Students jump at chance to help heart health

February 26, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By ABBY SLANKER

Cinderella dressed in yellow

Went downstairs to kiss her fellow.

How many kisses did she give?

One, two, three, four, five . . .

Sound familiar? Well, students at Hilltop Elementary School could have used this poem to help them keep count of how many times they jumped rope while participating in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart Program.

During the week of Feb. 7, under the direction of Hilltop physical education teacher Linda Magyar, the students were educated on the importance of heart health while having a good time jumping rope. The students raised money for the American Heart Association to fund research and educational materials to lower the risks of America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers: heart disease and stroke.

Not only did the students have the opportunity to learn about building healthier lives for themselves, but the school will also receive educational materials, jump ropes and gift certificates for physical education equipment based on how much money is raised.

According to Magyar, the students raised about $3,000 during the event last year and raised more than $5,000 this year.

New this year, students could also reach out to friends and family out of town by raising money online. Students earned individual prizes depending on how much money they raised.

According to Magyar, students were shown an instructional video which showed them how to perform such individual and group jump rope moves and tricks as scissors, rocker, front cross, face-to-face, side-by-side and side-by-side 360. Magyar also set up stations where the students could use the long jump rope, either alone or with a group.

To add a little variety, Magyar also made available hula hoops which the students could use. She also provided background music and had the children warm up before they started jumping.

“The kids really enjoy it. They can jump by themselves, or they can use the long rope to jump with friends. When they learn one little new trick, they are so proud of themselves. There is something for everyone here and they are very proud of what they are doing for the American Heart Association,” Magyar said.