(Publisher’s note: Later in the week, there will be a full slide show of this event,)
Physical Education Teacher Eric Burris got the students in gym class together for some pre-jump rope instructions at North Creek Middle School early Monday morning.
He had them take their resting heart rate, explained the different jump rope stations, and showed them posters with more complicated jump rope skills, and then … they were off.
The students grabbed a rope and got their jump-rope groove on for the 30-minute PE class during the first day of Jump Rope For Heart, a fundraiser for the American Heart Association, their school and themselves.
About 500 students in the elementary school will participate in Jump Rope For Heart through March 1 during their twice-a-week gym classes. And, those that want to will collect donations for their jumping efforts as they exercise to become Heart Heroes. 
The event stresses not only heart health but also fun exercise with classmates as the ropes were twirling and their collective heart’s were pounding to the music.
This is the North Creek’s 15th year of participation in the event.
“We promote physical fitness at North Creek,” said Principal Marcus Kaemming, who stopped by to check on a class of second-graders.
“Eric teaches movements that allow the kids to be healthier,” he said, whether it’s jumping rope or playing four-square, walking or running.
Kaemming said the students learn skills at school that can be used at home.
“Jump rope, there’s a nostalgic value in it for us, and for the kids, it’s just good, honest fun,” he said, adding that students learn “game- and play-based exercise” in PE class.
In addition, there will be discussions about the brain, heart and lungs and what can be done to keep them healthy for a lifetime, Burris said.
Last year, North Creek raised $2,721, and if the students fund-raise more than $1,500, the school gets a US Games certificate that is used to add new equipment or update older equipment at the school.
Anyone can donate – just stop by the school and lend your support of these efforts.
For more information on heart disease and stroke, check out the American Heart Association website www.americanheart.org/jump.
Surprise! That’s our granddaughter, Ottilia jumping rope. Her heart is really in it, and she’s having fun.