“I know I’m fast, but Shayden is a little faster,” second-grader Kaden explained while eating his lunch. His Lunch Bunch was discussing the upcoming Ninja Warrior Challenge: an annual field day fundraising event for Pagosa Peak Open School where students strap on headbands and tennis shoes, and run an intense obstacle course for their best time.
This was the first year PPOS students went off-campus for the event. Parent and staff volunteers collected materials from the school and from CrossFit Pagosa, setting up the course at Yamaguchi Park Thursday, May 12. All students grades K-8 were shuttled to the park, after raising $ $10,605 for their school with online donations. Students now had the chance to run the course for prizes and fun.
“This event was a great way to get our students outside and promote our school values of Whole and Healthy Humans and Community,” PPOS School Director Angela Reali-Crossland said. “At PPOS we believe we are at our best when we are supported socially, emotionally, mentally and physically. Today our students were provided the opportunity to be active and connect with each other in our community. We are grateful to our PPOS PTA; especially Abbie Karas, for organizing this day.”
Karas designed the course, organized volunteers and managed the communication for fundraising.
“It was a great way to get involved and support the school while having fun with the kids,” Karas said. “We are grateful to Crossfit Pagosa for letting us borrow equipment to make it a real challenge for everyone participating.”
Pagosa Peak Open School is a tuition-free public school open to all Archuleta County families. The educational model is built upon Project-Based Learning, a student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic classroom approach, through which students can acquire a deeper understanding through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems. Students in all classes at PPOS engage in multiple projects throughout the year… looking for ways to influence their own community, and create positive change.
Emily Murphy serves as Assistant Director at Pagosa Peak Open School, the first District-authorized charter school in Archuleta County, working with students and staff on curriculum, assessment, instructional strategies and restorative practices.