BY KARISSA MILLER

More than 100 runners will explore the new Woodland Heights Middle school campus during the school’s first annual Back the Braves 5K run on May 1.

The race route, which will run through some of the back lots and follow the outline of the school property, will take place rain or shine at 9 a.m.

According to Parent Teacher Student Organization President Shannon Stanley, participants will have staggered start times and will be split up into groups to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Students and parents are encouraged to wear their face masks when participants cannot maintain six feet of social distancing.

Each participants will receive a commemorative finishers medal and a custom T-shirt. The race is untimed, but there will be a clock at the start and finish line so participants will know their times.

According to Stanley, registration to the 5K is now closed due to capacity limits.

However, the PTSO also has a Virtual 5K option. With the virtual option, runners will run the 5K on their own and email/screen shot their efforts to be included in the results.

This event benefits the PTSO. It’s the primary fundraiser for the middle school and will be used to purchase classroom supplies and other items the school needs.

School Tours 

Katherine Moose, who is also helping head up the efforts at the school, said the school staff will offer small group tours of their school. The students moved into their new building in August 2020.

“It’s an opportunity for students and parent to take a look around because we weren’t able to have our usual open houses due to COVID-19,” Moose explained.

“We are excited to be in this new building and hoping to see everyone back in person and get a little bit more normal in-person. We want to get kids excited about a new fresh start in a new building,” she added.

The tours will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Parents of current of prospective parents can sign up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c4eacac23a2f49-whms for a tour time.

To find out more about Woodland Heights Middle, check out https://brawley.issnc.org

About Woodland Heights Middle

About 620 students attend the school, including about 95 percent who are learning in person. The school is located at 272 Forest Lake Boulevard, Mooresville. The number is 704-664-4430.