FF Overview

Welcome to Findley Elementary School Running Club!
Track your mileage and run a marathon (or more) with your friends during lunch recess (Tuesday) or before school (Thursday 8AM - under cover in the rain or shine on the track ).

10.29.2014

How many pairs of Flyer feet does it takes to run 2,028 miles?

611 pairs of Findley Flyer feet plus Tuesdays at lunch recess and Thursdays before school, plus lap after lap after lap, have all added up to equal 2,028 miles run in the past two months!  We have run all the way to the Northern tip of Canada near Resolute Bay!  Below is how far each grade has run.  We wonder how far will we go together? 

                                    Runners        Total Miles
Kindergarten                 72                      224
1st Grade                     133                      531.75
2nd Grade                    116                      355.75
3rd Grade                    105                       348.75
4th Grade                      89                        297
5th Grade                      96                        271.50
Total                           611                     2,028.75

We asked the children to think about how far they want to go with the Findley Flyer’s this year.  What is their goal?  Ask them if they want to be a part of the marathon club, or the half marathon club, or earn every colored toe token, or if they want to make it to every Thursday running club.  What’s their motivation?  Find out where they want to go this year and be part of their cheer squad by volunteering with us.

10.27.2014

Flyers run because ...

The Findley Flyer runners are making it happen once again on the track this year!  There’s something about running and moving that the children love.  In fact, at the last assembly, we asked the children why they run?   These are some of the things they said:  

  • “When you run, (it) makes a smile.”  2nd grader
  • “I run because I want to get to 26.2 (marathon).”  4th grader
  • “It helps train for sports such as gymnastics and soccer and sports I do.”  3rd grader
  • “Gives you lots of energy and makes you feel very strong.”  1st grader
  • “Its fun to do with friends.” 1st grader
  • “It makes you feel powerful!”  1st grader
  • “Exercise”  1st, 2nd graders
  • “Because it’s fun!”  1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders
Getting out there on Tuesdays at lunch and Thursdays before school is not only fun, it’s good for their brains!  Check out this article in the New York Times for more information:  

We think you would like to be a part of the Findley Flyers team too!  We have a core group of fun, engaging, and awesome volunteers who make this program happen and we always welcome more.  Come see what we are all about Tuesdays at lunch and Thursdays at 8am!  

10.17.2014

First two marathoners crossed the finish line

Findley Elementary marathon club members run 26. 2 miles. Once runners cross the finish line they receive a 26.2 token and the feeling inside of what it means to accomplish a goal.  You can do more than you think, if only you try.

Marathon Club member names are called during Friday announcements, medals are awarded and pictures taken afterward. Marathon pictures are posted on the Flyers running club bulletin board, located near the playground and gym doors.

9.18.2014

Flyers Run Relay - One lap at a time (Sept 27 @ 9:00am)


2013 Family Fun Relay

The Findley Flyers running club are putting their Tuesday and Thursday training days to the test!  We are coordinating a team of Flyers to participate in a family fun relay on Saturday, September 27th.  

Your child can register as part of the Findley Flyers team and take part in this fun event that raises money for The Fit Project!  The relay starts at 9:00am and takes place at Catlin Gabel.  The Flyers will work together to complete the relay, which is 30 laps around the track.   Tami and Nicole will be there to organize and cheer on the children.   Drop in for one lap or more, before or after your other Saturday activities, or stay for the whole race. We should be done around 11:00am. 

For more information and to register visit: 
The Fit Project 
Relay Registration

Also, send us an email at findleyflyers@gmail.com so we know to expect your child.  All Flyers family members are welcome to run, too!

Don’t forget to wear Findley colors (purple or teal) or other Findley gear on relay day!

9.12.2014

Why Do Flyers Run?

At today's assembly, we asked the school, "Why Do We Run?"
Our answer was easy... "We Run For Fun!"

On the track, we asked the flyers, "Why do YOU run?"
Their answers coming soon .....


9.05.2014

The Fun starts Tuesday, September 9, 2014

It’s a new year for the Findley Flyers running club!  How far and how much fun will your child have this year?  Their feet will fly as they count laps to run a mile, more laps to earn toe tokens, and eventually run a marathon perhaps?  

