A principal at a school in Peterborough lived up to his promise of an icy January plunge if the school community managed to raise $50,000 by the end of 2023. Dr. John Jalsevac, headmaster of Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic School, and outgoing school board chair Frank Callaghan, dove together into Little Lake at Beavermead Park on Friday afternoon. Several students joined also them for the plunge in much milder conditions. Jalseva says leading up to Dec. 31, 2023, it appeared the private K-12 classical liberal arts school would miss the goal by a few thousand dollars. But the $50,000 goal was met later that day. The school continues its $150,000 matching campaign which continues until June 30 during which all donations to the school are doubled. “People believe in this school,” said Jalsevac. “They love the school and want it to thrive. That’s why we’re doing this. That’s why we’re willing to jump in frigid waters, in Peterborough, in January. We love the school that much.”