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Luverne Elementary School’s physical education classes are a little more crowded the first Fridays of the month.
That’s when parents and grandparents are invited to participate in the school’s walkathon either on the school track or, in the case of this past Friday, in the school gymnasium.
Physical education teacher TJ Newgard borrowed the idea from his brother-in-law, who teaches in Slayton. “It’s so we can get them active for 25 minutes,” Newgard said.
Now in its sixth year, the walkathon event is occasionally used as a fundraiser, when students accept pledges for the number of times they circle the track or gymnasium. In the gymnasium one mile is 14 laps.
“It is fun to be with my kids at school,” said Becky Huiskes, who regularly attends the walkathons with daughter Emmery, a kindergartner.
On walkathon days, two classes participate each hour for the entire school day, with some of Newgard’s middle school students joining in during the morning classes.