Elizabeth Bailey
As the nation gears up for this summer’s Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society, South Decatur Elementary school is joining in the cause.
From March 8 through 11, the school will focus on different areas of cancer prevention as they raise funds for the national organization. Throughout the week, students’ home rooms will compete against one another in Penny Wars, organized by the school’s chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society that is sponsored by Nancy Crabill. The classes can also try to knock out the competition by placing nickels, dimes or quarters in competing jugs that will subtract from the other class’ penny total. The student council, sponsored by Laura Johnson, will also be stationed at the Title 1 door each day until 8:20 a.m. selling suns and moons to honor or memorialize those whose lives have been touched by cancer. These will be 25 cents each and will be posted in the gym throughout the week.
On Monday, The school will kick off the week with a convocation featuring the South Decatur High School band at 8:30 a.m. The kick-off will focus on anti-tobacco education, featuring American Cancer Society representative Stephanie Strothmann. On Tuesday, the focus will shift to education on sun exposure and skin cancer, and Students may celebrate the day by wearing tropical or summer clothing as well as visors or baseball caps and sunglasses for 25 cents.
Wednesday will be Hoops for a Cure day, discussing the importance of exercise. During recess, Tracy Kroger and Tina Cunningham will paint pink ribbons on faces for 25 cents. At 2 p.m., the South Decatur High School Key Club will play a game of basketball against the sixth graders. Tickets to the event will be 25 cents and spirit clappers can be purchased for an additional 25 cents. Students may also sign up for half court, free throw or three point shot contests for 25 cents to compete for prizes.
On Thursday, the final day will focus on healthy eating, and the school invites students and staff to wear purple or pink in support of cancer survivors. Throughout the day, students will walk in 20-minute shifts for their Mini-Relay for Life. Closing ceremonies will cap the day at 2:15 p.m., and all community cancer survivors are invited to attend and join in for a survivor lap. At this time, the winning class in the Penny Wars will be announced, and Strothmann will rejoin the school. In addition, students will present what they learned about cancer prevention during the week, and survivors - including several staff members and third-grader Bridgett Taylor - will take time to offer testimonials.
