WALKATHON GUIDE

Saturday, October 10, 2009 — BooksinWalkathon.com

Calendar of Events
Why Walk? September 25 – October 9:
Collect Pledges:
Booksin Elementary School Community Association (BESCA) has sponsored
Walkathon for more than twenty years. It is our school's primary fundraiser,
Saturday, October 10:
and we have earned $150,000 dollars annually for the past several years with
22nd Annual WALKATHON
all profits going back to our children.
Registration Opens 8:15 am
Funds raised at this event sustain many ongoing programs, including: Warm-Up Stretch 8:45 am
Walk! 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
● Technology: Consultant Staff and Educational Resources
● Music: Program Support and Performance Art Resources & Supplies
● Art Vistas: Booksin's parent-led Art Appreciation and lesson program
● Science: Primary Grades support and the Science Fair Monday, October 12:
● Grade-Level Funds: Field Trips and Enrichment Activities Pledge Sheets back to Students
● Individual Class Funds: Teacher-designated purchases for classrooms
Monday, October 26:
● Classes: Spelling and Language Arts Books Pledge Money Due
● Bonus Activities: Assemblies, Special Events, Library Books, etc ...
Friday, November 13:
Award Assemblies
More than a Fundraiser!
Only those students who turn in their
Pledge Money by 2:00 pm, Monday,
Walkathon represents all that is really great about Booksin. Because October 26, 2009, will be eligible to
participation is very high, our students can be proud to contribute directly and receive individual awards or be included
individually to the school. On this one day in October, we come together to in Top Club for top fundraisers.

support our kids and celebrate our community. This is an amazing event, and ________________
we hope you will join the entire Booksin Community at the Walkathon!

If You Cannot Attend After Walkathon

If you cannot attend the Walkathon but want to receive credit for participating (and
get a T-shirt), submit a Pledge Card to your teacher with the minimum $15.00 in During the week following
pledges by Friday October 9, 2009. We’ll deliver the shirt. By doing this before Walkathon, your child will
Walkathon you may help your class win 100% participation! There is no guarantee receive their Pledge Card
that T-shirts will be available after the day of Walkathon. (which you turned in at
Registration at Walkathon).

Junior Walkers & Alumni Walkers The card will be updated with
the final mileage and with the
Younger siblings (ages 3-5) are Junior Walkers at Walkathon! With a $15.00 totals due from sponsors.
payment at the Registration Desk on Saturday morning, kids ages 3-5 get a special Please review the Pledge Card
Lap Card and are eligible for special prizes, indicated on the card, up to three miles. for accuracy, and then help your
child collect the owed funds.
Non-students (including Booksin Alumni and older siblings) may walk at Walkathon!
In order to receive a Lap Card and T-shirt, non-students must submit a Pledge Card All money must be returned
with a minimum $20.00 donation. Non-students with Lap Cards are eligible to earn by Monday, October 26.
the same food and non-food incentive prizes as Booksin students up to the 20-mile
prize.
Booksin's AMAZING RACE WALKATHON GUIDE - p2

Donations Add Up!

Collecting Pledges Just a partial list of the ways your
donation helps improve your child's
The Walkathon Information Packet sent home with the students contains education at Booksin School:
a Sponsor Sheet (also called a "Pledge Card"). Students can collect
pledges from friends, family, neighbors or parents' co-workers. Please be $7500 Library Books
sure to accompany your child if they are going door to door to get
sponsors! Students have until Walkathon Day to get pledges! $4500 Student Practice
WorkBooks for
Pledges are crucial to our success. More than 60% of total Grades 1-5
Walkathon revenue comes from pledges the children collect!
Generally, there are two types of pledges: $4000 One Field Trip, with
buses, tickets,
Flat Pledges: The preferred pledge is a flat pledge, a fixed amount, curriculum tools
regardless of how far a student walks. We encourage pledges of $20 and
above. We also encourage students to set an overall goal of $200. $3000 Art Vistas Program
Supplies
Per-Mile Pledges: With a per-mile pledge, donations increase with each
mile walked. The track is one-third of a mile long, and credit is only given $3000 Enrichment
for whole miles walked. Allocations for one
grade level
Why do we prefer flat pledges? First, it is a known amount of money.
Regardless of whether a student walks 1 mile or 20 miles, the amount $3000 Science Activities
stays the same. Second, a flat pledge removes any "surprise factor" for Supplies & Support
donors. Everyone has funny stories of a donor pledging $5.00 per mile
and expecting the student to walk only 3 miles. When the student then $2000 Cornerstone
walks 20 miles and returns to the donor for $100.00 (instead of the Activities
expected $15.00), it can create an awkward situation. But perhaps most
important, if you solicit a flat pledge, you have the ability to collect it on $1000 School Safety
the spot. Otherwise, you must return to the donor after the event. Supplies

