Thank you to everyone for making our 2024 Oak Walkathon a success!  If you are new to Oak or want to learn more about the event check out the 2024 FAQ below.

FAQs for 2024 Oak Walkathon

What is the Oak Walkathon?
The Walkathon is a beloved tradition at Oak that combines school spirit and community building with student-driven fundraising. It’s a fun way for Oak students to get active and get involved in raising money for events like Field Day, Junior Olympics, Science Fair, and field trips. This year, students can collect donations or pledges for each lap they commit to walk.  Most importantly, the Walkathon is an opportunity for students to learn about working together and making a difference in their school community.  

How does it work?
In the month of September, students can set their own goal for walking 5K, 10K, or 15K.  They can also gather pledges/donations from their friends, family, and community to support the successful completion of their goal on a course designed to measure those distances. Students should collect pledges/donations via the fundraising platform (see below). Walkathon t-shirts will be distributed to all students by early October.  

Regardless of how many pledges/donations they’ve gathered, all Oak students are encouraged to wear their shirts and show up at the Oak school fields on October 5 at 9am to walk the designated course together. 

Families and friends are encouraged to come cheer on the students. Volunteers will help the students mark and track their completed laps. Medals, snacks, fun activities, and much more are provided to celebrate everyone’s efforts!

How does Walkathon fundraising work?
Walkathon is such a special event because students are empowered to raise funds for their school resources and events.  Here’s how students should use the fundraising platform:

1. Please complete the free registration for your student(s).  Upon registration, you can create a customized URL (you can use your student’s name).  The customized URL will be your student’s personal fundraising page.  It includes strong privacy/security measures and simplifies payment collection by Oak PTA. 
    
2. Make sure to provide your email address and select your student’s teacher.  We will have some friendly competition between classes.
    
3. Keep the Walkathon info that is already filled out on your student’s fundraising page.  Or feel free to edit content and upload images by following these simple steps.
    
4. Share your fundraising page with friends, relatives, neighbors, community members, etc.  Students should explain why we are raising funds and why it’s important to them.  They can also share how many laps or what distance they plan to accomplish to help their donors set lap pledges.

People can also go to our main Walkathon fundraising site or text “Oak” to (833)755-6550.  This lets them select a student or “team” (aka class) to donate to.  Donors will get an email of their receipt.  Lap pledges will only be charged once the student’s laps have been recorded at the conclusion of the Walkathon.

Note that donor tipping is optional.  Opt out by selecting “Other.”

Alternatively, checks can be made out to “Oak PTA” with “Walkathon” in the memo line and sent to Oak Avenue Elementary School, 1501 Oak Ave, Los Altos, CA 94024.
 

Can I drop off my kids?  Who is responsible for the care of my kids during the event

Please note that parents/guardians must be present and assume all responsibility for their children during the event, including supervising or preventing participation in activities as they judge appropriate.  Also, parents must accept that photos taken at the Walkathon, some of which may include their children, may be shared with others in the Oak School community.  By participating in the Walkathon, parents grant their express permission for such photos to be taken and shared with the Oak School community. 

When and where is the Oak Walkathon?
The Oak Walkathon will take place on Saturday, October 5th in the morning (exact times TBD by early September) on the Oak school fields. 

Can non-Oak student siblings participate in the Walkathon?
Yes! Siblings can participate!  No pre-registration is required as parents should assume all responsibility for their children during the event.  However, sending a heads up about sibling participation to oak-walkathon@googlegroups.com is appreciated.  On the day of the Walkathon, siblings should head to the check-in table as “vintage” t-shirts may be available (while supplies last).  

Do you need volunteers?
Yes!  To make this event possible, we need the help of nearly 200 parent volunteers.  This is a great event to help at if you are a working parent since it is on a Saturday.  Check out the volunteer roles/shifts and sign up by clicking this link (TBD in early Sept).  

We also welcome middle/high school students to help out during the event.  Parent consent and sign-ups for student alumni volunteers can be found at this link (TBD in early Sept).

Do you need sponsors?
Yes!  We appreciate the generosity of businesses who partner with our families and students to meet our fundraising goals.  Contributions will go towards the many PTA-funded events and supplies that provide an exemplary school experience for over 300 students and their families.  With a contribution*, sponsors will receive:

• their logo on the Walkathon tshirt provided to all Oak students and staff
• visibility on printed and digital event communications (including the pledge website and Oak School website)
• brand awareness across 400+ households in Los Altos and Mountain View

Sponsorship sign-ups are available here. This form is due on September 4, 2024 along with logo file and payment.  Payment can be sent via PayPal to fundraising.oakpta@gmail.com.  Checks should be made out to "Oak PTA" and can be dropped off or mailed to the Oak office c/o Oak PTA Financial Secretary, Oak Avenue School, 1501 Oak Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94024.  For more information, contact oak-walkathon@googlegroups.com.

Will there be food at the Walkathon?
Yes, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase at the Walkathon Cafe! There will also be “Pocket People” on the course selling popular treats.  All food/treat purchases will be done with tickets that will be available for purchase AT the event in $1/$5/$10 denominations (cash only).  Additionally, healthy snacks and water along the lap course will be provided to the kids to keep them hydrated and fueled up.

What should we wear to the Walkathon?
Kids should wear their Walkathon t-shirt to the event and sturdy shoes for walking.

Will this be a fun event?
Yes!  This is a wonderful community event that is a great tradition at Oak school.  We hope you will attend!

Nice FAQs but I still have questions/concerns.  Who can I talk to?
Feel free to reach out to the Oak Walkathon Co-chairs at oak-walkathon@googlegroups.com.