their flat donation.
Mrs. Wallock is very proud of Kennedy’s contributions. “Our Kennedy children and families should be patting themselves on their backs, for we raised $3,946.72, said Mrs. Wallock.
Mrs. Wallock also commented that her students are all “super- heroes” in the fight against cancer with twenty-five percent of her students participating in this project. Mrs. Wallock is especially proud of the coordinating teacher’s efforts for this fundraiser, “Mr. Scott Huguenin, our enrichment teacher, has shown us all the true meaning of enrichment by heading this successful endeavor.”