Climbing to Success

I decided at the end of last school year that I was bound and determined to get a traverse climbing wall for our gym.  I went to our PTA and they were PUMPED about the idea.  They were so generous and promised to pay a good portion of the cost.  I told them I would apply for a grant and organize a fundraiser.  Unfortunately, we did not receive the grant (BOO!), but we did have an awesome school-wide fundraiser.  My fellow encore teachers were a great help and the community raised almost $3000.  WOW!!! 

Our fundraiser was called "Walk for a Wall: Walk-a-Thon".  All grades participated during their forty-five minute encore class.  Our Title I program joined in and helped tremendously.  Here is a look at our first note home.  We also sent home a collection sheet and envelope.

The students that brought back their envelopes with donations were entered into a drawing that took place the day of the Walk-A-Thon.  Our awesome parents sent in small prizes and the athletic teams at our feeder high school sent tons of cool shirts, towels, and hats.  Parents and family members were invited to walk with their child.  Including teachers, parents, and guests, we had over 100 adults participating in the event!

As a thank you, the Everlast Climbing Industries, sent us small buttons that we were able to give to every child that donated.  I was surprised at how many kiddos wore them the next day!  Super cool!  I also included a list of the students that brought in donations in the school newsletter.

UGH!!!  I am so frustrated that I didn't catch the typos in this card until 5 months after sending them out!!!  

My dad (a retired PE teacher) and a fellow retiree installed the wall.  It took two days.  Not including the panels, there were 22 boxes of material.  The kids really enjoyed watching the process of putting it up.  

Sorry, it is so fuzzy!

So, here are the details of our wall:

• Traverse Magna-Wall (which means it has a magnetic component that we can us) 
• Height: 9 feet
• Length:  36 feet (typically 40 feet, but our wall wasn't long enough)

We also purchased:

• The Challenge Course
• The Startfit System
• Character Holds

Here are some pictures of the wall.

Here is a picture of our four CHARACTER HOLDS

It has been an awesome addition to our school and to our PE program.  The PTA will be using it at the Spring Carnival.  The parents are going to LOVE it!!