Raccoon Run
2025 Raccoon Run
Thursday, October 9th
Congratulations to Mahveen, our Raccoon Run t-shirt design contest winner!
Last spring, our incoming fifth graders put their creativity to the test by designing logos for this year’s Raccoon Run. Each fourth grade class voted for their favorite design, and those finalists were then presented to the entire student body for a schoolwide vote. We are so excited to celebrate Mahveen, whose amazing design was selected as this year’s winning logo! Congratulations, Mahveen!
Thank you to our wonderful 2025 Raccoon Sponsors!
GOLD SPONSORS
($1,000+)
BRONZE SPONSORS
($250 - $499)
What is the Raccoon Run?
Our annual Raccoon Run is a jog-a-thon style fundraiser. As our primary fundraiser of the year, students and their families are encouraged to reach out to family, friends and neighbors to collect donations in support of our runners. This event not only supports programs in our school, it also encourages physical activity and promotes a sense of community. All students will participate in the Raccoon Run during school hours.
What are we raising money for?
Like many other schools and non-profit organizations, Sato Elementary Community Organization (SECO) relies heavily upon volunteers, donations and generous sponsors to help run the many wonderful activities and programs we put on throughout the year.
These activities and programs include supporting classroom, school, and administrative budgets, Art Literacy, Cultural Night, Oregon Battle of the Books, Popcorn Fridays, teacher appreciation week, field trips, staff dinner for conferences, movie nights, PE and Music equipment, 5th grade celebration, Play.Fit.Fun. and more!
Event Registration
Registration is now open to families!
All students will participate in the Raccoon Run on October 9th during school hours. To help us prepare for the run, we ask that all families register their students on our platform PledgeStar.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT REGISTERING:
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Parents will need to create an account for their families on our fundraising platform PledgeStar. You will need to create a new account, even if you have registered on this platform in previous years.
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PLEASE ONLY REGISTER YOUR STUDENT(S). It is not necessary for parents to register themselves in order to use the platform.
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If you register multiple Sato students under the same family account, all payments received will be split evenly between the registered students. If you wish to create a separate account for each student (instead of a shared family account) you can do so by using a different email address for each student.
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Students in split households can have more than one account (using different email addresses). Combined totals will not be reflected on the student’s fundraising page but will be combined offline for prizes.
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To be counted towards classroom prizes, students need to be registered by Tuesday, September 30th. Families can still register after this date, but it will not count towards their student’s classroom total for earning prizes.
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See the PRIZES section below for more information on classroom and student prize opportunities.
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To be considered “registered” a parent must:
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Create a family account
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Add their students as joggers
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Send out one donation request (self requests allowed). Students do not need to receive a donation to be registered.
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Prizes
Students have the opportunity to earn prizes both as part of their class and individually.
CLASS PRIZES:
We will be tracking the percentage of students in each class that register on our donation platform – PledgeStar. To earn a classroom prize, parents must create an online profile for each student and send out one donation request (self requests allowed). Students do not need to receive a donation to be registered. Classes will earn a prize once they hit 75%, 90% and 100% student registration by Friday, October 3rd. Students can still register after this time, but it will not count towards their classroom prizes.
Students can track their classroom's progress on the entry TV near the elevator.
75% class registration: Fidget for every student
90% class registration: 30-minute in-class movie with freshly popped popcorn
100% class registration: photoshoot with our mascot!
(link provided to families for download)
INDIVIDUAL PRIZES:
We will also be tracking the total amount each student raises. Students will earn an individual prizes at multiple price points for the total funds raised by Friday, October 17th. Families can track their individual progress on their family PledgeStar page.
Please note: Employer donation matches can take up to 60 days to be received and may not be reflected on the online platform right away. Total prize counts will be done a few weeks after the event to allow for final donations and employer matches to be received.
$50 raised: Sato Heads & Tails Coin Game
$100 raised: Invite only movie night
(includes pizza, candy and snacks for student and one adult)
$200 raised: Silly string staff members during recess
$300 raised: Raccoon Run Swag Bag full of fun prizes
$500 raised: Student's can participate in a Raccoon Report!
(choose the final raccoon video, read a special section, or have a special highlight).
$750 raised: Student's get to have lunch with Mrs. Pleau and/or Ms. Parker!
Donation Matching
Many employers offer corporate matching for nonprofit donations meaning your employer may match your donation for free! Those matches will count towards your students’ prizes and allow you to double your impact in contributing to programs supporting our school! HOWEVER, most company matching features take between 4-8 weeks to process donations and notify the school. For that reason, we need your help to accurately track matching donations for student prizes!
