Hussar kids Jump Rope for Heart

Times Contributor 

 

Students and staff at Hussar school celebrated Valentine’s Day participating in the program ‘Jump Rope for Heart.’

‘Jump Rope for Heart’ is a Nation Wide awareness program to educate kids and communities about heart health at an early age through physical activity and heart healthy living.

On Valentine’s Day, under the direction and organization of teacher Jody Filkohazy and the rest of the teaching staff at Hussar school, the students were encouraged to participate in various events in the gym. The students were separated into five groups with a cross section of each of the K-6 grades. They were at each of the five stations for approximately 15 minutes.

Filkohazy oversaw the first station and had the kids learn how to jump rope with a long rope (or jump over a rope, depending on the age), with two people turning the handles.

At station two Mrs. Moczulski used long ropes and individual ropes to have kids walk on a tight rope and jump over snakes, and also made use of the parachute.

At station three Mrs. McRae was teaching the students all about ‘Chinese Jump Rope,’ a series of jumps with two stretched out ropes.

Mrs. Armstrong taught the children about heart facts, after which the kids needed to answer questions on work sheets and posters, as well as do some individual jump rope.

Finally, at station five Mrs. Santerre taught her group long rope jumping to some time honoured chants like ‘Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,’ and ‘Cinderella.’

According to statistics, only seven per cent of Canadian children and youth are meeting the daily recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Hussar school staff encouraged and gave the kids the skills and education to begin changing that figure.

Throughout the fun day and days leading up to the event, the students had sponsors to raise money for heart research. The students raised around $4,000 with the highest individual fundraiser, Teagan Adamcewicz, bringing in $250 of that total. All the students who participated received a skipping rope from Filkohazy for taking part in the event.