Mileage cards are printed for all children so tell your child to get ready for Tuesday, September 9th!  Wear tennis shoes on Tuesday and come run with us during lunch!  Put those shoes back on for Thursday Findley Flyers before school at 8:00am!   That’s right, we will be out there again this year on Tuesdays at lunch and Thursdays before school.

Parents, join us as a volunteer!  We need at least 7 parents PER grade during the first few weeks! 
Sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094ca9a723a75-findley3, 
or email us at: findleyflyers@gmail.com

6.06.2014

Run Flyer Run ... and they did!

The Final numbers are in! It's official! The Findley Flyers have run 9,896 miles this school year! 129 students crossed the marathon line and countless more ran half marathons, 20 miles, or simply had a positive experience learning how to set goals and reach them.

The children ran, they walked, they giggled, they worked together, and they beamed with pride as they participated in the Findley Flyers.  We could not have done the program without our awesome volunteers and the support of the Findley PTO and staff. A huge thank you to all who made it happen, both the numbers below and the intrinsic lessons the kids learned about running and moving. The biggest lesson of all is that it is fun to run and reach goals! We look forward to seeing everyone out on the track next year. Check out our website or email us if you are interested in being part of the parent
volunteer team.

Thank you all and congratulations to the children!

 Grade    #Students  Total Miles
  K          103            1272
  1           144            1855.25
  2           135            1899
  3           129            1622
  4           156            2095.25
  5           153            1152.5

820 kids ran 9,896 miles from Portland to the South Pole!

5.27.2014

Final days to reach your goals -- May 27, 2014

The last day for Running Club is Tuesday, May 27th. It’s not too late to reach your marathon goal!

5.23.2014

Over 100 marathoners, more to come!

This school year, over 600 children participated in the Findley Flyers. 430 children were  still participating in March. 109 children have run a marathon (that’s 26 miles or 104 laps around the track) so far this year! As of March, the whole school ran 7,896 miles, or all the way to Sydney Australia. By the end of the year the children running together will reach close to 10,000 miles. That is a lot of feet moving!

The last day for Running Club is Tuesday, May 27th. That means students have one last chance to meet their goals!

5.20.2014

It's more than running!


Findley Flyers was started to teach children exercise is fun.  We believe if children learn at an early age how good it feels to move, they will take that with them for the rest or their lives.  

The lessons children learn as a Findley Flyer include how to set goals, how it feels to have a healthy body, what it means to work together to support each other, and moving helps clear their minds and gives them energy for the rest of the day.

But….it’s not about the numbers.  It’s not even just about running….

This is what happened out on the track this year.   The results are beyond amazing……

~ An across the board improvement in fitness level.   
~ An improvement in the ability to focus.  As one teacher said “Running club marks the days of the week for me.  The kids have a different kind of energy on the day they run.”
~ Children collaborating on the track.  Many run and work together to reach their marathon goals, often crossing that finish line together.
~ Student’s supporting each other.  One boy ran the last two miles of the marathon for his friend who was unable to run because he broke his toe.  
~ Community created around a common goal.  Every child at school is a Findley Flyer.  They can run or not run as they choose but they are all Findley Flyers.  One school, one team.
~ Running club is a self led activity. It is up to the student to decide what they are going to do.  When they reach their goal, they can take full ownership of it.  They did it, they know it, they are really proud of what they have accomplished.

~ Children are given something to do when they don’t know what to do at lunch recess.  New students come and they can run.  A student is feeling left out on the playground, they run.  Something to do, something to feel good about, and something to look forward to.

4.11.2014

Can you have too much fun running?

A Findley Flyer reported to us, "I'm just having so much fun running right now!" We think the sentiment is shared with 430 kids participating in the Findley Flyers this month! That's a lot of runners! Amazing work done by the kids with 45 marathoners, 3 "50" milers, and many more reaching their goals in the month of April. These kids ran 904 miles in March, double from last month! The grand total so far for the year is 7,896 miles or all the way to Sydney, Australia! 

Here is a March breakdown by grade. Way to go Findley Flyers!

 Grade  Students    Miles Run
   K        89           108
  1st       81           164.25
  2nd     57            176.5
  3rd      84            139
  4th      64            223.75
  5th      55              93

3.21.2014

Stoller 5k coming up ... April 6

Wouldn’t it be fun to put our training to work in the form of an upcoming race?  The Stoller 5k is on Sunday, April 6th!  A 5k is 3 miles.  We can do that!  How many Flyers can join us for this fun community event?  Find out more at www.stoller5k.com  We hope to see you and your children out there!  

