Politicians often talk about wars. On poverty, on drugs, on the cause of the moment. Wars, however, seem adversarial by nature. Right and wrong. Good and bad.

The newly established Philipsburg- Osceola Parent Teacher Organization, however, wants to make things more of a race. A race, after all, isn’t a tug-of-war. It’s a bunch of people pointed in the same direction, with the same goal, all trying to get there as fast as possible. There aren’t casualties or collateral damage in a race, and the finish line never moves.

The three P-O elementary schools brought their PTOs together last year to run together with a common goal instead of working in smaller groups for their own schools. They wanted the same things: to provide experiences that would augment and support the learning environments at the schools, and to have parents and educators work together for the common good of the students.

After a year, organizers say the partnership is working well. The modest budget set for the first year let the three schools all have special programs, trips, field days, Santa’s Workshops and book fairs. The focus now is on keeping it all running smoothly in the future.

That’s why the PTO is establishing its first Race for Education, a 5K run/walk on July 14. Registration starts at 7 a.m., with walkers leaving at 8 a.m. and runners at 9 a.m. Advanced registration is available online at the school district’s website, www.pomounties.org. Advanced fees are $15 for walkers and $20 for runners, with day-of registration being $20 for walkers and $25 for runners.

Funds raised will go along with the money the PTO raises through the General Mills Box Tops for Education and Campbell’s Labels programs, and its student-participating sales, to provide things like assemblies and field trips during the school year.

So while anyone from children younger than 10 to seniors older than 60 are welcome to strap on their running shoes and go for the gold, the real winners will be P-O students.

Lori Falce writes weekly about the Rush Township/ Philipsburg area. Send comments to lorifalce@gmail.com.