Matching Grants: Many companies have matching programs for $1200 Garden Life Lab -
employee donations. They often include pledges, and apply to all Annual Programs
employees at the workplace. Parents, check with your employer to see if
they match donations that you and your co-workers make to Walkathon! If $1200 5th Grade
this is possible, contact us – We will help you navigate the paperwork. Promotion

Checks should be payable to "BESCA." BESCA is a 501(c)3 $655 School Planners for
organization, and pledges have the potential to be tax-deductible all 4th & 5th grade
donations in accordance with applicable law. students

$630 Science Boards for

Bring Your Pledge Card to Walkathon! all 4/5th grade
classes for Science
Fair
All students who arrive on campus Saturday morning – and who submit a
Walkathon Pledge Sheet with at least $15.00 in pledges – receive a free
$600 Enrichment Funds
Booksin Walkathon T-shirt to wear all day and keep.
for One Classroom
Please hold onto any money you collect until after the event. We don't
accept money until Walkathon is over.
Booksin's AMAZING RACE WALKATHON GUIDE - p3

On Walkathon Day - Sat, October 10

Families are encouraged to “set up camp” on the grass field and on locations along the course. Plan to bring folding chairs
or a blanket, and if you would like, umbrellas or pop-up tents for shade. Create a family meeting place and rest zone!

We will have dozens of volunteers on the course during the day. Safety is our foremost priority. But we rely on parents to
keep an eye on their own students.

Tips for a Great Day Safety Tips

Clothing: Students should wear loose-fitting shorts and a new Walkathon shirt. Don't forget Sunscreen!
Check the forecast. It may be cool at 9:00 am, but the temperature will rise.
Basic First Aid materials and
Footwear: Students should wear the most comfortable shoes possible. Keep assistance will be available.
them on! Bring spare socks. Sometimes a change just feels better. Keep shoes,
socks and clothes dry to avoid chafing. Bees and yellow jackets are not
unusual; if you or a family
Long Distance Tip: Before walking, have your student put a small amount of member is allergic, be sure to
vaseline between toes and around potential blister spots on the feet. Also do this bring your bee sting kit.
around chafing spots such as under the arms and around the thighs. This small
effort can dramatically reduce blisters and chafing. Just remember: a very small Share your schedule! Please
dab is all you need. make sure your child knows
where you can be found
Do not leave campus with your Lap Card! throughout the day

Talk to your kids frequently. Evaluate how they are doing. If it is hot day and they Staying Hydrated: It is usually
seem flushed -- or if they seem unduly tired -- have them they take a brief break. a warm day. Students are
If they need to rest, have them visit our Teacher Time Booth and do an activity. provided the opportunity to drink
water each time they go around
the route (a free cup each lap).
The Check-In Process Begins at 8:15 am Please be sure and encourage
your child to stay hydrated!
Bring your signed Pledge Card – It is required in order to earn prizes!
NO PETS are allowed at
Registration & Lap Card: Upon registering, students will receive their Lap Card, Booksin School on Walkathon
which they must protect and maintain for the rest of the day! The Lap Card is (or on any other day ever).
worn around the neck and used to log laps/miles and incentives. If it is lost, it
cannot be replaced (and the record of miles walked is also gone forever). No bicycles, scooters,
skateboards, shoes with wheels
After registering, take your Lap Card to the T-shirt Booth to get your shirt! or other similar items will be
allowed on campus during
After each lap your student completes, be sure they stop to get their Lap Card Walkathon.
punched in recognition. In addition, after each mile completed, students may
choose to stop to get an additional per-mile award that they can display proudly. Lost and Found: Lost and
found is located at the volunteer
When your student is finished walking for the day, turn in your Lap Card at the desk. After Walkathon,
Prize Booth, and collect the Incentive Prizes your student has earned. remaining items will be turned
into the school’s Lost and Found
bins.
Sports League Participants
If your child participates in an athletic sports activity, please visit our "Sports
Desk" to store your Lap Card and to receive a 5-mile credit for the activity. Rules
are explained later in this Guide, and are non-negotiable.
Booksin's AMAZING RACE WALKATHON GUIDE - p4

Ways You Can Help

Volunteer Opportunities
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to make Walkathon Day run smoothly! The easiest way to sign up for a 2-hour
volunteer shift is to visit our website, www.BooksinWalkathon.com. Click the green VolunteerSpot button at the top of the
page. You can also fill out the volunteer form sent home in your student's folder or visit Booksin's office for a form.

