Monday, August 26, 2019
By Brian Foley, Web Content Specialist
Now in its 12th year, Milwaukee Public Schools' annual Run Back to School race is firmly entrenched as an end-of-summer staple within the southeastern Wisconsin community.
On Saturday, Aug. 24, exactly 1,000 MPS alumni, teachers, administrators, parents, students, local politicians, and Milwaukee neighbors all attended the 5K run/1.5-mile walk to support MPS' growth and kick off the new school year.
"One of my favorite aspects of Run Back to School is the sense of community surrounding this event," MPS superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley said. "We appreciate the many community members and neighborhood friends who participate, [and] the event would not be complete without our many alumni who show their MPS pride and support the MPS community."
Proceeds from the event are used to support school-based athletic programs and youth recreation scholarships so all students have an opportunity to succeed in and out of the classroom.
"The money that we raised today through your participation goes right back into our schools to help build extracurricular programming," Milwaukee Recreation senior director Lynn Greb said on Saturday.
Not only does the RBTS bring together thousands of community members each year, it has a lasting impact that survives well into each school year as well. This year, 14 school community groups rallied teams with at least 20 participants, making them eligible for a $500 grant to support a sport or wellness in their school. The eligible teams were: Academy of Accelerated Learning; Burdick; Fernwood Montessori; Highland Community School; Longfellow; MacDowell Montessori; Milwaukee German Immersion; Morgandale; Washington; and Whittier. Congratulations to our grant winners!
In the past, schools have used the grant funds for new gym and sports equipment, new uniforms, sports registration fees, the rental of the Wacky Wheels Skate Van for its students, and so much more.
The race, which went up Washington Blvd., swirled through Washington Park, and finished on Vliet St. next to Wick Playfield, was another competitive battle between local runners. Caleb Kleman, a team leader for the education non-profit City Year Milwaukee, ultimately broke through the finish line tape first with a time of 19:42, and has now won each of the past two Run Back to School 5K races.
City Year Milwaukee works in 13 different MPS schools each year, so Kleman understands the importance of strengthening youth sports and recreation around the community. "This is an opportunity to go out and run, and support the students and the Milwaukee Public Schools district," he said following Saturday's race.
"It's about supporting the whole child. Academics is part of that, but physical fitness, learning teamwork, communication, and perseverance are all skills you learn from sports and the arts. I think that is really important in a child's education."
Kleman worked at Rogers Street Academy last year, and will move to the Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School this fall.
The 2019 Run Back to School was made possible with generous support from United Healthcare; Educators Credit Union; Voya Financial; boks/Reebok; Goodwill Industries; Gruber Law Offices; NVA; YMCA; Grand Canyon University; Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company; Aurora Health Care; Arena Americas; and Milwaukee County Parks.
Thank you to all of our sponsors for this year's event, as well as our participants and our volunteers. View our 2019 photo gallery here. We look forward to seeing you next year to celebrate the 13th annual edition of the run!