LAYTON -- Most students in Davis County are done with school until fall, but a couple of schools have students braving the hot days in the classroom as they finish up their year-round course before letting out for the summer.
Lincoln Elementary in Layton, as one of those year-round schools, rewarded its students Tuesday for keeping up the hard work through June with an Olympic day complete with flags from other countries, six field events, two track events and ribbons for the winners.
Margene Burgener, the school's physical education teacher for the past 10 years, helped come up with the idea years ago. It was such a hit, they've continued each year.
"We wanted to make the Olympics important to them and see how they train," Burgener said.
She starts training with the kids each year as soon as the weather warms up.
One of the events the students train for is javelin throwing. Because they are elementary students, they use a plastic javelin.
Burgener said one of her students can throw the plastic javelin about 85 feet, so the javelin performs a lot like the real thing.
Students learn how to throw a shot put, with the older kids using an actual metal ball and the younger ones using a 6-pound medicine ball.
They also perform a softball throw, discus throw, long jump and standing long jump. Other events include the 50-meter and 100-meter dashes.
Most schools participate in the presidential physical fitness challenge, but Lincoln Elementary wanted to do something different, Burgener said.
For the school's principal, Christine Whitaker, the day of fun is the extra boost the kids need to get through the last month of school.
"I think it does help them academically, because it gives them a goal to look forward to after core testing is done, since they need the extra motivation to keep on track during June," Whitaker said.
"It has made a big difference this year, especially when some of their brothers and sisters are already home from school."
One of the most surprising results from the Olympic field day has been watching the outstanding efforts of kids who don't normally shine in the academic world, she said.
Sheri Lamb, a member of the office administration who has been on the planning committee for the event since its creation, agrees.
"I like it because there are kids who excel in regular schoolwork, but there are other kids who excel in events like this kind of thing, and we want all kids to shine," she said.
"We have also found that, when they hit junior high, they aren't afraid to go out for track because they've done it here."
The students have been looking forward to the Olympic event all year, especially third-grader Elizabeth Cova.
"So far, I like that I get to race, which I love doing because it gives you exercise," Elizabeth said. "I don't really like school because sometimes my head starts hurting, but it's not hurting today because I'm doing something that I love."
Even the students' parents were looking forward to the day. That includes Teresa Anderson, of Layton, who has a second-grader and a fifth-grader at the school.
"They were so excited that I even bought new shoes for them so they could run faster," Anderson said.
"I think it's good, because it has got an Olympic feel and is geared toward the kids, with flags and different events."
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