How Atlanta Track Club Maximizes Their Community Reach

Run clubs are advantageous for everyone involved—parents, teachers, kids, etc. 

There are so many benefits:

• Goal setting
• Habit formation 
• Increased physical activity 
• Fun

And these are just a few of them! Starting a run club because of these benefits is a no-brainer, but if you find yourself without the right tools, it can get a bit tricky – especially if you’re organizing run clubs for a whole community of people.

One way to organize your run club that makes all this much simpler is to use technology to manage, report, and track the data from your club. Our EZ Scan® app is the best tool that makes this easier at any given site or even across a whole community. EZ Scan helps you step back and see the bigger picture.

The EZ Scan “Community” feature provides a place for community leaders to track progress across any number of run club sites (be that schools, Y’s, clubs, or community events). Tracking progress helps ensure that all those parents, teachers, and kids involved are successful with their goals.

One example of a successful EZ Scan community using this feature is the Atlanta Track Club. Originally, Atlanta Track Club started with just 7 locations in the greater Atlanta area, but in a few short years, that number has worked up to 56! Keeping track of mileage for that many locations could be difficult, but with the EZ Scan app, tracking the entire Atlanta Track Club’s community miles is as simple as clicking a button. During the 2021-2022 school year, Atlanta Track Club recorded over 20,000 miles, averaging a whopping 20 miles per child across each of their locations.

As mentioned before, EZ Scan also provides progress reports for individual schools or locations. One such example is Kilometer Kids, the free running program for K-8 kids. Though Kilometer Kids is a part of the Atlanta Track Club community, each Kilometer Kids location individually tracks participants’ laps and helps them set their own goals. They were able to see if each child in their program ran 26.2 miles—the length of a marathon—over their 10-week season.

“Using Fitness Finders’ EZ Scan mileage tracking technology has been a great asset,” said Madison Hafitz, the program manager for Atlanta Track Club’s Kilometer Kids. “EZ Scan allows our coaches to easily track mileage so they can be sure to hand out mileage-based incentives to the kids when they reach their 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full-marathon goals.”
 

The Truth About the Powerful Impact of Teachers

We all want to make a difference for our community and our children. That’s why we teach, lead, and coach—be that in the classroom, on the stage, or on the field.

As educators, we create opportunities for our kids. We make space for them to use their creativity to express themselves or challenge them to learn new ideas and new ways of thinking. 

We encourage them with “Yes you can!” and “Keep going, you’re doing great!” as they try harder, learn to self-regulate, breakthrough their glass ceilings, and gain more confidence.

And it is in those moments- you make a difference. And let me emphasize that point.  You DO make a difference!

Creating Opportunities is Making a Difference

You made a positive impact when you opened doors for them that they would have otherwise walked past, missing the chance to feel supported and gain confidence in newfound skills. 

“The average child in our nation spends about 6.64 hours at school, every day for 180 days a year.” 

Did you know the average child in our nation spends about 6.64 hours at school every day for 180 days a year? That equates to kids being at school with us for about half of the calendar year. This is not counting after-school care or extracurricular activities!

For this reason, you are one of the people who have the opportunity to open new doors for our kids. To create new environments, help them experience new territories, and encourage growth; where they are, they can succeed and overcome challenges.

A Real-Life Story of a Man Who Is Accomplishing Great Things

Nathan Martin is a man most of you don’t know, but he has accomplished great things and is right here in Jackson, MI. Nathan finished eighth at the NYC Marathon this year.  But two years ago, he did even more. 

According to a Runner’s World article featuring Martin, Nathan crossed the finish line of the 2020 Marathon Project in 2:11:05. Not only did he improve on his 2:14:34 personal best at the COVID-adjusted race in Chandler, Arizona, but it is at this race where he became the fastest U.S.-born African American marathoner in history. 

“Being able to use the record to either impact kids or give somebody some person to look at and say, "Hey, he's achieved that. I can too,”

"The outreach of people congratulating me or saying how awesome they thought it was that I broke the record, I'm like, WOW, maybe I'm not thinking about things correctly. Maybe I need to really figure out what this record means to me," Martin told Runner's World. "Being able to use the record to either impact kids or give somebody some person to look at and say, "Hey, he's achieved that. I can too," was really awesome... Hopefully, I can continue to be someone who can inspire people". 

How an Opportunity at School Changed His Life

In middle school, after running a required timed mile, a coach suggested that Nathan go out for the cross-country team. 

This is the kind of thing coaches do every day at school. Teachers of all stripes encourage children to pursue or try something they show some interest and aptitude for. That simple comment made a difference in the trajectory of Nathan’s life.

Nathan feels blessed by the opportunities running has provided for him. You might think that winning the Olympics would be his biggest goal, but his greatest desire is to help the kids he coaches at the local high school become better runners and better people. 

