Wildwood School Receives Grant for Exercise Equipment

WILDWOOD – When the school bell rang for Glenwood Avenue Elementary School students this year, not only was it time for reading, writing and arithmetic, it was also time for exercise.  A recent grant presented to the children of the school not only means hours of fun, it is also bringing an increased awareness of the need to get up and get moving.
The school is the recipient of $2,500 grant from the Douglas Raucci Forget-Me-Not Foundation, a local philanthropic organization that provides scholarships to local students and grants to local schools. 
Named for the late Douglas Raucci, the foundation exemplifies the winning spirit of the red-haired young man whose joy and love of life transcended all boundaries.  Funding from the foundation has helped put smiles on the faces of local youth for years.
The Glenwood Avenue Elementary School’s grant provided equipment to the school’s physical education department that ensures a smile on face of every student.  Monies from the grant were used to purchase jump bands, gopher balls, beach balls and a myriad of other items that spell F-U-N for children.
“Children have so many opportunities to be sedentary, so where possible, we try to find ways for them to be active,” said Wildwood School District Superintendent John Kummings. “We have been shifting the focus of our PE programs to find ways to have all students engaged and moving during the lessons, and this donation will help to facilitate this goal.”
“One of the many benefits of being a physical education teacher is to see the joy and excitement my students show while they are in class,” said Glenwood Avenue Elementary School physical education teacher Adam Hardin.  “One thing that helps make physical education class exciting is the ability for students to be introduced to and use different types of equipment in class.” 
“This gift will go far in helping all of our students to keep moving,” Kummings said.  “Doug was an incredible person, and I am happy that he will continue to have a positive impact in the community through this donation.”