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Hilltoppers jump rope for heart
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Hilltop Elementary School fourth-grade students celebrated the 35th anniversary of the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart by jumping rope during their gym class Feb. 7.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.A fourth-grade student at Hilltop Elementary School showed off her jump rope skills during her gym class for the 35th anniversary of the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart Feb. 7.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.A group of Hilltop Elementary School fourth-grade students prepared to jump rope during the 35th anniversary of the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart Feb. 7.
By ABBY SLANKER
Students at Hilltop Elementary School celebrated the 35th anniversary of the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart by jumping rope during their scheduled gym classes the week of Feb. 3-7. While the students were jumping rope, they were also raising money for the American Heart Association.
“We participate in this program to help other people. The students realize that and know they are helping in their own way and I think that’s great,” said Linda Magyar, Hilltop Elementary School physical education teacher.
Throughout the week, under the direction of Magyar, students in grades kindergarten through fourth learned about the importance of heart health while having a good time jumping rope and enjoying other activities, such as hula hooping, long jumping and vertical jumping.
Magyar also set up several stations for the students, including whiffle ball sticks, a stretch and exercise station, speed jumping and long jump rope, where students tried to get as many kids as they could to jump at the same time. Music was also playing to help motivate the children
Magyar also set up a rest station the children could visit and get a drink if they need a little rest from all the jumping.
Last year, the students raised $10,555.82 for the American Heart Association, which was their best year.
“We truly appreciate everyone’s support,” Magyar said.
The children earned thank you gifts from the American Heart Association based on how much they raised, including a jump rope, a T-shirt, a playground ball, a max boom, headphones and walkie talkies, with the top prize being a powerwing. The prizes were cumulative, so depending on how much a student raised, they received several prizes.
Hilltop PTO volunteers were on hand every day to help Magyar keep track of donations and tally them.