PTMS SHATTERS FUNDRAISING GOAL
P
Dance-a-Thon Supports Ronald McDonald House Charities
eters Township Middle
School is consistently
ranked as one of the
highest achieving middle
schools in the state, with a top-
notch staff who work hard every
day to bring our students the
lessons they need to succeed. This
January, the staff at PTMS proved
that these lessons go far beyond
the standards of math, science
and social studies. Through their
Dance-a-Thon event, our students
were taught to think beyond
themselves and put the needs of
others before their own.
“This was our fourth event,
so we aimed high,” said Melissa
Giaquinto, 7th grade social
studies teacher who was half of
the dynamic duo who organized
the event. “We set the goal at $25,000 – higher than we had ever
done in the past and decided to see what would happen.”
What happened was a partnership of staff, students and
parents who planned a variety of fundraisers starting in the
fall to make that goal a reality. Events included an evening
scavenger hunt and escape room fun night for students, a Pie in
the Face contest for some brave staff members, weekly breakfast
fundraisers before school, and other raffles to get the students
engaged even before the dancing began.
“The effort from everyone was amazing,” said
Stephanie Van Balen, the school’s Computer Applications
teachers who led the effort along with Giaquinto. “We
even had staff members at all the other District buildings
donate through events in their schools and a few local
corporate sponsors. This was all of PT coming together.”
In the end, more than 200 student dancers signed
up for the “Git Up and Dance” themed event and
started gathering donations from family and friends.
Coming into the Dance-a-Thon night, they knew they
were close to their goal and hoped that the final push
would put them over the top. From 5-11 p.m. that
night, students danced, ate, hula-hooped, got their
faces painted, ate some more, and even took part in a
group choreographed dance to energize the students
throughout the night.
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PETERS TOWNSHIP
Students reveal the grand total.
“Watching our students and staff have fun together was
awesome,” said Adam Sikorski, building principal. “But knowing
what a difference this money could make was inspiring. I’m so
proud of all of them.”
As the night drew to a close, the top student money earners
were asked to help reveal the final total. Seventh graders Skyler
Gaudio, Kaitlyn Strine and Ava Blasey led the students in chants
to “show that number!” and when the final total of $45,631.31 was
revealed, the crowd erupted!
Mrs. Van Balen leads the students in their choreographed dance.