No. 16 Vol. 3
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March 2018
Mendham Middle Schoolers Jump Rope For Heart Health
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By Henry M. Holden hrough the American Heart Association (AHA) program, Jump Rope For Heart, kids learn jump rope skills, how their heart works and raise money to help kids with special hearts. “Have fun, learn how to stay healthy, and make a difference in the lives of others,” they say! Jump Rope For Heart and Hoops For Heart are national education and fundraising events sponsored by the AHA and the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE). According to the American Heart Association’s website, “These events engage elementary and middle school students with jumping rope or playing basketball while empowering them to improve their own health and help other kids with hearthealth issues. And both programs are great ways to satisfy the physical education standards as determined by SHAPE America.” Jump Rope For Heart events are conducted in school by physical education instructors, coaches or teachers. “The teacher who retired last year started the Jump Rope for Heart tradition,” said Gina Sodora, a fifth-grade teacher. “So, I was asked by a Jump Rope for Heart coordinator if I would like to continue the tradition with our fifth grade class. “During the fifth-grade physical education period the entire fifth-grade class came to the gym on February 14th to take part,” she said. “The kids were to go out on their own, with the help of their parents, to raise money that all went directly to the American Heart Association. “We ended up raising a total of $1,590,” she said. “They were able to get donations in the form of checks or online donations, so the money raised was in no way connected to the number of jumps or anything
Vera dela Vega like that. Most of the other related arts teachers, including physical education, art and computers, showed up to help keep the event organized and running along with the guidance counselor and peer leaders, which is a small group of seventh and eighth grade students. There were 10 jumping stations such as races, single jump rope and double dutch. “The fifth- graders seemed to absolutely love the event, and I received good feedback from them as well,” she said. “So, I will most likely carry on the tradition next year. “Planning was relatively easy especially with the help of the Jump Rope for Heart coordinators who helped me with each step since it was my first time running this event,” she added. Vera dela Vega is a poster child for what benefits are derived from this program. The seven-year old said, “When I would run, jump or play sports, my heart would beat very fast and my chest would hurt. I told my mom, dad, and doctor, and they continued on page 4