On Tuesday, October 8, Apex will be back at Mission Avenue for a two week positive character development and leadership building program. Apex is an interactive program that helps schools all over the country raise money, while promoting leadership, good character and fitness. Our students will raise pledges for the Fun Run scheduled for Friday, October 18.
During the Apex Fun Run program, students are challenged to get pledges for the laps they will run on Fun Run Day to help our school. Students will run for 30 minutes and will run an average of 26-36 laps around the Apex Raceway. The maximum number of laps is 36 and each lap is 1/16th of a mile. Through Apex’s online pledge system, sponsors can pledge $1/lap, $2/lap, $5/lap or any other amount for students and can pledge from anywhere in the world!
Why We Fundraise
The Apex Fun Run is Mission’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with funds earmarked for teacher grants, technology and student scholarships. The money raised from last year’s fundraisers have been used to rebuild and improve the school garden beds, fund the mural project, update the MP room sound system, and purchase Apple TVs for the remaining classrooms.
Our next fundraising goal is to achieve a 1:1 ratio of Chromebooks to students in grades 3-6 and to expand the lower grades’ access to iPads. Our teachers feel this is extremely important in this day and age, not only because the students need practice using technology to prepare for MAP and CAASPP testing, but more importantly, to be prepared to utilize the skills necessary to be digital citizens in middle school, high school and beyond. In addition, having a computer for each student allows teachers to access online resources and tools to better provide instruction for students that need reteaching and/or enrichment.
This Year’s Theme
This year’s Apex theme is Game On, with lessons that are geared towards helping students manage their time and feelings and showing them how to be aware of and care for others, solve problems and make great decisions. Each letter in the theme represents an area of focus including:
G — The G in game represents being a GO GETTER at any age. Leaders can take action every single day — there’s no need to wait to be great!
A — The A stands for APPRECIATE. This involves teaching students to place value on the world and people around them, as well as their unique gifts and talents to learn to appreciate what they have.
M — By staying focused on the future, students can MOVE FORWARD to overcome their fears and understand that mistakes are simply an opportunity to learn.
E — The E stands for EXPLORE. Being curious and having the courage to try new things afford students endless opportunities to learn, discover and explore!
O — This letter helps students understand that putting OTHERS FIRST without any expectation of getting something in return, even when it’s convenient, is a strong characteristic of true leaders.
N — The N stands for NOW WHAT, which encourages students to ask themselves how they can make a positive impact on the world around them. It also inspires children to think about what’s important to them, and how they can set goals and form habits to focus on turning their visions for the future into reality.
Join Us for the Kickoff Rally
All parents are welcome to join us on Tuesday morning for the Apex kickoff rally (9 am for grades 4-6, 10:30 am for grades K-3) in the MP room to hear more about Apex and what our students will be learning as part of this year’s curriculum. We will also be sending daily emails during the two week program, with information on the day’s lessons, so you can continue the dialogue at home with your children.
The Apex Leadership Company encourages students to be the best version of themselves through positive themes — not just through the course of the two-week Apex program, but every day throughout their lives. It is the goal that these positive leadership lessons will serve as the building blocks that students will continue to use as the foundation for their strong characters as they develop through various stages of childhood and into adulthood.
Parent Volunteers Needed for Apex Fun Run
Mission Avenue parents are needed on Friday, October 18th at the Apex run. Parents work for approximately 45 minutes marking laps on student t-shirts or handing out water. The K-3rd grade students will run at 9 am and the 4th-6th grade students will run at 10:30 am. If you can help support your child’s class, please send an e-mail to apex@missionpta.org. Please include your child’s grade level and a telephone number.
All parents and supporters are also welcome to come cheer on their runners. Volunteers and observers must check in at the office and get a visitor pass.
Thank you for helping create Mission Magic!
