KAPA‘A — The St. Catherine School carnival was first postponed by the arrival of the COVID-19 health crisis in Hawai‘i. As the crisis worsened, the carnival was eventually canceled for the year and replaced by the Move-a-thon on Friday.
“This event is school-wide,” said Mary Ann Bode, principal. “Every grade has an opportunity to spend 30 minutes on the course that has an obstacle course, jump ropes, hula hoops and a running course. The goal is to have students moving. They go through the different phases and just keep moving.”
The Move-a-thon also served as a fundraiser for the school, to update and maintain its technology platform.
“This is very important, especially during this time when information had to be passed electronically,” Bode said. “When I took over, the Chrome Books were outdated, and there was not enough for all the students. We need to get updated Chrome Books for the students.”
Audrey Ventura spearheaded the project, and presented the program to the school’s Parent Teacher Group, the result being the Move-a-thon that took place in lieu of the carnival that was canceled for 2020.
“This is just the first event of at least three,” Bode said. “We plan to do one each quarter.”
Students were provided with opportunities to unlock a cache of prizes that included Wailua Shave Ice gift cards and a popsicle party for the class that reaches its goal. If the school reaches its goal of $25,000, every class will enjoy a pajama, popcorn and movie day.
Additionally, individual students had opportunities for premiums based on fundraising. Top classroom earners were able to cash on in free Pono Market lunches, pizza party, ice-cream party, a donut day and a free dress week.
“The event was live-streamed on the school’s website,” Bode said. “This way, the community sponsors had a chance to take in the activity. We also checked with the county and health officials on having this event. Parents were allowed to view the event from the parking lot with face masks and social distancing. We hit the goal and then some.”
