South Butler Intermediate Elementary School Principal Richard Cavett was taped to the wall after the students raised more than $29,000 at their annual Laps for Learning event in September. Cavett told the students they could duct tape him to the wall if they raised more than $25,000.

JEFFERSON TWP — Standing in pairs with long strands of duct tape, students at South Butler Intermediate Elementary slowly taped their principal to the gym wall Friday morning after raising more than $29,000 in September at an annual PTO fundraiser.

Principal Richard Cavett told students they could duct tape him to a wall if they raised more than $25,000 during their annual Laps for Learning event.

And a promise is a promise after all.

“I felt like a moth inside a cocoon,” Cavett said of the experience.

The assembly Friday was a follow-up to the Sept. 18 fundraiser. Many of the 385 fourth- and fifth-graders found sponsors to donate, including residents and businesses, giving money for each lap around the track they made. They surpassed last year's record and raised $29,057.

The PTO likely will use some of the money to pay for storage cubbies, fund assemblies and field trips. In past years, the money was used to buy smartboards for each of the school's 16 classrooms, playground equipment and other capital improvements.

“It all goes back to the students, which is what makes this fundraiser so valuable,” said Jill Walls, the school's PTO president. “It's unbelievable we can raise that much money in a one-day function.”

Cavett said there was a bigger lesson for students to learn in the activity that went beyond raising money.

“I wanted to show the students what they can do when they work together and have a common goal,” he said.

He said such a lesson can be applied in just about any facet of life, in childhood and throughout adulthood.

Each of the 385 students took turns, holding long ropes of duct tape in pairs and pressing it down across Cavett's body.

One fourth-grader didn't hesitate to give other students waiting in line advice on what they should do with their piece.

“Aim for his legs,” he said.

The hundreds of pieces of tape held Cavett a few inches off the ground for several minutes.

“Are you staying up there all day?” one student asked him.

Another chimed in: “No cheating! You have to stay like that all day.”

Cavett prepared for the duct taping by wearing a long sleeved shirt and a pair of gloves.

Last year, after meeting the fundraising goal, two students got to throw a pie in Cavett's face.