Fun Run and Ninja Course to support local schools
Black Mountain Schools PTO to hold annual fundraiser for local students and teachers
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 9, 2023
Black Mountain Elementary School students take the field for the 2022 Ninja Course, an annual fundraiser organized by the Black Mountain Schools PTO. Photo courtesy of Taina Lopez Photography
An annual fall tradition supporting local students and teachers will return, beginning at 8:15 a.m., Friday, Oct. 13, when students from Black Mountain Primary and Elementary Schools head outside to raise money for a pair of Owen District schools.
The Fun Run and Ninja Course, organized by the Black Mountain Schools Parent Teacher Organization, represents the volunteer-led nonprofit’s largest yearly fundraising campaign to support the neighboring schools.
The BMPTO partners with the primary and elementary schools by supporting staff inside and outside of the classroom, according to third-year president Katie Duvall.
“We support the teachers, students, administration and staff by volunteering with the schools,” she said. “We also try to make sure they have funds available for the teachers to help inside their classrooms.”
The Fun Run raised money to construct a track around the BMP field last year, while the Ninja Course supported the installation of ADA compliant swings at BME. The 2023 events will assist the purchase of a new sign for the primary school and updated classrooms at the elementary school, according to Duvall.
The Fun Run will consist of three distinct courses and the Ninja Course will feature six obstacle courses designed by volunteer PTO organizers.
“The goal is to raise $25,000 for the primary school and $10,000 for the elementary school,” she said. “We surveyed parents and teachers to figure out what was needed or wanted. One of the things was buddy benches, which students can sit on when they’re feeling sad, and it lets others students know they need a buddy.”
The Black Mountain Schools PTO will host its annual Fun Run and Ninja Course at Black Mountain Primary and Black Mountain Elementary Schools, Oct. 14. The fundraiser supports students and teachers at both schools. Photo courtesy of Taina Lopez Photography
Outdoor learning spaces and a mural on the gymnasium wall in BMP are also on the PTO wish list.
“These are all things that the kids will benefit from, and that’s really important to us,” Duvall said.
Parents and family members can sponsor individual runners in both events, as classrooms can qualify prizes ranging from Crazy Hair Day to visits from Mr. Moon of the Asheville Tourists or the Black Mountain Fire and Police Departments.
“The kids look forward to this every year,” Duvall said. “It’s an opportunity for them to get involved in a way that directly helps their school and they always have a good time participating in the Fun Run and the Ninja Course.”
With approximately two dozen active members, the BMPTO provides a wide range of support for schools, including volunteering for field days and book fairs. The nonprofit provides each class in both schools $200 per school year to cover incidental expenses.
“That’s $100 each semester to keep teachers from having to pay more crayons or glue sticks or general supplies,” Duvall said. “Each teacher has the choice of what they want to spend that money on, and it goes to the specials, too. So P.E. gets it, art gets it, music gets it, and that helps when something comes up and they need new supplies. We don’t want teachers not being able to do certain things because they don’t have the funding.”
To support individual students or classes in the 2023 Fun Run and Ninja Course, visit the website linked here. To volunteer for either event, register here.
“We’re always looking for new volunteers, or business partners in the community,” Duvall said of the PTO. “We’re fortunate to have great schools in this community, and the best way we can show our appreciation is by supporting our students and teachers.”