Girls on the Run is a program designed to support girls in developing confidence, and the ability to advocate for themselves and others. Denkmann Elementary School adopted the program this school year and uses its curriculum designed for girls in 3rd through 5th grade thanks to the financial help from the Denkmann PTA and Rock Island-Milan Booster Club.

 

Twice a week the girls in the program meet for a lesson in emotions, friendships, and other social areas (most of which try to tie in a physical activity along with the lesson). Several of the lessons are geared around organizing a community project. One of their community projects this year was to hold a lemonade stand and donate the money to the Rock Island-Milan Booster Club and the Rock Island High School Cheerleaders. 

 

The girls also train for a 5k together that they ran back in April. The Rocky cheerleaders were there to cheer them on. 

 

"We have really worked on cheering each other on and finding our inner positivity," said Janine Olson, a teacher at Denkmann Elementary School.