 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Pete Saccone
 Bookmark by BrittanyI believe that my previous messages have given you a good idea as to what the It's "Funner" to be a Runner program is all about. Once again, the bottom line is simple. It's "Funner" to be a Runner helps youngsters become physically, academically, socially and emotionally fit, while, at the same time, helps children EARN positive self-esteem. Just before school let out, I asked my class of 34 students to write a letter to the person who will be sitting in his/her seat in late August. Please enjoy bits of some of what the kids wrote. "Mr. Saccone is not only a teacher; he also has a running program called It's "Funner" to be a Runner. The running program has helped me be better at other sports. When I was in his class I ran 964 miles as I did 5 to 6 miles each school day." "Mr. Saccone's class is fun, especially the running. O.K., it's not that fun, but it's healthy. Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Remember one thing, do your best at everything." "You're going to love Mr. Saccone's class. I sure did! It was fun. When he does mental math, he gives hard ones. You're going to enjoy running. It makes you physically fit. After running, you will get nice nutritious snacks. When you hear bad rumors about Mr. Saccone, don't believe them"  Bookmark by Michael"Mr. Saccone is a very good teacher, but he is very strict. In the beginning of the year, you will walk for a couple of weeks. After that, you will begin the running. You'll probably be on the television news during the year." "You will hear a lot of scary stories about Mr. Saccone, but they are not true. The running is actually a lot of fun. The running becomes a habit. I admit that it is hard, but you will be proud of yourself after each run." "I was in Mr. Saccone's class last year. I sat in your seat. I had a great time. You might think that you're going to have a dreadful year because of the running, but you're not. Running was a great experience for me. You will start to like the running after a while. That's why you should not listen to all the horror stories that you hear. When someone tells you we run all day, don't believe it. We actually spend most of the day in the classroom." "Mr. Saccone does not MAKE us run. Even though we have no option, he just gives us the opportunity to run---there is a difference. I ran just under 1,000 miles this year." "Mr. Saccone's class is wonderful. You will learn a lot---the running helps a lot. The running is hard at first, but you get used to it in a few weeks." "You probably heard a lot of bad things about Mr. Saccone's class. I want to tell you that none of it's true. He is funny, nice and strict. He gets upset when the room is messy or when you don't try your hardest at everything we do in class."  Bookmark by Scott"You will be sitting in my seat. You have a good view of the white board. I'm telling you now not to keep a messy desk---he does not like messes. Also, try your best at everything. You will do a lot of writing and math in this class. The running will help you a lot." "You are now in the It's "Funner" to be a Runner program. You will have fun timing laps and miles. Mr. Saccone doesn't care if you do badly on a test. He just wants you to try your best." "I thought the first day of school in Mr. Saccone's class would be the worst ever! But it wasn't. You can't goof off in his class. Don't talk when you're not supposed too, look at him when he is talking to you and don't give dumb excuses about not doing your homework. The running will be fun. You'll be fine if you try your best at all times." "Don't try to get out of Mr. Saccone's class because the running and other things that you will do will turn your life around. It will help you make the right decisions. Mr. Saccone expcts a lot from you, so try your hardest." "I sat in your seat last year. I had a great time. Mr. Saccone changed me from a loud big mouthed boy to a good everyday guy. Be prepared girls; Mr. Saccone will tease you a lot!" "You may think that Mr. Saccone is hard and mean, but he is an awesome teacher. Be sure to behave yourself in this class."  Bookmark by Steven"I am moving to the 6th grade. I want you to replace me. Mr. Saccone is a wonderful teacher. He likes to fool around with you. About the running, all you have to do is try your best. He does not care about how fast you run." "Last year I was in your position. I was in this class. Mr. Saccone might appear to be stern and mean, but there is no reason to be afraid of him. He is very funny. (If you don't know what I mean, you will find out soon). Mr. Saccone looks for people who try very hard. For example, when you get timed for a mile, (once a month), just do your best. He will think your time is great if he knows you tried your best. It's the same with math and other tests." "Running isn't hard. In the beginning, you will walk 7 laps (2 miles) in 35 minutes. After a couple of weeks, you will begin the running ---it is cool!" "I hope you have a lot of fun in this class. We had a lot of fun running and learning. I hope you learn to enjoy the running, because from this day until the end of the year, you will be running. I really enjoyed all the running we did. I ran 1,017 miles on our huge dirt field. I hope you do the best you can, as I did. In this class, we learned many interesting facts about life. I learned that how well or how poorly you do in school will help determine how well or how poorly you do in life. Try your hardest; that's all that counts!!" I hope these excerpts from the letters to my next year's group of kids gives you an idea as to how the It's "Funner" to be a Runner program helps create kids who are physically, academically, socially and emotionally fit----kids with a lot of positive self-esteem. LINKS: Email address -saccone@gwise.cajon.k12.ca.us More from Pete Saccone - PETE'S COLUMN ON KR Pete Saccone The most important thing to remember is that It's "Funner" to be a Runner!!!!  by Carlye, 11 years old..."Running with Mr. Brant" (John Brant, author of "A" for Effort, September 2000, Runner's World) |
Please email carol.kids@rodale.com with comments on this column.
