{"id":11851,"date":"2024-02-12T09:19:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T14:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=11851"},"modified":"2024-02-12T10:59:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T15:59:30","slug":"students-and-staff-take-the-plunge-for-a-good-cause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/students-and-staff-take-the-plunge-for-a-good-cause\/","title":{"rendered":"Students and staff take the plunge for a good cause"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Bus drivers, teachers and students recently felt the invigorating chill of community service by participating in the Cool School Challenge and Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics.<\/p>\n

The Cool School Challenge raises support for Unified Champions School programming, free year-round sports, competitions, leadership opportunities and health services to more than 21,000 athletes of all abilities. Virginia Beach City Public Schools raised $89,980 this year, 60 percent of which came from the Plaza Middle School community.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Since 2011, the Plaza community has raised $275,000 for the Special Olympics. Plaza science teacher Karen Quick said students created their fundraising page through the school team site. They also competed in grade level competitions, raised money at sporting concessions and sold penguin stickers, temporary tattoos and croc charms. This year, Plaza’s team was made up of 300 staff and students.<\/p>\n

More than 260 students went to the oceanfront to participate in the Polar Plunge on Feb. 2. Before the mad dash to the ocean, students had a party under a tent on the beach, where they danced to music from a DJ, participated in a costume contest, enjoyed free hot chocolate from Wawa and got to hear from a Special Olympics athlete.<\/p>\n

The top three VBCPS student fundraisers were all Plaza Trojans:<\/p>\n