Sequim School District shapes up

Published 5:26 pm Wednesday, March 19, 2014

by AMANDA WINTERS

Sequim Gazette

Sequim School District employees are “Sequimming” their way across America through a fitness challenge organized by three active teachers.

Megan Thompson, a physical education teacher at Helen Haller Elementary School, was asked if she’d be interested in organizing an effort to get district employees to increase their fitness level.

Thompson said “Sequimming Across America” has more than 100 district employees involved in running, bicycling, swimming, walking and other physical exercises with the goal of collectively adding together enough miles of exercise to reach Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The trip is only a “virtual” trip; they won’t actually be going to Disney World, the activity flier points out.

Each district building has a representative to keep track of the number of miles exercised. Every two weeks totals are compared and the building with the highest wins a healthy snack basket and a trophy, first-grade teacher Ione Marcy said.

Sequim High School employees, coordinated through Wendy Turner, are winning so far, Marcy said.

“People are getting competitive now,” Thompson said. “It’s fun.”

Since May is “Bike to Work Month,” an emphasis will be placed on biking, Marcy said.

Participants also pick a goal of participating in the 10k, half-marathon or full-marathon of the North Olympic Discovery Trail marathon in June.

The activity is funded by the Sequim Education Foundation and the district’s health insurance provider, Thompson said.

Sequimming Across America will continue through June and Thompson hopes to bring it back next year.

Reach Amanda Winters at awinters@sequimgazette.com.