How A New Trajectory is Changing a Community

Nathan is now the one creating opportunities for students as a coach and substitute teacher.  His knowledge and skills make him an inspiration to his team and a great resource.  His attitude, compassion, and empathy make him a leader that kids want to follow.  

The full impact of his presence in the Jackson District Schools is not known yet, but it is certainly noticed by parents and administrators who are paying attention.  More importantly, it is noticed by the students. Their lives will be affected by this coach and teacher, Nathan Martin, in big or small ways.

How You Make a Difference

Nathan’s story reminds us of the power of people and the impact of intentional connection and care. Who can measure the value of creating a new friend, finding a special interest, or overcoming fear by trying something that seems difficult?  The opportunity to grow is presented daily.

Successful goal completion is one way you provide opportunities that build confidence and teach patience.  It all starts with presenting new doors to them, encouraging them to step forward through the ones that excite them and try the ones they are uncertain about. 

So continue to create opportunities and encourage kids to participate. Make it fun, make it challenging. Reach out and suggest new options for their sake. It makes all the difference.

A Reading Teachers' Motivational Tool

An Interview with Tina Slater, a Special Education Teacher

Name: Tina Slater

Position Title: Special Education Teacher

Grades: Fourth and Fifth Grades

School Name: Onsted Elementary School

Years Teaching: 27 years

Current Subjects: Reading, Math and Writing

How do you use tokens from Fitness Finders in your reading classroom?

In my reading resource classroom, students are awarded tokens after reading a leveled chapter book. Students are reading their chapter book for 10-15 minutes each day so it can take 8-12 days to complete a book. During reading, the student and I talk about the text and I listen to them read. When the book is complete, we meet to talk about the book and their reading success. During this time I present a token to commemorate their accomplishment. 

 

How do you choose which tokens to use?

When selecting the token to award, I try to match the token with the book the student has just completed. I have a variety of animals and objects to choose from. 

When students completed a book about Knights, I awarded them a key and a compass — which were two important objects from the Knights' Quest. They were thrilled! Sometimes it can be more difficult to make a match - in those cases, I may use the question mark token and make a connection with the predictions students made during reading or their use of expression when reading aloud. 

 

How do you distribute tokens?

Tokens are presented by me to students in a private ceremony. I actually make a big deal when presenting the token and make a mini-speech calling out the achievements the students made while reading the book and making connections between their reading success and the token. 

I am conferencing (video) with the student, but I am aware that others (family members) are listening. I try to call out as many positive reading behaviors as possible.

 

How do students display their tokens?

Students wear their tokens on lanyards during reading class (the laces from Fitness Finders). Each student selected their lanyard and the links (Lacelink) from the variety of colors and patterns Fitness Finders offers. 

When students aren’t wearing their necklaces they are displayed on hooks near our bookshelves. 

 

 

 Do you have a favorite token? 

I love all of the Animals! Our school mascot is the wildcat — so all of the cats and paws are a hit with my students. 

 

 How has this changed your classroom environment or impacted student motivation? 

Rewarding tokens has brought a bit more fun and provided a visual that represents student success.  I love it when I hear a student say, 

“I can’t believe I have read this much,” as they are putting on their necklace before class.

 

Can you share any stories or quotes from students while using tokens in your class?   

5th grader Emma said, 

“When we get rewarded with tokens, it just makes us want to read more and work harder. It makes everything more fun!”

 

Do you have any plans specifically for reading month?

During Reading Month, students will be earning double tokens and we will be celebrating Wildcats Read with drawings for extra tokens. I’ll also be taking pictures of students reading while wearing their token necklaces to send home with their progress reports in mid-March.

 

❄️Treat Your Students To Their Own Run Through the Snow! ❄️

In honor of our  "Race With The Sled Dogs Program", we asked Coach White from Orion Elementary in Anchorage, what it’s like to operate a run club for students in Alaska. Here is what she said...

Do students run outside in the snow or inside the school?

We run outside in the snow. Getting fresh air is important, especially during the long, cold, dark winter months. On Dec 21st, Winter Solstice, which is the shortest day of the year, we typically only have 6 hours of daylight here in Anchorage. The sun doesn't rise until about 10am and sets by 4pm. Further north in the Arctic Circle, they have several weeks where the sun doesn't rise above the horizon at all!

How cold does it get? 

I've seen it as cold as -20 here in Anchorage. Further north in Fairbanks it is common for it to reach -40 in the winter. Our typical winter temp is about 20 degrees for a high and in the teens or single digits overnight.

Do you use EZ Scan to scan laps? Does the tablet work when it is really cold outside? 

Yes, we use EZ Scan to keep track of our mileage during the running season. We keep our iPads inside the entryway in the window sill facing out so that kids can scan through the window after each lap and the iPads stay nice and warm!"

