5K Rock N’ Run Raises Funds for Local Education

Runners and walkers from Fair Oaks, Carmichael and surrounding communities enjoyed picture perfect weather, first-class entertainment, and the opportunity to support local education Saturday at Rio Americano High School. The event, billed as the First Annual Rock N’ Run was hosted by the San Juan Education Foundation (SJEF) and will help provide funding in support of innovative teaching projects in the San Juan Unified School District.

The Bella Vista High School Band and Dance Team performed as competitors arrived, registered and received t-shirts.  When the starting whistle blew at 10 a.m. behind the Rio Americano Gymnasium runners ascended the levy to trace a course that looped around the school, through the neighborhood and back up to a finish line on the levy behind the school. In addition to the 5K race, a 3k walk ran concurrently on an abbreviated route. Families, including several with strollers participated in both.

Reed Breuer, 18, was the first runner to cross the finish line. Reed said this is his first year running competitively. He ran for the Rio Americano Track Team and also runs with the Buffalo Chips Running Club.

Greg Mandler, 47, was the 2nd over the finish line, remarkably so as this was his second run of the day. Mandler said he had come from a 5k race in Elk Grove earlier in the morning.

Kate Brieger, a Rio Americano alumni and recent graduate from Pomona College in Clairmont was 3rd over the finish line and 1st woman to finish on Saturday. Kate said she ran cross-country all four years at Rio.

Student volunteers offered water and refreshments to runners and walkers as they caught their breath and prepared for the “Rock” part of the event.  As musician’s set up on the outdoor stage families spread blankets on the lawn to take advantage of the bright sunshine, cool breeze and selection of food vendors, for a perfect picnic opportunity.

Musical entertainment was provided throughout the afternoon by the band “The New Originals”, as well as musicians from Bella Vista and Rio Americano High Schools, the Deterding Elementary School Choir and Dance Team, and Carriage Elementary Band and Dance Team.

Net proceeds from the event will benefit the foundation in their goal to provide support for innovative teacher-driven programs that inspire a love of learning and prepare students to succeed in a global economy.

The foundation is an independent, non-profit, volunteer-run organization that works to raise funds and help teachers help their students to thrive. The foundation encourages teachers throughout the district to apply for mini grants. This spring, twenty-five teachers from throughout the district were awarded grants totaling $10,000 to help fund programs in science, technology, arts, and reading.

General Davie, an SJEF board member since 2005, pointed out that we in the San Juan District are fortunate that our School Board recognizes the arts as an essential component of education and has not stripped funding as drastically as some other districts.

In an environment where public funds are constricting, and some question whether schools can even afford to offer arts or enhanced education in science and technology, Craig Faniani says “We can’t afford not to!”  Faniani, Arts Coordinator for the San Juan School District and piano man for “The New Originals”, believes that the arts encourage divergent thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling students to think creatively.

“California’s budget problems have seriously impacted the ability of our schools to continue important academic programs,” says SJEF Board Chair Charlene Mattison.

The students of the San Juan School Distirict are fortunate. Families here inhabit a fairly prosperous demographic. The participants on Saturday clearly believe in and favor funding education. Generally fit and focused on family, these community members are willing to step up where they see a need.

“We believe it is critically important to do everything we can as members of the Sacramento community,” Mattison says,” to enrich the classroom experience and offer support to teachers who want to use their creativity and innovation to challenge their students.”