Salt Creek students have new place to run around

The children at Salt Creek Elementary School in Eastlake have a reason to run with the addition of a new quarter mile loop track that was fully funded by a parent group.

The parent group successfully raised $40,000 for the funding of a track course to promote the benefits of running, walking and staying active, said Chula Vista Elementary School District Spokesman Anthony Millican.

“It’s really a tremendous achievement and a testament to parent engagement at that school and in the community,” Millican said. “It is really exciting to see that level of parent engagement.”

Students did not have to wait very long for the installation of the track as construction began for a few weeks over the summer, and finally completed at the end of July. Students at Salt Creek

It is estimated that more than 900 students in kindergarten through sixth grade use the track daily for physical education purposes, with 200 of those active runners participating in a parent lead running group. Millican said teachers often come to school early to make use of the track.

“It’s really a community asset,” he said.

Before the track, students, teachers and parents would run or walk along a  grassy and dirt path that would get really muddy. Now the decomposed, granite track would prevent mud and the track would remain open for use all year round.

“It provides a better environment for running and walking,” he said.

Millican said the track works with the district’s philosophy of encouraging students to be active and physical on a daily basis.

In the future, the school is hoping to start an annual district-wide track meet where students from throughout the district can compete.

“They are hoping to host track meets there in there eventually for the elementary district,” Millican said.

Eventually, Millican said, there are additional plans to add amenities around the track such as a fitness station.

For three mornings a week, Salt Creek’s parent-led running club hits the track with more than 200 student members. With each mile students run, they earn “feet” charms for their necklaces. Awards are given quarterly for top runners by grade-level.

This is not the first time this parent group has helped Salt Creek Elementary. Millican said the group has also help fund field trips and paid for students to attend sixth -grade camp.

Salt Creek Principal Lanie Perez said she appreciates the community coming together to help fill a need for Salt Creek students.

“We are very proud of our track and even more so the community support that we have received from our parents in making it possible,” she said.