ALLEGAN COUNTY, Mich.-- It's a unique way to raise money for the school and get a laugh out of students at the same time. On Thursday, the principal and three teachers from Dorr Elementary School in Allegan County are sleeping on the roof.
Principal Kevin Zaschack along with fourth grade teachers Chris TerVree and Caleb Campbell and paraprofessional Aaron VanHouten are sleeping on the roof of the school as part of their annual Cat Walk fundraiser. They raised $11,400 for things like computer reading programs and other school necessities.
"I'm not a camper," said principal Kevin Zaschak. "The Holiday Inn is my version of camping."
It's no Holiday Inn, that's for sure, but Zaschak is wearing his rubber duckie footie pajamas and making the best of it.
"Like every educator, it's all about the kids," said Zaschak. "Anything we can do to make it fun and special."
"We really didn't decide to do it," said fourth grade teacher Chris TerVree. "We just kind of got roped into it by [Zaschak]. He's scared of the night so we're here for support."
"Kevin is a great administrator," said fourth grade teacher Caleb Campbell. "He's a great leader for us and a lot of us would do anything for him. This is one of those things.
The four men will be greeting their students from the roof Friday morning for pajama and movie day. At least one of them, Zaschak, is already dressed the part.
"We get so bogged down with the academic component and test scores," said Zaschak. "I do this stuff all of the time. This is what I love to do and I do it for the kids. Anything we could do to make it fun for them is truly why we do it."
As for what the students will come up with next year, the sky is truly the limit.
"The other option was getting kissed by a pig, so I'm not sure where next year will take us," said Zaschak. "I don't know. There's a higher roof up there so maybe we'll sleep on the other peak next year."
Zaschak along with the three other teachers passed the time watching baseball on an iPad. The only thing they have to worry about until the morning is sleep walking, using the bathroom and keeping warm.