With all the school budget cuts over the years, Lakeside Union School District’s Lakeside Education & Arts Partnership (L.E.A.P.) and the Lakeside PTA hosted it 15th Annual Run for the Arts. Well more than 1,000 students, parents, teachers and the Lakeside community filled Lindo Lake County Park on March 29 for this dual event in tandem with the Parks and Recreation of San Diego County’s 9th Annual Health Fair.
With all the school budget cuts over the years, Lakeside Union School District’s Lakeside Education & Arts Partnership (L.E.A.P.) and the Lakeside PTA hosted it 15th Annual Run for the Arts. Well more than 1,000 students, parents, teachers and the Lakeside community filled Lindo Lake County Park on March 29 for this dual event in tandem with the Parks and Recreation of San Diego County’s 9th Annual Health Fair.
All proceeds from the 2-mile jog-a-thon, fun run/walk benefited the award winning L.E.A.P. arts education program in Lakeside District schools that provides artists-in-residence programs, and field trips to view artistic performances and arts assemblies.
Lakeside Union School District Superintendent/CEO Dr. David Lorden said once every year the District has this Run for the Arts in hope of raising more money for the arts program. He said so many schools around the county have had to cut back and the arts were the first to go.
“We in courage our teachers and students to come in support of the arts program,” said Lorden.
With countless people coming or just showing up in support of family members this race was a community event. Elementary and middle schools teamed up and participated in the run for the art—Riverview International Academy, Lindo Park Elementary, Lemon Crest Elementary, Lakeside Elementary, Lakeside Middle and Terra Del Sol Middle School.
“All the money goes to the arts program and in doing so we keep our arts program of which we are really found of,” said Lorden.
While the run for the arts was underway, the 9th Annual Health Fair kick-started with different health booths, free screenings and fun activities for the kids. On the stage, health fitness instructors showed senior citizens how to keep in shape and the Tumble Wee and Dance troupe gave several performances, beginning with children 3-years-old. The health fair and run for the arts was combined seven years ago with great success.
Park & Recreation of San Diego County District Manager Christina Lafontant said, “This event gets the community more health aware and makes people know that parks are a fun and healthy place for the whole family to enjoy.”
Information booths were filled with health info like what to do with a bug bite to healthy teeth cleaning and knowing your local health clinics. There were also booths on water conservation and many of Lakeside’s local environmental attractions.
“The health fair is all about community health and with the calibration and partnership of the run for the arts has been a great,” said Lafontant.
The Run for the Arts course made a figure-eight course, the crowed was filled with many different levels of runners from your average every day runner, to families along with some serious runners. All together, they filled the park in supporting the L.E.A.P. for the future of Lakeside’s youth.
