Superintendent of Perry Township Schools
Your 18 school buildings in Perry Township are utilized from sun up to sun down, almost seven days a week. A variety of events are held in those facilities, and this provides us the opportunity to showcase how well your buildings are being maintained.
For example, this community stepped forward many years ago to save a structure that is now known as the Perry Township Education Center, or PTEC. This building not only houses the administration but also two alumni offices and the Perry Township/Southport Historical Society.
In addition, organizations such as the Greater Southside Business Alliance and Perry Senior Services Center hold their board meetings here. All of these activities are held in conjunction with 240 preschoolers attending the PTEC.
Your facilities are utilized a great deal by the community, as they should be. Tax dollars made this possible, and we should make every effort to open them for organizations to use.
An example of one of those events is the fifth annual Coach Hathaway’s Running South, which is Saturday, Sept. 26, at Perry Stadium. This day of wellness is for all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. There will also be a health fair and a family forum.
The program is a tribute to the late Tom Hathaway, who taught and coached cross country and track in Perry Township Schools for 44 years, most of that time at Southport High.
“Coach Hathaway’s Running South is a fitting way to honor coach Hathaway while raising money for Perry Township students,” said event director Jason Wiesmann. “This fun event highlights Perry Township while encouraging an active lifestyle,”
The race is open to all abilities, both runners and walkers. The run/walk course includes a 10K, 5K and a 1-mile event. There is also a kiddie romp.
The event has brought a major focus on health to our faculty and student body. We have several running clubs in our schools that will participate. They will also make signs to encourage classmates, teachers and family members to train and run in the event.
Proceeds support the Perry Township Education Foundation in its mission to provide grants to teachers to develop innovative and creative instructional lessons. Since 1994 the foundation has awarded more than 1,000 grants.
Register at www.ptef.org/registration.html before Sept. 24 or from 7:30-8:30 a.m. before the event.
This is an exciting event for the entire community. My wife, Aina, and I will be walking; we hope to see you at our celebration of health.