» More than $800 Raised in Dayton Elementary Ice Bucket Challenge

More than $800 Raised in Dayton Elementary Ice Bucket Challenge

Third Grader Amanda McCoy and Dayton Elementary School Librarian Mrs. Kerry Harding combine for a double-dose of ice water dumped on Principal Jennifer Reiter during the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Friday afternoon (submitted).

By Jonathan Weaver

Dayton Elementary students got a giggle out of watching Principal Jennifer Reiter and 10 other teachers get soaked with ice water Friday afternoon, but Principal Reiter said they earned it.

From September 2-4, students collected more than $820 toward the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Association

“They collected $821.16 – I thought that was awesome,” Reiter said. “It was just nice to see these envelopes coming in and knowing that they were giving out of the goodness of their heart. It was an overwhelming thing to see these kids do.

“This is not big business donating here – this is kids. You have kids that went to their piggy bank or empty out their pockets, giving whatever they had.”

There are nearly 270 students at Dayton Elementary. All donations will be given via check to the ALS Association of Western Pennsylvania Chapter in Pittsburgh.

Principal Reiter, in her third school year at Dayton Elementary, thought the challenge bestowed by Shannock Valley Elementary a week prior would be a little more fun with more teachers involved.

“I had been challenged myself and put it out to (teachers) saying I want to do this but I want to do it much-bigger and include more people. I was hoping with the teachers, we’d be able to raise more money,” Reiter said.

Reiter is also principal at Shannock Valley – so she got to experience the icy chill twice.

“Even though it was the second one, it was still ice-cold, but on a beautiful day like (Firday), it was nice to share it with the kids and the faculty and know that everything they had done was going to a very-worthy cause,” Reiter said.

Third Grader Amanda McCoy and School Librarian Kerry Harding got to dump the ice water on Reiter after collecting the most money.

Also a Gifted Support Teacher, Harding was not only inspired by the students cheering them on, but also volunteered to take the challenge after her uncle was diagnosed with ALS in May.

“It’s a rare disease that I don’t think gets a lot of attention,” Harding said. “It’s a rare coincidence that he was diagnosed in May and the challenge came out in July.

“Especially here, we try and show the kids how important it is to give back and think of what other people are going through,” Harding said. “It was an important lesson for the children to learn.”

Reiter educated students about the disease before the challenge as well.

First Grader Madison Keirn got the honor of dumping water onto Harding, who had seen many challenge videos online but couldn’t predict how it would feel.

“It was colder – it actually took my breath away,” Harding said. “I had (Keirn) in class right after and I kept teasing her about dumping it on my head.”

Harding’s family has also made a donation to the foundation.

Secretary Lynn Bauwin, Fourth Grade Teacher Sherri Cornetti and Art Teacher Carol Donnelly were also some of the faculty “iced” Friday.

After Shannock Valley students raised more than $1,300, more than $2,100 was donated by the two elementary schools. Students at both schools eventually attend West Shamokin Junior-Senior High in Rural Valley.

Friday, Dayton Elementary challenged West Shamokin Junior-Senior High, West Hills Intermediate in Kittanning and Lenape Elementary in Ford City. Reiter is particularly-interested in seeing respective principals Dr. Stephen Shutters, Chuck Kreinbucher and Brian Thimons participate.

Armstrong School District | jweaver September 8, 2014