Interview Date: 2019

 

2020 Mileage Club hits 250,000 miles!

Listen to Amy Nieuwenhuis (Teacher and Mileage Club Leader) tell us about her Mileage Club reaching a huge Milestone.

Developing a Reward System for Her Dyslexia Treatment Plan - Fitness Finders Charms

An Interview with a Dyslexia Therapist

How a Visual Reminder of Their Accomplishments Keeps Her Students Motivated

An Interview with a Second Grade Teacher and Run Club Leader

Motivating Students to Do Their Very Best Every Day - Mileage Club

An Interview with PE Instructors from Shady Hill Elementary in Florida 

Mileage Club: Kilometre Club Spotlight

Mileage Club® is the #1 Run Club for kids in North America. But have you ever wondered how our Canadian neighbors, who use the metric system, run a Mileage Club? We talked to Claudine Lukawesky in Toronto, Ontario who was happy to share information about her school’s Kilometer Club (KC)!




"Kilometer Club was started at our school, Northlea EMS, approximately 10 years ago! It started as a pre-practice to help students prepare for Track & Field tryouts but quickly became a Club for any child. Our school has approximately 800 students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8. It is French Immersion, English, and Developmentally Delayed tracked."




"KC is run solely with parent and student volunteers, although we have staff members present for liability reasons. We only purchase our goods through Fitness Finders® due to safety reasons – we like that you make your products with no lead in the chains or plastic charms and that you now offer the safe LaceLink™ Lanyards."




"We always start KC on a Wednesday so we can make reminder announcements on Monday and Tuesday. (Many people would forget if we started on a Monday. 😊) KC “runs” for 13 mornings from 8-8:30, always ending on a Friday."




"Students are encouraged to run, walk, hop – we’ve even had kids in wheelchairs being pushed – around our 200-meter track. Every time they go around the track, they receive a popsicle stick. When I ring my cowbell at 8:30, students finish the lap they’re on and head to the “Attendance Table” where we record their number of sticks under their classroom teacher’s name. We do this for two reasons: to track the number of kilometers and to track KC attendance. At the end of the 13 days, the class with the most attendance wins a pizza lunch!"




"After the Attendance Table, students head over to the “Charm Table,” and pick out one charm for their bracelet. It doesn’t matter how many laps they’ve completed, all the children receive one charm per day of participation. This is done because we want ALL kids to participate and feel equal. Not everyone is an elite athlete, but at Kilometer Club you are treated like an athlete! We are just so proud of the effort from all the kids and want to focus on that instead of making it all about competition. Although, we do still encourage competition within yourself – and to get your class to participate to win the pizza lunch!"




"I have had so many parents thank me because of how our program has made their child feel included. Knowing that one charm is given out per day of participation, and not by number of laps, makes children feel so special that they are happy to come out for exercise. We have had kids with anxiety issues, and doing Kilometer Club before school helps them feel more relaxed. Children with ADD/ADHD burn off some extra energy so they can focus better in class."




"I'm going into my 10th year of Kilometer Club, and each year it is an honor to have kids in the neighborhood see me and come thank me for doing this program that they look forward to every year! The benefits of KC are that children are encouraging one another to participate; they are completing laps with friends; and, the older grades get to do a lot of the organizing and help out with the younger grades. Thanks to Fitness Finders for making safe products that encourage children to be active and do something!!"

Customer Profile - Betty Kern: Physical Education Teacher

Fitness Finders® Customer Profile: 

- Betty Kern, MS, CSCS

Ohio Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, 2017

"I teach Physical Education to 4th - 6th graders at 

Schrop Intermediate School in the Springfield Local School District just south of Akron, Ohio." 

What's Been a Highlight of Your Teaching Career?

"A highlight of my teaching career came just recently after being awarded the Ohio Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year.  My school had a surprise assembly for me. They decorated the gym with running shoes that the students had colored and written messages on.  In addition, our custodian made me a larger-than-life running woman for the gym.  Every student in the school also wrote me a letter...all 570 of them! These letters are so touching and demonstrate to me that the students learn and absorb so much more than I'd ever imagined.  At the assembly, 28 students read aloud their letters to me in front of the whole school. It was an amazing, moving moment and one that I will never forget!"

What's Your Favorite Teaching Tip?

"My favorite teaching tip is to remember that what you are teaching your students today could be brand new to them! It might be the first time they have ever experienced that topic, skill, activity, etc. Remember how hard it is to learn something new. Teach it to them as if they have never seen it before. Be patient and be willing to slow down and make sure everyone understands. The extra time will pay huge dividends!"

How Do You Use Fitness Finders® Products?

