Friday, January 24, 2025
The Long Beach School District fundraises and holds events throughout each school year. The annual West Elementary School Turkey Trot is always a big event, but this year, it was taken to the next level.
The West School community this year has given back by raising funds for the West School PTA, with contributions from over 250 friends, family and community members, along with support from over 30 local business sponsors.
The money raised will not only go to program funding, but a portion will also be donated to the Long Beach Soup Kitchen — a cause that students have embraced by collecting food donations all month long. West School Principal Amy Dirolf said the school also held a food drive, which it typically does leading up to the annual turkey trot.
“We thought it was a good opportunity to make it a big fundraiser,” Jackie Signorelli, vice president of the PTA and parent of a kindergartner, said. “We wanted to give back to the community as well. So, as we’re raising money, we’re also sharing the wealth and making it about community and giving. It’s the time of year for being thankful.”
The annual trot was held on Monday, Nov. 25. During the race, each grade level gathered on the large playground at designated times and wore coordinated colors. West School’s fifth grade kicked off the day, going out bright and early at 9 a.m. The order that followed was second grade, fourth grade, pre-K, kindergarten, first grade and finished off by third grade. Parents and families were invited to cheer on their young students.
Each class had goals and incentives they could earn for their fundraising efforts. When a class hit $250, they could choose a prize from a list, including building a fort in class or bringing in stuffed animals. There was another goal of $550, and most classes hit that goal.
There were also school-wide goals for the fundraising. When they hit $1,000, the entire school got a pajama day. When the school hit the end total of $10,000, they get an extra recess.
The kindergarten class led the school in fundraising. When it was their turn to trot, they ran around the playground with big smiles.
“We took an event that was already exceptional,” Leigh Crane, a PTA member and pre-K parent, said, “and then tapped into every stakeholder possible; students, families, staff members, community members, to really weave in the cohesiveness that West as a school already has. It’s really engaging as much community as possible and giving. Everyone has a part to play here, to be generous and to be collaborative.”
