Girls on the Run

April 1, 2025 News

Silver Oak, Let's Show Our Support!

Our Girls on the Run team is working hard, completing their 5th week of a 10-week program, and they would love our support to reach their goals! We are so proud of these friendly, fun, considerate, and high-energy girls who are training for their upcoming 5K. For many of them, this will be their first 5K, and whether they run, walk, or skip across that finish line, it will be an unforgettable achievement! 

Let's come together as a community to cheer them on and celebrate their dedication. Here are two fantastic opportunities to get involved:

Support our Team at the Practice 5K - Monday, April 14 at Silver Oak Track

Everyone at Silver Oak is invited to our Girls on the Run Practice 5K! Principal Cardona, teachers, staff, GOTR families, join us at the Silver Oak track on Wednesday, April 14, starting around 2:30 p.m. (after the girls' arrival and warmups). We are looking for volunteers to run with the girls, cheer them on, mark laps, hold encouraging signs, manage the finish line, take photos, and give high-fives!

Cheer our Team or Run at the 5K Event - Saturday, May 17 at Vasona Park

Join us in celebrating the amazing accomplishments of these girls! Come cheer them on or register to run alongside them on May 17 at Vasona Park. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.gotrsv.org/5k

We hope you can join us!

PRACTICES

When does the program begin? 

Practices begin March 3, 2025.

When are practices and where?

We will meet on the school playground on Monday and Wednesday from 2:30-4 p.m. There will be no GOTR practices during Silver Oak's Spring Break.

What date is the last practice? 

This is a 10-week program. Coaches will let you know the final practice day.

What is Girls on the Run?

Girls on the Run is a 10-week social-emotional after school program that teaches girls and anyone who identifies as a girl critical life skills such as: managing emotions, standing up for themselves and others, and how to be a good friend, all the while training for a celebratory 5K fun run at the end of the season.

What grades can participate?

Girls on the Run is for girls and anyone who identifies as a girl in grades 3-6.

Is there a program fee?

$300. Note: Learn more about the financial assistance options available to families in need during the registration process. Registration fee includes 20 fun lessons and activities, an official GOTR program t-shirt, journal, program keepsake, automatic registration for the 5K  and finisher’s medal.

How do I register my daughter?

Registration for the Silver Oak Girls on the Run team opens online on Saturday, December 7 at 8 a.m. Head to www.gotrsv.org to sign up your daughter. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. A wait list will be available once 15 girls have registered.

Who are the Silver Oak coaches?

Thank you to our 4 coaches so far who have volunteered to work with our students during the Silver Oak Girls on the Run program. These parents have gone through special training with the Girls on the Run organization to be able to bring this program to our school. 

1. Desta Krong (head coach) – Coach Desta
2. Veronica Gardener (teacher at Silver Oak) = Coach Gardener
3. Robin Guzikowski – Coach Robin
4. Vimala Veerappan – Coach Vimala

Ratio is 2 coaches per 15 girls. We will have at least 2 coaches at each session. There will be a waitlist once the applicants reach 15 girls.

How can I become a Girls on the Run coach for Silver Oak?

Email Coach Desta at desta@krongdesign.com for more information.
 

PRACTICES

When does the program begin? 

Practices begin March 3, 2025.

When are practices and where?

We will meet on the school playground on Monday and Wednesday from 2:30-4 p.m. There will be no GOTR practices during Silver Oak's Spring Break.

What date is the last practice? 

This is a 10-week program. Coaches will let you know the final practice day.
 

5K RUN

What is the date, location, and length of the end of season celebratory run? 

The celebratory 5K run takes place on May 17, 2025. The race begins at Vasona Park's Boat Center in Los Gatos. Arrive by 7 a.m.; First wave starts at 8 a.m.

Program participants and coaches are already registered for the 5K and DO NOT need to register.

QUESTIONS?

Email Coach Desta at desta@krongdesign.com.

Registration

Registration for the Silver Oak Girls on the Run team opens online on Saturday, December 7 at 8 a.m. Head to www.gotrsv.org to sign up your daughter. The registration fee includes 20 fun lessons and activities, an official GOTR program t-shirt, journal, program keepsake, automatic registration for the 5K  and finisher’s medal. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. A wait list will be available once 15 girls have registered.

Financial Assistance Programs

Learn more about the financial assistance options available to families in need during the registration process. 

Thank you to our 4 parent coaches for volunteering to work with our students during the Silver Oak Girls on the Run program. These parents have gone through special training with the Girls on the Run organization to be able to bring this program to our school.  Ratio is 2 coaches per 15 girls. We will have at least 2 coaches at each session. There will be a waitlist once the applicants reach 15 girls.

Meet Our 2025 Coaches

Head Coach Desta

Coach Desta has been a running buddy four times for GOTR 5Ks at Golden Gate Park for East Bay Schools, where she fell in love with the Girls on the Run organization. This will be her 3rd season coaching GOTR. She has taught art classes grades 1-6 at Silver Oak Elementary and co-led choreography and set designing/building for Silver Oak’s yearly musicals while her daughter attended Silver Oak. She loves all forms of dance, is an avid trail runner and has participated in many running events including half marathons, full marathons and a 50K ultra. She also loves hiking, cycling, cooking, traveling the world, and spending lots of time with her family & friends. She can’t wait to meet Silver Oak’s new GOTR team, watch them blossom and grow in their confidence, friendships, as supportive teammates and caring community members while having lots of fun together.

Coach Robin

Coach Robin is excited to be a first time coach for Girls on the Run. She has long been an advocate for youth and strongly believes in the confidence gained from working towards challenging goals in a supportive community.   Prior experience includes 12 years as a Girl Scout leader,  martial arts mentor, substitute teacher, and coordinator for a national big brother/big sister program.  In her spare time she enjoys martial arts, skiing, hiking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Coach Gardener

Coach Gardener has been a teacher at Silver Oak for 25 years and is excited to join the Girls on the Run team this year.  She has been enjoying running since high school.  She has also participated in several full and half marathons.  She loves gardening, hiking, art and most of all spending time with family.  As a coach this year she is looking forward to inspiring the girls to believe in themselves and never be afraid to reach for their goals.

Coach Vimala

Vimala is excited to join Girls on the Run as a first-time coach! Running has been a passion of hers since middle school.  She competed in track and cross country in high school, and she is thrilled to share that love of running with her daughter, and now with the Silver Oak GOTR team. Her daughter has been a part of the GOTR program for the past two years, and this is her final year before graduation. Vimala believes Girls on the Run is a powerful program that teaches important values like trust, teamwork, respect, and confidence, all while having fun. As a coach, She is excited to be a mentor and guide the girls as they discover their potential, both on and off the track. She is a technologist at heart, with a love for cooking, traveling, and enjoying good times with family and friends. She can’t wait to be part of this inspiring journey with your girls!