Walking, jogging and running at recess are all successful steps for Totoket Valley Elementary School (TVES) students, thanks to Totoket Trotters.

The new program, started in the fall with support from the school's student activity fund and TVES PTO, has kids in grades three through five looking forward to getting in some laps at recess. If they really stick to it, a dedicated Trotter can complete the equivalent of a full marathon, 26.3 miles, by year's end.

But that's not the overarching goal, said Totoket Trotters co-founder and TVES fourth grade teacher Karyl Morton.  The intrinsic benefits for kids are what Totoket Trotters such a fantastic program.

"It's about being active at recess and making positive recess choices," said Morton. "They work for a goal, and set goals for themselves. We do not tell them that they need to run a certain amount. We're even seeing students who aren't necessarily the most motivated or active students giving at least two laps every time."

Morton said an added benefit is that the kids are coming back into the classroom more focused and ready to learn and cooperate.

"I love seeing them academically line up, when they receive those mental awards; but this is great too, because it's having another achievable goal where they can be successful," said Morton.

Program co-founder and third grade TVES teacher Joe Amodio agreed.

"Trotters is motivating students to set goals and work harder towards achieving them. Our hope is that this work ethic will carry over into the classroom, and we are beginning to see signs of this," said Amodio. "On Trotter days, there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of conflicts amongst peers. Students are beginning to develop healthier friendships because of this program."

Keeping Totoket Trotters running smoothly requires parent volunteers, and more are welcome, said Morton. Currently, enough are signing up to allow students from every grade to participate in a Trotter day once a week.  Volunteers also hand out popsicle sticks to every student who completes a lap. When a student collects seven sticks, they've completed a mile and earn a charm.

There are special charms for milestones such as the first mile or miles 5 or 10; and smaller charms to count the miles in-between. Trotters are having fun stringing them onto necklaces they can break out to wear around school on their designated Trotter day of the week.

"They have become the biggest fashion statement at TVES right now," said Morton. "We do have it organized so they can wear their necklace all day on day of their run, and at end of day they hand in to their teachers to keep safe for them in their own little baggies."

As an added form of encouragement, some special Trotter days, generally organized to match holidays, are in the mix.

"We did a Pumpkin Run, we did a Turkey Trot, and we just held our Jingle Jam," said Morton. "They just have to run one lap, instead of having to run the full mile, to get the charm. It's a little extra incentive."

Following Jingle Jam on Dec. 13, where students received a jingle bell for participating, "...a student told me that Trotters is the best thing he's ever done in his life!" said Amodio.

Morton thanks Amodio and also teacher Deena Scigliano for assistance in writing a grant application when she was initially seeking funding for Totoket Trotters. Morton was inspired by a similar program in her hometown of Durham which started about 10 years ago. She added she received a great deal of support from that program's organizer in getting Totoket Trotters up to speed.

This year's funding for Totoket Trotters was made possible thanks to TVES principal Dr. Kristine Lindsay and PTO president Dale Izzo, said Morton. She also thanks PTO parent Karen Martone for organizing Trotters parent volunteers and TVES Physical Education teacher David Carpenter for marking out the mile distance on two different outdoor spaces at the school.

With winter potentially keeping kids off the playground when school resumes in January, "...we'll probably put the brakes on Totoket Trotters for a little while," said Morton. "As the new year comes, we'll see what the weather brings. We might be able to get in a few runs in January if we can; and then we'll be back into it by about March."

Another goal is to have a final fun run to celebrate in the spring – ideas being discussed right now include a possible color run. Seeing students embrace the program on the playground, and find new avenues to success, is very rewarding for the entire TVES community.

"We're very excited and happy to have it out there," added Morton. "We're trying to do great things on all avenues."