Students raise money for supplies
Mountain Discover Charter School students, K-8, ran around the quarter mile “school loop,” up its 100-foot incline and back down, to raise money for instructional supplies Monday.
Last year, the Fund Run raised approximately $19,000.
Students had nearly two weeks to ask community members, friends and family to give a desired amount of money per lap.
Sectioned off by grade level, students were allotted 30 minutes to complete their laps. Zoey Lecureux, seventh grade, and Zane Ellersick, sixth grade, each ran 12 laps.
“I did it to support my school because our school needs money to buy cool stuff for learning,” said Lecureux, a cross country runner. “We do a ton of cool outdoor activities. We learn a lot.”
Brook Stillman, physical education teacher, organized the school’s 5th annual Fund Run.
“We have done other fundraisers in the past, but 100% of the money collected from this goes back to school,” said Stillman. “With a lot of others, you have to share it, like cookie dough and wrapping paper. We give prizes. The kid who run most laps will get a prize. The money goes to teachers for supplies and field trips. The class that raises the most money gets a party of their choice.”
Tracy Wharton is the school’s director of finance and accountability.
“We get a portion of county appropriations,” said Wharton. “Our students come from Macon, Graham, Swain, Cherokee and Jackson. Every county has money budgeted for the school. We get money per pupil. Our biggest funding comes from the state based on being in Swain County. We apply for Title One and Impact Aid. We apply for other grants like Learning Links. We don’t get funding for our building or buses that county districts get. We have to budget a portion to our aging building. This summer, we replaced a parking lot and modified the exceptional children’s classroom.”
Wharton added that the money used for facility repairs comes from the same pot set aside to purchase school supplies. The Fund Run helps put some of that money back into the pot.
“Last year, some classes bought Chromebooks, some bought Smartboards and others crafts,” said Wharton. “Money helps to do activities and lessons.”
Upcoming activities and field trips at Mountain Discover Charter School include the eighth-grade camping trip.
“Eighth graders will spend a week camping in the Hazel Creek area to learn the history and geography of the area,” said Lisa Monnat, administrative assistant and afterschool coordinator. “We also have Exhibition Night coming in November. That’s when the students invite friends and family out for an evening of activities. It is an opportunity for the students to showcase their hard work and pride in their school to their families and friends.”
Contributions made to Mountain Discover Charter School help preserve and grow its culture, welcoming more students. Fund Run donations can still be offered.
A separate capital campaign is in process to raise $2 million in two years. Donations can be made via mountaindiscovery.org.