Fundraising Activities at Walkathon Donations

When families donate items to
Come to Walkathon ready to buy your holiday gifts. Come to it ready to eat great BESCA, it dramatically reduces
food. All the money goes back to student enrichment programs. our expenses for this fundraiser.

Bring cash or a checkbook to Walkathon. Only Auction will take credit cards
Water & Sports Drinks
and even there, we strongly urge you to write a check for whatever you win.
Why? The credit-card company charges us a transaction free up to 3% for every
To keep our Walkers hydrated
purchase. We'd rather that money go to the school.
and happy on Walkathon Day,
we accept drink donations from
Food Booths families in advance.

Various food items will be available for sale at Walkathon, including BBQ hot Drop off bottled water, sports
dogs and sausages, awesome salads, ice cream, pretzels and nachos, burritos drinks (Gatorade, PowerAid,
and tamales, breakfast goodies, drinks and coffee. Our Food Booths do not take etc), and sodas at the Main
cash, so you must purchase tickets before buying. Ticket value is $1 each; Most Office or with volunteers in the
food items are $2-6 dollars each. Tickets will be on sale on campus a few days morning drop-off circle.
before Walkathon (to avoid the rush), and at the event on Saturday.
Equipment Loans
Crazy Hair
Tents & Canopies
Students (and parents too!) can take a brief rest from walking and have their hair Extension Cords
done up all CRAZY. Everyone is welcome to partake, and the cost is $5 for
Crazy Hair and $1 for tattoos. Please purchase your tickets at the ticket booth. To keep everyone well shaded
on Walkathon Day, we are
asking to borrow any pop-up
Teacher Time! ... New for 2009! shades, canopies or umbrellas
w/stands that you may have.
A new twist on a longtime favorite! Instead of putting teachers in timeout,
students can spend time with their teacher doing a fun activity. We'll have lots of Please label tents, bags, and
exciting "challenges" you can do with your teacher on Saturday. Look for your cords with duct tape and your
favorite teacher's "menu" on Saturday to participate in this unique fundraiser! family name. They will be
returned after the event. Leave
them in Rm7 after October 7.
Amazing Race Market Place
Grade-Level Baskets, Teacher Fun Drawing, Amazing Experiences (a.k.a. "Buy It Decorations
Now"), Market Bazaar, Food Court, and more!
To help decorate Booksin
School for Walkathon, we need
Silent Auction donated and loaned items:

Take time to browse the Silent Auction on Saturday for an incredible array of cool Refrigerator cardboard, old
items. There are a wide variety of items at various price points. Cash, checks and shoes, model toy airplanes,
Visa or Mastercard are accepted. ... Think Christmas and Holiday Gifts! ... actual boats (canoes, kayaks,
Birthdays, too! etc).
Booksin's AMAZING RACE WALKATHON GUIDE - p5

Prizes, Parties, and Incentives

The Prize Committee has chosen some great things this year to provide incentives for students to walk and to recognize
everyone who participates! Students earn three types of prizes on Walkathon Day, and can qualify for additional awards
presented in the weeks after Walkathon.

All of our Incentive Prizes are chosen for their value to our kids and in relationship to the achievement. All Booksin
students with a minimum of $15.00 in pledges are eligible to win the following prizes and awards.

Per-Mile Tokens & Treats Take-Home Prizes

During the walking day, "instant prizes" are handed out on the field course or
can be picked up anytime during the day.
Booksin Passport
For each mile your student
completes, they receive a special
passport sticker to display in
celebration of their mounting
accomplishment.
We have designed a "Passport" for
every student to use on Walkathon
Day. After each mile walked,
students get a new, unique sticker
from a different international city to
go on their Passport.
Food Treats & Water
To provide energy and rest, we also
give away treats when students
reach various mile markers:
3 FREE Water or Soda
8 Hot Dog from BBQ Booth
12 Frozen Treat
14 Pretzel
Collect your food and drink items
form the booth that sells each item.
Many of the more exciting incentive
prizes are available after your child
completes walking for the day.
5 Bulldog Paw Print Key Fob
10 Inflatable Jet Airplane
15 USA Basketball
20 Plush Iguana on a Leash
25 Booksin Duffel Bag
"Take-Home Prizes" are awarded
at the end of the day, and are
distributed when your child turns in
the Lap Card for good.

