At the close of the 2022-23 school year, students at the Marlboro Elementary School had a day of fun with a ‘Cereal Run’ while also learning a lesson on how to help others in less fortunate positions. Donated cereal boxes were lined up close to each other, and once the first one was tipped over, the others fell like dominoes.

The school’s first Cereal Run was held in 2021 and was revived again this year. In 2021 there were 805 boxes, and this year the grand total hit 1,101 boxes.

Fifth Grade teacher Kristi Bogaczyk said this event came about because her husband’s school did it in Washingtonville.

“When I told my kids about it in 2021, they said let’s challenge that school and get more than them,” she said. “The kids took it from there because they were motivated by wanting to beat another school.”

The kids collected boxes for about a month and kept a tally on a board with a drawn thermometer on it.

Principal Jenna Thomas said, “family, friends and community members donated to the event; they have been so generous and kind,” and even people from outside the area. She said all of the teachers helped to make it run smoothly, “so it really is a unifying event.”
“A lot of it has been by word of mouth, and even a friend from another state donated to be a part of it,” Bogaczyk said.

After the event the cereal boxes were donated to a number of local organizations: the Marlboro Backpack program, the St. Mary’s Food Pantry in Marlboro and the St. Augustine Food Pantry and Community Outreach, both in Highland.

Principal Thomas had the last word.

“I’m just super proud of the faculty, the staff at this event and for the public’s generous donations, just knowing that it is going to help people locally. Thanks for keeping other people in your heart because that’s really what it’s about,” she said.