At Sts. Simon & Jude School, Lifelong Learning objectives are cultivated both in the classroom and with our many free after-school “clubs” and special interest classes held on campus. Students are enabled to become responsible citizens who recognize, appreciate and utilize their God-given talents. These opportunities abound on campus when students participate in additional after-school activities ranging from Lego enthusiasts, Yoga classes, origami and chess.
One of the most popular after school clubs is “Kids Run the OC” which is supervised by three teachers at SSJ. Ms. Karen Foster, Mrs. Karen Castelblanco and Mrs. Sara Jones are inspiring students to become healthier and participate in outside community events.
Starting in early February, over 100 Sts. Simon & Jude students, ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade, participated in an on-campus, school-directed training program designed by Kids Run the OC. The program was designed to help pre-adolescent kids become more physically fit, promote an active and healthy lifestyle and combat the onset of childhood obesity – all while having fun. The students met twice a week after school and engaged in age appropriate moderate-to-vigorous physical activities, and learned about healthy eating habits by reinforcing healthy behaviors through nutrition challenges each week.
The 10-week training program promotes fun, positive running play, lifelong muscle and emotional memory, and a cooperative, not competitive, atmosphere. The program concluded with a 1-mile fun run called “Kids Run the OC” marathon at the Orange County Fair Grounds on May 5, 2018. The final mile concluded a total of 26.2 miles, earning the participants a marathon medal.
We are excited to continue to grow our running program at Sts. Simon & Jude School as we endeavor to “Inspire Kids to Fitness”!