OAKLAND, Maine — Even though not everyone can go to the Olympics, either to compete or simply watch, one school district in Maine isn't letting that stop them.
Staff within the RSU 18 school district in Oakland decided to create the summer Olympic Passport program as a way to get kids out and about during school break.
Physical education teacher Krystal Blaisdell said the idea stemmed from a staff group that formed to get employees more active. After hosting their own Olympic passport program amongst themselves a few years ago, they wanted to then include everyone this year.
"I hope many students are getting the chance to watch the Olympics. And if they aren't, we have this," Blaisdell said, motioning to the Olympic Passport slip.
At the beginning of the summer, all students went home with a copy of the Olympic Passport program. Students are encouraged to check off as many activities they can in order to win either a metaphorical bronze, silver, or gold medal.
If students check off a certain number of activities on their sheet, they can trade in their slip for a prize and the end of the summer.
Whether it be an Olympian or a familiar face around town, Superintendent Carl Gartley said being able to exemplify good role models is what the program is about at its core.
"The nice thing about these challenges for the staff is that it allows them—and they do such a good job at this in so many ways—is they're able to model these behaviors," Gartley said. "You have staff out there doing it, you have kids out there doing it ... and challenging yourself to do something different outside of your comfort zone."
Each activity also centers around certain qualities an Olympian might have, such as athleticism or mindfulness.