1. Joint Projects Office • SHAPE America
1900 Association Drive • Reston, VA 20191
mmay@shapeamerica.org • 1-800-213-7193
Winter 2016
Vol 16 • No 2
The American Heart Association is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014-2015 National
Jump Rope For Heart (JRFH) and Hoops For Heart (HFH) Awards. Each year, the American
Heart Association staff members nominate exemplary physical education teachers, school
administrators and students who have gone above and beyond in implementing Jump Rope and
Hoops For Heart in their schools, helping to advance the American Heart Association’s mission
of “building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.”
• Outstanding JRFH Coordinator:
Renee Kruss, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, IL
• Outstanding HFH Coordinator:
Jodie Schuller, Chase County Elementary School, NE
• Outstanding Team of the Year:
Emily Adams and Beth Finnegan, Kennesaw Elementary School, GA
These awards recognize volunteers who have coordinated successful
events at their schools, utilizing creativity, passion and community
involvement.
• Top JRFH School Rookie of the Year:
Westgate Elementary School, Arlington Heights, IL
• Top HFH School Rookie of the Year:
Rooster Springs, Austin, TX
These awards recognize exemplary first-time
participating schools.
American
Heart Association
Award WinnersBy Brian Wisler, York, PA, 2015 SHAPE America JRFH/HFH grantee
Write for us!
Bring national attention to your school
by contributing to The Pulse! Highlight
the achievements of your school’s
Jump Rope For Heart or Hoops For
Heart event, tell us what’s happening
locally, or submit a lesson plan or
heartwarming feature article.
Email articles to:
mmay@shapeamerica.org
Contribute today!
Inside this issue:
1. Award Winners
3. Top Schools
4. Jumping With the Stars
6. National Heart Month Lesson Plan
7. CPR in Schools
8. Unexpected Heart Heroes
9. National Wear Red Day
10. 2016 SHAPE America National
Convention Expo
Continued
Jump Rope For Heart and Hoops For Heart Award Winners
2. • ‘Open-Door’ Award:
Kim Switchenko, W.B. Sweeny School, CT
This award recognizes a Jump Rope For Heart (JRFH) and/or Hoops
For Heart (HFH) volunteer who has helped bring other peers into the
program either by “opening doors” to the American Heart Association
staff or by helping the American Heart Association recruit new
volunteer coordinators.
• Faye Biles Educational Award:
Jim Carmody and Bryan Brooke, St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, NY
Faye Biles was an early “pioneer” with JRFH who focused much of her
energy on the event’s educational aspects. This award is named after
Faye to recognize a Jump Rope/Hoops For Heart coordinator who has
been instrumental in implementing the American Heart Association’s
school-related programs in his/her school.
• Young Heart Leadership:
Jacob Stever, Fremont High School, MI
This award recognizes a young person, under the age of 21, who
has demonstrated the highest levels of leadership in action that
contributed to the growth OF JRFH or HFH.
• Administrator of the Year Award:
Elaine Damelio, Walt Disney Elementary School, NY
This award recognizes a superintendent, principal, coordinator
or instructional specialist of physical education who has been
instrumental in growing the Jump Rope and/or Hoops For Heart
program(s) in his/her school.
• Heart-Healthy School Award:
Jennifer Hoover and Linda Gancitano, Driftwood Middle School, FL
This award recognizes a Jump Rope and/or Hoops For Heart school
that has implemented American Heart Association programs within
the entire school.
2 • SHAPE America • The Pulse • Winter 2016
3. 3 • SHAPE America • The Pulse • Winter 2016
Awardee Spotlight
Jodie Schuller
Hello from Chase County! My name
is Jodie Schuller, and I wanted to say, “thank you”
to Michelle Carlson, American Heart Association
Youth Market Director, for nominating me for the
Outstanding Hoops For Heart Coordinator. I am
extremely honored to receive this award.
I have been at Chase County for 20 years teaching
K-8 physical education. The first 14 years I team-
taught with a wonderful man, Dennis Krutsinger,
and now I teach solo. I currently coach high school
volleyball, and in the past, coached junior high
basketball and track. I received my bachelor’s
from Hastings College in health promotion and
management and completed my master’s in
education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Receiving this award says a lot about the students
and the community of Chase County. The students’
dedication through the Hoops For Heart event and
the community’s willingness to donate to such a
good cause is highly appreciated and noticed. The
students, families and community are the reason
Chase County does so well with this event. I give all
the credit to the students and the citizens who live in
this district.
Why I’m so passionate about Jump Rope For Heart
and Hoops For Heart is because anytime one can
help save a life, it is a great feeling. The students
at Chase County start asking in August, “When is
the big event?” meaning Jump Rope For Heart and
Hoops For Heart. They get excited about helping
save lives and the big celebration that’s around
Valentine’s Day. The American Heart Association
also does an exceptional job of organizing the event
and promoting educational materials to the teachers.