Special Honors
Top Club Most Miles Walked (by Grade):
Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for
To honor the walkers who have made outstanding achievements in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
fundraising and distance walking, we host a "Top Club Party" in December,
where honorees will receive a special celebration at school just for them. Most Money Earned (Top Ten):
Gold, Silver, Bronze (3rd-10th)
Only students who submit collected pledge money by October 26 will be medals for the top dollar amounts.
eligible for Top Club. Even if your student walks enough miles, money must
be submitted by the deadline to qualify. Most Miles (Class): Movie Party for
classes that walk the most miles at
Students can achieve "Top Club Status" by walking a minimum number of each grade level.
miles (with money submitted on time) OR raising a minimum of $150, all
submitted before October 26: Most Money Earned (Class): Pizza
Party for the class that brings in the
Kindergarten & First Grade - 10 miles walked or $150 raised. most money (pro-rata per student)
Second & Third Grade - 12 miles walked or $150 raised.
Fourth & Fifth Grade – 15 miles walked or $150 raised. 100% Participation (Class): Special
prize for ALL classes that have full,
Pledge donations and collected money must be turned in by October 26 100% participation of all students
to receive "Top Club" status. walking or submitting pledge money.
Booksin's AMAZING RACE WALKATHON GUIDE - p6

Important Rules & Regulations

Sports Desk
Students receive one 5-mile credit for participating in scheduled sports events on Walkathon Day.

The purpose of the Walkathon Sports Desk is to track sports-related activity and award a 5-mile sport credit to
participating students during Walkathon hours. There is no partial credit for shorter sporting events or extra credits for
longer events. And there can be no negotiation.

Parent or Adult MUST be present to receive a sports credit. Sports Desk hours are 9 am to 4 pm

How Does It Work? Students who leave in the middle of Walkathon for a game should report to the Sports Desk with a
parent before they leave the school for the event. At that time their Lap Card will be recorded and retained (and not
returned back for at least an hour). When students return to Walkathon after their game, they must first go to the Sports
Desk with a parent to get their Lap Card back ... Then they can continue walking!

Early Game? Students who have an early game and are arriving at Walkathon for the first time, please report to the
Registration Desk first to get a Lap Card. Then go to the Sports Desk to have the Lap Card punched.

Late Game? Some students have a late game. When they depart campus, they don't come back. Unclaimed Lap Cards
left at Sports Desk will be taken to the Prize Booth at the end of Walkathon, where the miles will be tallied.

The "Sports Credit" applies only to a physical sport. It was designed to offset the physical strain on students who walk and
attend a physical sports activity on Walkathon Day. No accommodation or adjustment can be made for travel time to and
from an off-campus event.

Examples of eligible sports activities: Soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, baseball, football, tennis, ice skating,
ballet/dance, gymnastics, swimming, karate.

Examples of non-eligible activities: Scouts, robotics, drama rehearsal, choir, church, chess, and all other non-physical
activities.

Integrity of the Walkathon

The Walkathon route is one-third of a mile and will be clearly marked with fencing and boundaries. Everyone must
complete a full lap to receive a punch on his or her Lap Card. The lap punching area will be monitored, as will the entire
route at all times. Walkers may not be carried around the route.

The integrity of the Lap Card must be maintained to ensure a walker receives credit, prizes and awards. Students are
responsible for their own Lap Cards. Please do not tear, rip, or write on Lap Cards. Return lost Lap Cards to the DJ Booth.

Students, alumni, families, staff, volunteers and all participants are expected to act in a manner that is respectful to all
other participants at all times.

Consequences of Cheating
The efforts, enthusiasm and pride of accomplishment spent on Booksin School and the Walkathon are clearly
phenomenal. Any breakdown in the integrity of participants at this event impacts all the students and their achievement.

We are proud of our students and know they are excited to participate and be successful. Please understand that
individual and class honors are compromised when an individual attempts to inflate their own (or their child’s)
achievement. Parents and all students must consider their behavior and understand the larger impact to the community.