"Fitness Finders® Awards are used in our Running Clubs throughout the year. Students earn a Sneaker for every 50 points they earn and every 5 miles they run during a running club season. Each week students look forward to receiving their awards! Many students ask to run extra laps to earn extra points so ultimately they can earn extra Sneaker Awards!

The 1st, 2nd, & 3rd charms are also used for grade awards at the club races. Fitness Finders® Awards are also used at our "all school" races held during the school day. If a student improves his/her mile time, then an award is given. 

For example, Turkey Awards are used for the Turkey Trot, Snowflake Awards for the Winter Fun Run, etc. One child last year said that was the first award he'd ever earned in school! He was so excited!  

Fitness Finders® Walker Awards are used in Morning Walking Club when students reach various mile levels.  

Lastly, we use the EZ Scan® App for our walking club and for our upcoming Mile Tracker Challenge."

Fitness Finders® appreciates Betty Kern's support and commitment to excellence.

Running Beyond Their Challenges: Spencer and Eli Pardee Story

Spencer and Eli Pardee are adopted brothers from Guatemala, currently living in a small Michigan town. Spencer, now 13, and Eli, 11, were each adopted at 8 months of age. Both boys have overcome substantial physical challenges. Their mother, Dr. Terri Pardee, credits Mileage Club®, combined with a quality physical education program, with a good deal of their success.

Dr. Pardee (Terri), a Professor of Psychology at Spring Arbor University, is particularly interested in Childhood Development including high-functioning autism, the effects of trauma on children, and physiological psychology. 

Terri explains that the brain stem of a child develops from the bottom up. When progressive physical activity is not available to children, their brain stem doesn’t develop in a typical fashion, often resulting in a delay of gross motor skills. Stunted brain stem development also affects the brain’s cognitive and emotional development. 

Adopted children often experience physical and psychological delays due to this lack of brain stem development. Constantly swaddling babies, which is a common practice in third-world countries because of environmental health concerns, can also limit opportunities to strengthen core muscles.  

Spencer and Eli both experienced gross motor skill delays. Terri recognized the importance of early intervention and enrolled the boys in the Jackson County ISD Lyle A. Torrant Center’s Early Childhood Program where they received Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Physical Therapy. These provided the boys with a great assessment of their abilities and challenges, as well as a foundation for improvement.

Spencer struggled with weak core muscles. As a first grader, he was unable to lie on his back and roll to his stomach. He also dealt with twisted tibias, which resulted in him being extremely pigeon-toed. Spencer wore leg braces as a young child and often tripped when he walked.

When Spencer entered 1^st grade, he met Physical Education teacher, Debbie Drake. Debbie taught Physical Education at Jackson Christian Elementary School for 17 years ending in 2016. She has also worked at Fitness Finders, Inc. since 1977, and helped develop and write the Mileage Club® program alongside company founders, Dr. Charles and Beth Kuntzleman.

Terri remembers telling Debbie, 

“My son has pretty significant gross motor delays. Spencer may not be able to run. He’s not being lazy, he just not physically able to.”

Unfazed, Debbie responded, “We can work with him.”

Terri noticed Spencer began growing stronger. Motor control was a challenge for him, but suddenly he was improving. Five years later, Spencer was running comfortably as a 5^th grader due in part to Mileage Club®. He earned awards in his Physical Education class for push-ups (which require strong core muscles), and he ultimately reached the top 10 in his 5th-grade class for physical fitness testing.

The Pardees offered Spencer a variety of opportunities to be active. They enrolled him as a young child in baseball and soccer, but he struggled with organized sports. Spencer has a reserved personality, and the sensory overload that accompanied many such activities made it difficult for him to master the physical skills necessary.

However, Mileage Club® was a perfect fit for Spencer. Mileage Club® gave Spencer a framework in which to practice running while encouraging him to improve his performance and meet goals – all while having fun!

“The kids had a ball with Mileage Club®,” Terri told us in our interview.

Now a middle schooler, Spencer has joined his school’s cross-country team and is thoroughly enjoying the experience. At his first cross-country meet, Terri felt nervous and asked Spencer if he was sure he could run that far. Spencer breezily replied, “Oh, yeah. We ran that far at lunch every day for Mileage Club®.”

Spencer’s younger brother Eli experienced similar physical challenges. In addition, Eli is currently prescribed some medications that can affect fitness levels and may cause weight gain. Terri is delighted that Eli has expressed the same enjoyment of running and Mileage Club® as his brother. Eli has completed two 5K races and is proud of his accomplishments in each.

Terri expresses gratitude for her sons’ early exposure to Mileage Club®, and the interest and joy in running that it helped cultivate in them. As the boys enter adolescence, running seems to help them manage their emotions.

“Running has made the boys physically healthier, provided them an outlet for stress, and has taught them fitness skills that they will be able to use throughout their entire lives.” 

- Terri Pardee