IGHPS: Pine Bend Breaks Its Record For Kids Heart Challenge

Inver Grove Heights MN

18 March, 2022

11:18 PM

Description

Press release from Inver Grove Heights Public Schools: March 18, 2022 The Kids Heart Challenge, formerly known as Jump Rope for Heart, is a tradition at Pine Bend Elementary School. For more than 30 years, students have participated in the program, learning about heart health, getting active, and raising funds for the American Heart Association (AHA) each spring. This year, Pine Bend students broke the school's previous fundraising record and had a great time doing it! The Kids Heart Challenge encourages students to drink more water, find enjoyable ways to get active, and do more acts of kindness for a healthier life overall. During the month-long program, students gathered pledges for the jump rope event, which was held during each class's physical education class on March 10. The theme of this year's event was Glow With Heart. Pine Bend Physical Education Teacher Kelly Darrow, who organizes the AHA program and jump rope event at the school each year, decorated the gym with blacklights and other glow-in-the-dark décor, and students got glowstick necklaces to wear! While they jumped rope, students enjoyed music and were even joined by some staff members who jumped rope with them. At the end of this year's Kids Heart Challenge, Pine Bend had collected more than $20,300, just surpassing the school's previous fundraising record of $20,000! Over the years, Pine Bend's participation has secured a spot for the school as one of the Top 5 fundraisers in the state and Top 20 in the nation. Students raise thousands of dollars each year to help the AHA reduce the number of heart disease and stroke victims while they discover new and fun ways to get active and jump rope. However, this year was the first time since 2011 that students were able to set a fundraising record! The school has scheduled some celebrations to acknowledge the hard work of students and the generosity of its community. As part of surpassing the school's fundraising goals, Pine Bend Principal Quennel Cooper agreed to eat some dried bugs during a schoolwide event. Once the weather gets nicer, Pine Bend staff also hope to have families drive through the school parking lot while staff stand on the roof to say thank you. The staff rooftop event is an homage to the celebration Pine Bend held after raising $20,000 for the American Heart Association the first time. Great job to the students on their hard work to improve their lives and those of others through the Kids Heart Challenge! This press release was produced by Inver Grove Heights Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author's own.