Hat Parade
"Horizon students gather for school-wide assembly wearing crazy hats with an Easter/Spring Theme.Hat ParadePosted on April 3, 2026
Our school’s annual Spring Hat Parade was held Thursday, April 2 before Spring Break.
Below are some pictures:
For the full photo gallery, click here to access Horizon’s Canto photo gallery and use the password provided in the ParentSquare post.
Post Views: 165
Last Modified April 3, 2026
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2026 Running is Elementary Video and Photo Gallery
"Race day for the annual Running is Elementary, sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation, was a little windy, but gorgeous: just enough sunshine, just enough warmth, and the raindrops held off until all the races were over.
This year was one of the biggest yet with 700+ students from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools.
The one mile run is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School.
Fourth and fifth graders are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school then train with the runners for the 6-week club culminating in the one mile race. More than 700 students participated this year!
This picture of two 4th grade runners exemplifies what RIE is all about.
These two boys were running neck and neck all the way to the finish line vying for first place.
After the race, the Disney boy (dark navy t-shirt) went out of his way to find the Moran runner (pink shirt) so they could take a picture together.
The students being from two different schools had never met before, but in that moment, it didn’t matter.
Running is Elementary not only teaches students about fitness and wellness, it also teaches them sportsmanship, connection and the importance of supporting and celebrating each other!
Click to see the list below of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners only for the four races. The list shows finish times listed by bib number and school. Parents should contact their school coach for their child’s specific time.
What makes this event so special is that students are cheered on by their fellow students, families, teachers, running coaches, principals, PHM School Board members and administrators, principals, and other PHM staff members. A photo gallery sample is below, but click here to visit the full photo gallery in the Education Foundation’s Canto photo portal.
Below are the times for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners:
Race Results:
5th Grade Girls Winners
06:49.07, Bib # 244, Northpoint
06:50.53, Bib # 235, Northpoint
07:05.08, Bib # 187, Mary Frank
School Team Rankings:
Horizon
Mary Frank
Northpoint
5th Grade Boys Winners
06:14.75, Bib # 597, Northpoint
06:16.06, Bib # 650, Madison
06:29.29, Bib # 590, Northpoint
School Team Rankings:
Northpoint
Horizon
Elm Road
4th Grade Girls Winners
07:06.27, Bib # 62, Horizon
07:30.09, Bib # 31, Elm Road
07:31.47, Bib # 75, Mary Frank
School Team Rankings:
Prairie Vista
Northpoint
Bittersweet
4th Grade Boys Winners:
06:34.34, Bib # 438, Walt Disney
06:34.73, Bib # 392, Moran
06:48.85, Bib # 402, Northpoint
School Team Rankings:
Northpoint
Bittersweet
Elm Road
Here’s a breakdown of the shirt colors:
Bittersweet
Yellow
Elm Road
Kelly Green
Elsie Rogers
Teal
Horizon
Orange
Madison
Purple
Mary Frank
Lime Green
Meadow’s Edge
Turquoise
Moran
Hot Pink
Northpoint
Royal Blue
Prairie Vista
Red
Walt Disney
Navy Blue
Thank you to Cindy Batalis (physical education teacher at Mary Frank Elementary School) whose own love for running and her desire to pass that love on is the passion and brain child behind Running is Elementary. Thank you to all the PHM teachers, running coaches, school staff, and Penn Cross Country student-athletes who help out every year, along with P-H-M Education Foudation Board members and volunteers.
Thank you PHMEF and all their amazing sponsors that make this event possible for our students:
Martin’s donated the post race snacks
Royal Excursion donated transportation to auxiliary parking lots
Benchmark Family Services helped PHMEF offset costs
Culver’s provided gift baskets for a prize drawing
Kona Ice and Tom’s Coffee did givebacks
Attorney Katy Wrona was also a sponsor
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