Tinton Falls students jump for heart health

BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer

Above, Hannah Lynn, a first-grader at the Mahala Atchison School in Tinton Falls, demonstrated her hopping skill during the highly successful Jump for the Heart fundraiser on Feb. 23. At right, first-grader Zarla Dunn doesn’t miss a beat. Below, first-grader Mark Abrams played double Dutch at the K-3 school in Tinton Falls. Students at the Mahala F. Atchison K-3 school in Tinton Falls once again took part in the Jump Rope for the Heart program last week.

As they have done over the past few years, the students and their families and friends opened their hearts and pocketbooks and raised a great deal of money for heart health.

According to physical education teacher Lynne Landis, as of Friday the students had already surpassed their goal of $20,000. Landis, along with Edward Davis, another physical education teacher at the school, are the program coordinators.

“So far, we have a total of $22,563. Envelopes are still being turned in and online donations are being tallied. The kids are excited!” Landis said, adding, “The students hope to top last year’s incredible total of $24,910. They had set a goal of $20,000 with the expectation that they may pass it by.”

PHOTOSBYSCOTT PILLING staff For 2005, the school ranked first among elementary schools in Monmouth County in funds raised, second in New Jersey and 41st nationwide. On Feb. 27, Atchison School received an award from the New Jersey Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at the association’s annual state convention’s awards banquet at the East Brunswick Hilton.

“Ed and I will be attending the awards dinner to receive the award on behalf of the students for their accomplishments in last year’s events,” Landis said last week.

Contributions have been increasing every year. In 2003, grade three alone raised $8,311 and in 2004, grades one, two and three together raised $21,396.

In 2004, the school ranked second among elementary schools in Monmouth County for funds raised and second among elementary schools in New Jersey. The school ranked 68 among elementary schools nationwide.

The fundraiser is sponsored by the American Heart Association; the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; and Subway restaurants.

The program teaches the students about the importance of a healthy lifestyle while empowering them as they provide a vital community service and discover that they can make a difference, Landis said.

During the first three weeks of February, the students collected donations from family and friends for heart disease and stroke research. In return, they pledged to participate in a “jump station” event held during physical education classes last week.

Students rotated from station to station, demonstrating their ability to jump vertically, horizontally and laterally while developing their cardiovascular endurance.

Parent volunteers helped to run the stations.