Amber Siratt
Kern Valley Sun

Wallace Elementary Laps for Learning participants could not have asked for better weather during the annual fundraising event last Friday. The crisp fall morning and up-beat music, provided by John Pair had students energized for the day’s event. Laps for Learning is a major fund raising opportunity for the school, according to organizers. This year’s goal is to raise $5,600. The money raised supports various enrichment activities for kindergarten through fifth grade students which include, field trips, assemblies, student programs and student activities.The concept of the fund raiser is for students to collect monetary pledges for the laps they complete around the track at neighboring Kern Valley High School. Those pledges came in the form of an amount per lap or a straight donation, which did not depend on how many laps the runner completed. Participation in the fund raiser is always voluntary; students had the option of walking, running or jogging the quarter-mile track.

Again this year, local businesses were asked to sponsor a classroom to help the school reach their goal. Several local businesses responded generously, with a $50-per classroom donation. As a way to show their appreciation, the classrooms who were sponsored, decorated a sign with the business name and the signs are now on display in the main hallway at the school.

Wallace first grader Wyatt “The Pirate” Lykins and Wallace first grade teacher Sharon Crowe, in her LA Dodgers uniform, are all smiles as they particiapte in the school’s annual Laps for Learning fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 30.

The top earners from each classroom were awarded glow necklaces for their effort. If the students do reach the school goal of raising $5,600, they will be awarded a bounce house fun day later this month.