By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— As a way to get parents, families and students together to embrace an active lifestyle, Valley Elementary School hosts monthly runs behind the school. On Jan. 28, about 70 students participated in a run right after school.

Physical education teacher Ginger Aaron-Brush said the school tries to host either a before school, after school or evening run once a month.

“We know that everyone can’t come every time it’s offered, so we try to offer it at a different range of times so that people will have that opportunity,” she said.

All the students who participate earn a toe-token for their shoelace and a healthy snack once they finish. January’s token was a snowflake.

Attendance varies from run-to-run, but Aaron-Brush said parents seem to enjoy the event at the school.

“I get so many emails just parents saying they enjoyed the opportunity,” she said. “A lot of times it’s the kids dragging them to come— they want to come, they want to run with their friends. But once the parents get out here too, they realize it’s a great opportunity for them to meet other people in the community, and it’s an opportunity for them and their kids to spend time together while getting healthy.”

Lucas Kalba said he enjoys partaking in the runs with his fellow students. The January run was the first fun run he has participated in this year.

“I get to be active and my heart starts to beat more and I get stronger and all of that,” Kalba explained.

Some of the faculty members also join in with the students and families. Aaron-Brush said there is a group of teachers who exercise together on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Because January’s run fell on a Thursday, Aaron-Brush said the teachers wanted to show their support for VES’s runs.

“They wanted to get out here and show their students the importance of having a healthy lifestyle,” Aaron-Brush said.