“Life is Why” is my favorite quote for this event and
why I’m so heartfelt toward Hoops For Heart and
Jump Rope For Heart. Thanks again!
Schools to Beat
Top Schools Across the Nation
Congratulations to the Top 10 Jump Rope For Heart, Hoops For Heart, and Jump Rope / Hoops
For Heart (combo events) schools. The following schools raised the most funds in their event
category across the nation. Thank you for all your efforts!
TOP 10 JUMP ROPE FOR HEART SCHOOLS
French Road Elementary School
Durham Academy
St Benedict’s Episcopal School
Chelsea Intermediate School
Kamehameha Elementary School
Pleasant Ridge Elementary School
H.B. Whitehorne Middle School
Edward V. Walton Elementary School
J.B. Watkins Elementary School
Jenks West Elementary School
SCHOOL
NY
NC
GA
IL
HI
IL
NJ
NJ
VA
OK
STATE
$99,103
$78,795
$69,154
$62,474
$58,551
$51,394
$48,442
$46,008
$45,931
$44,879
GROSS RAISED
TOP 10 HOOPS FOR HEART SCHOOLS
North Attleboro Middle School
Haverford Middle School
Davis Drive Middle School
Mills Park Middle School
Tibbets Primary School
Patterson Mill Middle/High School
Fallston Middle School School
Sugar Mill Elementary
St. Jane Francis de Chantal School
Victor Intermediate School
SCHOOL
MA
PA
NC
NC
WI
MD
MD
TX
MD
NY
STATE
$110,656
$40,839
$36,576
$28,422
$25,550
$25,224
$23,932
$21,596
$21,348
$20,598
GROSS RAISED
TOP 10 JUMP ROPE / HOOPS FOR HEART COMBO EVENTS
Parley’s Park Elementary
University Lab School
Longbranch Elementary School
Thorpe Creek Elementary School
Holland Hall School
Greathouse School
New Albany Elementary 2-5 School
Hudson PEP School
Plank Road South Elementary School
Windham Center School
ACCOUNT
UT
LA
TX
IN
OK
TX
OH
TX
NY
NH
STATE
$38,800
$36,736
$35,436
$31,714
$30,326
$28,721
$26,900
$26,075
$25,178
$24,435
GROSS RAISED
TOP ONLINE
FUNDRAISING SCHOOL
Durham Academy
$73,437
TOP ONLINE
FUNDRAISING PARTICIPANT
Kimberly Burrows,
Durham Academy
$60,050
4. 4 • SHAPE America • The Pulse • Winter 2016
By Katherine Niedbala, Troy School District, MI
“WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TO THE
2015 JUMP ROPE FOR HEART EVENT! PLEASE
GET READY TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY TALENTS
FROM ALL ACROSS THE WORLD AS WE WATCH
OUR FELLOW CLASSMATES SHINE!”
This is how I start the class on our performance day. I use a special
microphone, wear a fancy outfit, and really get into character. Our
Jump Rope For Heart event is based on the popular show “Dancing
with the Stars,” and is not focused on who can jump the longest or
who can do the coolest tricks, but rather on giving the opportunity for
each student to shine and have their moment in the spotlight. Students
perform a routine that they created as part of a group, showing their
individual personality. On performance day, families are encouraged to
come watch their child perform the routine. The children are typically
very nervous about performing; however, after they finish, they have
a look of immense pride as they wrap up their routine in front of
the class. By helping build their self-confidence and creating new
bonds with one another, the students are no longer only in a physical
education class – they are creating a family and a bridge between
what we do at school and what goes on in the real world.
Students are advised to take a piece of paper and write down their
team name, song name and their routine, including where people are
moving and what each person is doing. The teacher explains how
beneficial counting can be when creating a routine.
The students are given the remainder of the day to practice their
routine. Students are encouraged to practice at lunch, recess and
home. They are also encouraged to show their family members and
invite them to the performance.
The next time they come to class, they will be given a few minutes to
rehearse their routine one final time – then it is performance time. All
students sit in the audience, and watch for different rope skills being
used. The teacher uses a microphone (prop or real) and pretends to be
the host of a show called “Jumping with Stars.” Then the teacher plays
the song of choice and records the routine as the group performs it for
the audience. After the performance, two audience members are called
on to point out one type of jump they noticed, and one compliment
for the group. This builds self-confidence and the ability to perform in
front of a group. All routines are offered to the students on a DVD if
they are interested in taking it home to show their family and friends.
The key to this lesson being successful is the delivery by the
teacher. The teacher must be very enthusiastic when presenting.
It is very useful to show videos as examples. Students will be put
into groups of 4-6 to work on the two-day activity. Once students
pick given their groups, they must:
• Create a routine that lasts approximately 1-3 minutes
assigned that incorporates jump rope.
