District News

On October 21st, it was a louder, and much more colorful evening on Seney Drive! As a way to bring families together, Bernardsville Middle School hosted a Color Run that had parents, guardians, students, and siblings running for their health… and a great cause!

Somerset Hills School District PE Teachers, Ashley Oliveira and Elizabeth St. Ours, continuously look for ways to extend fitness and heart health beyond the gymnasium walls. With the goal of bringing family, fun, and fitness together, they collaborated with the American Heart Association and devised a wonderful event.

The BMS Color Run, held at night to allow more parents and guardians to attend, also included an added bonus; parents who joined were able to earn double house points for their students. BMS has a longstanding tradition of students competing throughout the year to earn points for one of their four “houses”: Duke, Penn State, Princeton, and Rutgers. A total of 101 people laced up their sneakers and vied for prizes and coveted house points. The run was a mile long and students from all grade levels took part. With staggered starts, they utilized the new walking path that was installed on the middle school campus last June. “Wear white; leave bright” was the mantra and the BMS Home School Association did not disappoint. They not only supplied the color powders, but also had the pleasure of throwing it on the runners as they completed their first and second laps.

The BMS Color Run raised a total of $705, all of which was donated to the American Heart Association. Katie Farina, the AHA Development Director for School Engagement, provided prizes such as t-shirts, water bottles and more, for the top three finishers in each grade. Winners also received a gift card from Penguin Ice Cream, a local Bernardsville business. Congratulations to the following students who earned 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place respectively: 

• 8th Grade: Jeison Lopez Marroquin, Grace Healy, Callie McCormick

• 7th Grade: Danny Lopez, Grace Flaherty, Poppy Pickett

• 6th Grade: Daniel Rimassa, Bryce Shaver, Jacob Pooler

• 5th Grade: Nicholas Ferruggia, Fionn Regan, Aubrey Kane

While the house that won was Rutgers, the real winners were all of the participants who chose to go outside to breathe in the fresh, fall air, and get their hearts pumping and blood flowing, thus reaping the benefits of cardiovascular health! "BMS appreciates the relationship we have with the American Heart Association,” shared BMS Principal Lisa Garofalo. “Ms. Farina, Mrs. St. Ours and Mrs. Oliveira have made an important impact on our school community in fostering heart health awareness."

On the horizon, the middle school PE Department is planning another family fitness night that will surely be a hit. Stay tuned for information about a Glow Night open to 5th and 6th graders and their families. Additionally, Heart Health Week kicks off in February where there will be a ton of daily activities, and where students will learn the critical and life-saving steps of hands-only CPR.

Special thanks to the following SHSD staff who assisted Oliveira and St. Ours with the BMS Color Run: Lisa Garofalo, Keith Koellhoffer, Annie O’Halloran, Jackie Pistilli-Urena, Phil Mahlik and Michael Filieri.