3.07.2014

Findley Flyers in February?

You may be wondering how many children are running with the Findley Flyers.  We were!  So we counted our cards and found out.  355 Findley Flyers ran during the winter month of February!   So far this year, we have run 7007 miles!

The children learned in the assembly today how many miles each grade has run, how many marathoners per grade (medal count), and how many children are participating the in Flyers.  We reminded them to focus on their goal, whether it is running a half marathon (13 miles) or marathon (26 miles), or just enjoying being out there, or committing to run with us every Tuesday and Thursday.  We discussed how it takes commitment and time to reach their goals, but they can do it and have fun while they try!  We have about 11 weeks left.  If your child runs 4 laps every week, that’s 11 miles!  Where will they go from here!?  

Children Participation (Feb) Marathon Medal Count  
Kindergartner   573
1st Grade          816
2nd Grade         604
3rd Grade         487
4th Grade         605
5th Grade         212

3.03.2014

Volunteers needed to keep running club's 355 runners going strong!

Last month, 355 kids participated in the Findley Flyers running club!   These kids are so enthusiastic and extremely proud of their accomplishments.  We have 30 marathoners so far and more on their way! 


To keep this momentum, we really need more parent volunteers.  We are so thankful for our trusted crew who show up to make it all happen.  We could use you too!   Starting tomorrow!  Sign up for an hour time slot on Tuesdays or contact findleyflyers@gmail.com to find ways you can help.  At lease three volunteers are needed in every one hour time slot to run the club in a safe and effective way.   We have fun, get things done, and encourage children to move, all at the same time!  Join us!   


Tuesday 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
    K:    11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
   1st:  11:25 AM - 11:45 AM 

Tuesday 11:45 AM - 12:40 PM
    2nd: 11:50 AM - 12:10 PM
    3rd:  12:15 PM - 12:35 PM 

Tuesday 12:35 PM - 1:35 PM
   4th:  12:40 PM -  1:00 PM
   5th:    1:05 PM -  1:25 PM

2.17.2014

Run to Sochi 2014


The Findley Flyers continue to run strong through the winter months.  The Flyers have run a total of 6,548 miles.  That’s all the way to a mountain in Sochi, Russia!  

The kids are working hard and reaching their goals!  18 children have run 26.2 miles to earn their marathon medal with many more coming up at the 20 mile mark.  Marathon medals are handed out during Friday morning announcements, pictures are taken, and then posted to the Findley Flyer Marathon Club.  To find out how far your child has run, look for your child’s name on the website by looking at the mileage clubs.  Mileage clubs range from 1 mile all the way to 35 miles so far!

You can find us out there Tuesdays at lunch and Thursdays before school at 8am.  We are there rain or shine on Thursday mornings and run under the cover if it is too wet.  We are all having a lot of fun, getting some fresh air, and moving our bodies.  Join us for some Findley Flyer fun!  

Look how far we’ve gone!

Grade Total Miles
K      743
1    1,223
2    1,285
3    1,155
4    1,313
5       827 

2.05.2014

Findley Flyers CANCELED 2/6/14

It's cold out there Findley Flyers! Tomorrow, Thursday, February 6th Findley Flyers will be CANCELED in the morning. Sleep in, stay warm, and we will see you on the track next week!

1.08.2014

2014 is off and running!


The Flyers are back on the track in 2014, thanks to our community support.  Some of the reasons why what Findley Flyer runners, walkers, parents, teachers, staff & volunteers do matters:
  • Teachers are saying:  Children are always drawing pictures and writing stories about the running club.
  • Parents are saying:  Running club is one of my child's favorite thing to do at school.  I never pictured my child as a runner but they absolutely love it.
  • Volunteers are saying:  This is my favorite volunteer activity, I'm having so much fun!
  • Kids are saying:  I never thought I could run ____13 miles, 20 miles, 26 miles and so on.  

Their smiles really say it all as they count up their miles, show us their tokens, and round the corners of the track.

Volunteering for the Findley Flyers is so appreciated and makes a huge difference for the children. 

What a incredible start we have had.  Join us in 2014 for more!  5,325 miles and counting ....