WAITSBURG—With the pandemic’s hardships in mind, Waitsburg Elementary set a goal of $2,500 for the annual Jump for Heart fundraiser. Superintendent Mark Pickel was pleased to share that the students raised a whopping $5,138, shattering the school’s record.

This year, the event was held on two days, so Group A students and Group B students could participate during their respective in-person instruction days.

To celebrate, the school will be hosting a pizza party for the highest-earning class, Mrs. Coulston’s fourth grade, in the upcoming weeks.

Last year, Pickel said he had agreed to be duct-taped to the wall if students met the goal. Luckily for Pickel, after the pandemic hit, duct-taping a school principal was not allowed under COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. And students were unable to extract the prize.

Superintendent Pickel may have narrowly escaped the duct tape last year, but he won’t be so lucky this year. On March 1st and 4th, giving both Group A and Group B students a chance, the top-earning students from each elementary class will have the opportunity to spray Silly String on Mr. Pickel.

At the February school board meeting, Pickel shared that he is extremely proud of the students and their friends and family who supported the fundraiser. Silly String, notwithstanding, he’s looking forward to celebrating with the students.