Bruins on the Run is a Bartlesville Public Schools program funded by the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation.
The program is a voluntary after-school mentoring and running program for fifth grade students at all six BPS elementary schools. Participation is intended to increase focus in the classroom, create positive relationships between students and their teacher mentors, and improve relationships between students at different school sites before they enter a common middle school.
Bruins on the Run is loosely based on the structure of the successful Run the Streets program that uses mentoring and long distance running to provide a positive impact on its participants. It was started thanks to a generous Community Collaboration Grant from the Bartlesville Community Foundation. Since its inception in the fall of 2018, its funding has been sustained courtesy of generous community donors and local grants. 2023 marks the start of the fifth season (due to a 1 year hiatus during COVID).
It is offered as an initial eight-week session from the end of August to mid-October, culminating with the Woolaroc 8K. Depending on funding and interest, the program often offers a spring mini-session to the students who completed the fall season. The spring season runs February-March, culminating with the KLife 10K.
During the program, participants run with teacher mentors on trails next to their respective school sites.
The BPS Foundation covers all costs to participate in the program: top of the line running shoes, t-shirts, race registrations, snacks, and awards.
“Bruins on the Run is a great opportunity to bring our schools together while utilizing resources already established in our community. This program is having a very positive impact on our fifth graders and their mentors.” – Chuck McCauley, Superintendent, Bartlesville Public Schools District.
The program compliments the Superintendent’s Wellness Initiative where he and his wife sponsor the Woolaroc 8K at a level that allows all BPS staff to participate in the race at a dramatically discounted price.
Help us sustain this program:
Financial Contributions:
Send a check, payable to “Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation” to BPS Foundation at 1100 S. Jennings, Bartlesville OK 74003, note “BOTR” in the memo line.
Contribute online through the BPS Foundation website
Text to Give: “BOTR” to 44-321
$50 covers the cost of a pair of shoes for one student
$250 covers all costs for one student to participate
We need continued support to keep this program free to all student participants.
In-kind Contributions – We always accept the following:
- Kids running shorts, shirts, and socks (sizes 8-12)
- Bottled water
- Healthy snacks – granola bars, raisins, apple sauce, fresh fruit, etc…. (must be nut-free and only accepted in-season (Aug-Oct))
If you’d like to support this program, contact the BPS Foundation office at 918-336-8600 ext 3523. Thank you!