Canton Intermediate Students Raise More Than $8,000 for Children's Medical Center

For the sixth year, students, staff and parents at participated in an annual Rock-A-Thon to raise money for Connecticut Children's Medical Center. 

In all, the students raised $8,221 this year prior and during the event, which was held on Saturday, May 12. In previous years, the school had donated a total of more than $50,000.

Started by Christine Stepensky and Kate Carpenter, sixth-grade teachers no longer at the school, the effort has been taken over by their successors, Jen Weinberg and Tracey Reichen. 

Students form teams for the event and get sponsors for their time "rockin'" in rocking chair. It also includes a host of activities from face and nail painting, dancing, live animals, a dunk tank and more. Numerous teachers and parents were on hand Saturday to help with the activities. 

In addition to the activities on Saturday, classes at the school held a penny war to raise money and have a little friendly competition. The school also showed movies to raise funds, charging a $5 admission. Many local businesses also pitched in with food or prizes for an event raffle.

"I just love how everyone in the CIS community — students, staff, parents, even local restaurants and businesses — play a big role," Weinberg said. 

"I love it because it teaches the kids the importance of giving back," Weinberg added. "It's a fun day too."