Students jump rope to raise money

St. Regis Elementary School Students got a chance to get some exercise and make a difference during school Wednesday.

St. Regis students, from kindergarten to sixth grade, participated in the nationwide fundraising program, Jump Rope for Heart. Jump Rope for Heart is sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

“The main reason we do this is just to make them aware of how important it is to be healthy and stay healthy and the benefits of exercise and this fundraising,” said St. Regis physical education teacher Cindy Feasel.

Ninety students in kindergarten through sixth grade participated in the event and did jump rope activities from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Of those 90 students, 21 raised money.

Feasel said that each student who participates in the event tries to raise money for the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance by asking for donations from friends and family. This year, St. Regis Elementary School students raised $1,311.77.

Feasel said that students receive thank you gifts from the Jump Rope for Heart Organization. Students receive water bottles, jump ropes and other prizes, based on the amount of money they raise. Feasel said that these prizes usually do not come in to the students until around six weeks after they turn in their money.

According to Feasel, each student who participates in the event gets a certificate and a sticker to award them for their help. Feasel said that as an added bonus, she allows the top sellers in three categories, kindergarten through first grade, second through third, and fourth through sixth grades, to act as the physical education teacher for the day.

This year, the PE teachers will be first-grader Emma Hill, who raised $128.60, second graders Anna Sanford, who raised $250, Jacob Jasper, who raised $230, and fifth grader Gaby Moeller, who raised $115.

Students also participated in a raffle that went on throughout the afternoon. Feasel said that each student had a number written on their hand, and throughout the afternoon, numbers were drawn and prizes were given to those students.

“Some of it's extra things we have from Jump Rope for Heart; some of it is extra stuff we have, like balloons,” Feasel said about the raffle prizes.

Of all the grades that participated in Jump Rope for Heart, second-graders raised the most money with $751; first-graders came in second with $190; and third-graders came in third with $163.60.

Feasel said that the entire day consisted of different jump rope activities, such as double dutch, single jump roping and even a little limbo. “We've been practicing jump rope activities in class,” Feasel said. Thirteen students helped Feasel keep the event organized, and the younger students entertained and were involved by passing out jump ropes, prizes and playing games with them.

“Usually, they are students that are from my advanced PE class or my upper level high school PE class,” Feasel said.

The students participating in Jump Rope for Heart also got a healthy snack consisting of fruits and vegetables during their jump rope time Wednesday.

Feasel said that St. Regis has been participating in Jump Rope for Heart since 1996. For the high school students, Feasel said the school participates in Hoops for Hearts at the end of March. In order to participate in Hoops for Hearts, high school students form 3-on-3 basketball teams, which have to raise a flat entry fee to participate in a tournament with other students. Feasel said that the faculty and staff help organize that event.

According to Feasel, the younger kids usually raise more money than the high school kids because they have no flat rate to go by.