Please either:
Select the Company Donation Match box when you submit your donation (see picture below)
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Email raccoonrun@satocommunity.org with subject line “Donation Match”. Please include your student’s name, classroom teacher, and a receipt, report, or confirmation email from your employer detailing the match you have requested. A volunteer will manually process these requests, so please allow 48 hours for your donation to be reflected in PledgeStar.
Do you or a family member have an employer matching program?
If so, be sure to check the "Company Donation Match" box when making a donation on PledgeStar!
Ask your employer if your company offers employer donation matching and help increase your impact on our school.
If you don’t see SECO on your employer’s donation platform or if you have any questions, please email:
Volunteering
We need a large number of volunteers to make this event happen! If you are an approved volunteer by the Beaverton School District, please consider signing up to volunteer.
Event Setup: Help setup event stations (canopies, tables, signs, etc.) **Please note the earlier start time of this shift**
Mascot: Dress up in mascot costume and interact with kids
Mascot Assistant: Assist mascot with costume and escort around event grounds
Lap Stations: Assist at lap stations warming up runners and handing out lap counters
Water Station: Assist with refilling water dispensers and cups and handing out water to kids
Viewing Area: Check-in visitors for viewing area and monitor attendees **Please note the earlier start time of this shift**
Snack Tent: Help distribute otter pops to students after their run
Event Teardown: Help teardown canopies, tables, decor, and supplies
When available, you'll be able to sign up to volunteer through ParentSquare (linked above). We kindly ask volunteers to commit to the entire shift. Please do not request a partial shift. This volunteer opportunity is only available to those who have passed their background check through the Raptor System. Please be sure your name is correct on your ParentSquare account (matches your Raptor application) or you will be removed from the signup list.
How to Watch the Run
We welcome and encourage everyone to attend the Raccoon Run and help cheer on our runners!
Premium Viewing Gallery
Family & Friends Fenceline Viewing
We are offering two ways to watch the run:
1. The Family & Friends Fence Line Viewing area along the sidewalk in the drop-off/pick-up area. This viewing area is behind the permanent fence and is available at no charge. Viewing spots are on a first come basis, no seating is provided.
2. The Premium Viewing Gallery area along the track behind security fencing. Admission price of $5 per person (ages 5+) for all day viewing.
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No background check is needed to enter the secured Premium Viewing Gallery.
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Admission tickets to Premium Viewing Gallery are non-transferable and non-refundable.
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Viewing spots are on a first come basis. Seats are not provided.
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The school and track/field are closed to visitors - including those in the Premium Viewing Gallery. No restrooms are available during the event.
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Check-in for the Premium Viewing Gallery is a the gate at the far side of the track and field fence (closest to the driveway entrance).
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Space permitting, entry tickets to the Premium Viewing Gallery can be made at the event (cash only).
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Purchases of admission tickets will not be credited to your families/student's fundraising efforts.
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Proceeds from all ticket sales go directly to the Raccoon Run and SECO fundraising.
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If you have any questions, please email events@satocommunity.org.
Run/Viewing Times
for Each Grade:
3rd Grade (7:55 AM - 8:40 AM)
4th Grade (8:40 AM - 9:25 AM)
5th Grade (9:25 AM - 10:10 AM)
Kinder (11:50 AM - 12:35 PM)
1st Grade (12:40 PM - 1:25 PM)
2nd Grade (1:30 PM - 2:15 PM)
Sponsor a Song
Want a fun way to surprise your student during the run?
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Choose a song to play during your student's grade's run time.
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Only five songs available to purchase per grade - once they are sold out, they are gone!
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Include a "shout out" with your song (i.e., "We know you'll do amazing Tommy. Love Mom & Dad"). Limited to 500 characters.
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Student's Name and Teacher will be stated before each shout out.
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Songs and shout outs must be approved by the events team.
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Please review the lyrics for appropriateness—making sure themes, language, and content are suitable for elementary aged children—before submitting your song request.
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We reserve the right to refuse songs based on popularity, lyrics, length, or duplicate requests. If refused, you will be asked to pick an alternate song.
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Song must be around 3 minutes or less.
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Purchased songs will play during grade's warm up or during lap times.
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One purchase buys one song for one grade.
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Purchased songs will not be credited to your families/student's fundraising efforts.
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Proceeds from all sales go directly to the Raccoon Run and SECO fundraising.
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If you have any questions, please email raccoonrun@satocommunity.org.
Event FAQ
Have a question about the Raccoon Run? Please review the information below on frequently asked questions. If you still have a questions, please email raccoonrun@satocommunity.org.