Hello Kids Marathon Friends,

December is a season of giving. One important lesson learned from the events of April 19th, 1995, is that the best gift one can give to aid in healing and restore hope is a gift sent straight from the heart. So many selflessly gave of themselves to help our community rebuild after such terrible loss. As a result, we are a proud example of strength and resiliency.

This time of year, it is important for kids to realize that they can make a difference in someone's life with a seemingly small act of kindness. There are two books that I would recommend to help kids understand this concept.

The first is Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler written by Margery Cuyler. After reading the book, encourage students to write about the acts of kindness they have performed on heart shaped paper cut outs. Post these hearts on a wall of the classroom and challenge your students to fill the wall during the month of December with examples of nice things they have done. These can also be shared and discussed at class meetings.

The second book I would recommend is Have You Filled A Bucket Today? written by Carol Mc Cloud. After reading the book, have students create their own bucket to keep on their desk. Each morning, have students draw the name of another student in the class. Tell the students to keep their "secret friend" a secret all day, but to watch them carefully and journal about the great things they notice that they did throughout the day. Before dismissal, have each student write a nice note to their "secret friend" that would "fill their bucket," or make them feel good about themselves. The note may congratulate them on the winning goal in the soccer game, or praise them for how well they solved a problem in math. Students deliver their notes to their secret friend's bucket revealing themselves. Allow the students to read their notes and enjoy the gift of friendship!

Please check out the link on our website about this year's 1st annual POSTER CONTEST! This is an easy and creative way for your students to express what their Kids Marathon training means to them.

Click here for more information.

December School Focus: TEAM REGISTRATION

Registration opened on September 3rd. In order to create your school team for 2013, please do the following:

1. Download and read the 2013 School Team Welcome Packet from our website (www.okcmarathon.com). Also, please read the other important information on our website. Some information is new!
2. Get approval from your administrator.
3. When you are ready to create your team, email SHANDA (kids@okcmarathon.com). Tell her your name, your school, your city and that you are the team captain for your school – one captain per school please. This includes past team captains!
4. As a reply to your email, you will receive directions for creating your school team online via a private link. ***Everyone must do this! All teams from last year have been cleared and a new school team must be created for your school!
5. Decide how you want your participates to register (self register and pay online individually or team captain registers participants and pays later via an emailed invoice). If necessary, you can use both methods of registration in combination. EVERYONE MUST CHOOSE YOUR SCHOOL FROM THE DROP DOWN MENU TO BE ON YOUR TEAM!
6. Send out a parent/staff letter (suggestion available in the Welcome Packet).
7. Start registering! Make sure participants who self register bring you a copy of their confirmation (adults and kids). Keep for your records.
8. ***Please note – the deadline for any adult or child to register as part of a school team is April 1st! Any adult or child who registers after April 1st can run, but will not be included in the school team packet pick up and will not be included in the totals for the prizes.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Please send me information on programs your school uses for training for the Kids Marathon. We want to see how you reward, encourage, and teach your kids! Let's share our great ideas.
• If your school has students who may need financial assistance to participate in the Kids Marathon, please let me know.

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, I'd be happy to talk to you! Again, thank you for all you do as a team captain to make our kids marathon special.

Shanda Bandi, MEd., NSCA-CPT
Kids Marathon School Coordinator
kids@okcmarathon.com