• Each take an active part in the routine and must
complete at least 10 forward basic jumps.
• Incorporate a variety of different jumps that they have
had exposure to. (The routine is not limited to jumping
rope only, it can include their own personal pizaaz.)
• Pick what song they want to use for their performance.
• Create a group name.
Jumping With the Stars
Students take the stage and show their talents!
6. 6 • SHAPE America • The Pulse • Winter 2016
National Heart Month
Lesson Plan
This is one of my favorite lessons to teach as I prepare my
students for Jump Rope For Heart. We hold our event during
the month of February. Not only is February National Heart
Month, it is also African American History month. As an
African American female, the fight against heart disease is
very important to me. Teaching this lesson helps me make
connections with students between my culture, Jump Rope
For Heart, and the mission of the American Heart Association
as it relates to heart disease and stroke. The lesson plan
comes from an Artie Kamiya Great Activities resource book.
Activity:
In Search of a
Healthy Heart
Grade Level:
3-5
Place stations around the gym and
number them 1-7. Hang healthy heart
information around the gym for visual
recognition. Each station will have a sign
describing a cardio function. The stations
should be set up to form an obstacle
course. When the music starts, students
will move through the course safely until
they reach the end. For a large group of
students, divide them into small groups
and have them begin the course in
a staggered start.
#2 – Artery
Crawl through a
tunnel (mats) without
touching the side
to show how blood
travels to muscles
and organs.
#3 – The Heart Pump
Get the heart
“pumping” by doing
mountain climbers.
#4 – Lung Power
Inhale and exhale
deeply by doing
jumping jacks.
# 5 – Cholesterol Buster
Bust cholesterol from
arteries by doing
star jumps.
# 6 – Veins
Bring blood back to
the heart by walking
on top of a long
jump rope.
#1 – Blood Vessels
Move carefully
through hoops single
file to show how blood
travels through
the body.
#7 – White Blood Cells
Fight infection in the body and
bring white blood cells through
the body. Sit on a scooter and
travel in a zig-zag pattern
between cones. At the end of
the circuit, tap the healthy heart
ball. Give yourself a point and
complete the circuit again.
Equipment/Materials:
Upbeat music, hula hoops, foam
hoop holders, heart healthy
signs/posters, cones, scooters,
jump rope, and a large exercise
ball or red balloon.
Prerequisite:
Students should have basic
knowledge of how the heart
functions, and know key
vocabulary words related to
the cardiovascular system.
5 February is National Heart Month
By: Denise Brown, Barcroft Elementary School, VA
7. National Wear Red Day®
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016
Let’s unite to prevent heart disease and stroke.
Get tips on how you can get involved. Go to
GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay.
Visit ShopHeart.org to purchase select items pictured.
8. 8 • SHAPE America • The Pulse • Winter 2016
Good afternoon,
My name is Monique and I am Keymar Green’s
mom. I don’t know where to begin, but all I can
say is thank you. I thank you because when my
son was sitting in class taking CPR last Thursday
I’m sure it never crossed his mind that four days
later he would be giving his five-year-old brother
CPR in the middle of our foyer as we waited
for the ambulance to come. I think that – well I
hope that – this has showed him that no matter
if you believe something to be important at the
moment that you are learning it, or even if you
don’t see how it will be useful to you, it is indeed
useful and important. Whoever taught the class I
believe would be very proud that he remembered
everything he learned and stayed very calm and
collected. Again, I just say thank you for even
having this in your curriculum and teaching it on
the day that you did. He actually did help to save
his brother’s life.
Sincerely,
Monique Woods
It’s Not About Mandates,
It’s About Saving More Lives!
Every hour in the United States approximately 38 people
will have a cardiac arrest event outside of the hospital.
Nine out of 10 people will not survive. However, if lifesaving CPR is performed, a
victim’s chance of surviving can double, or even triple.
In 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) set an aggressive goal: to reduce
deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent and to improve
the overall health of all Americans by 20 percent by the year 2020. Increasing the
number of people in communities who have “hands-only” CPR skills is a key part of
the strategy to reach this goal. CPR saves lives. CPR is one of the most important
skills a person can have, as it often means the difference between life and death
for a cardiac arrest victim. Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone regardless of age
and gender. Current science indicates that “hands-only” CPR is the best practice for
widespread CPR training for the general public. For that reason, the AHA developed
an innovative tool, CPR Anytime Family and Friends,
to train the general public. Following the success
of CPR Anytime, the AHA, in collaboration with
key stakeholders, created the CPR in Schools kit.
Together, these tools offer a blended approach to
drastically increase the number of people who have
CPR skills, thereby improving the chain of survival.
Because approximately 88% of cardiac arrests
occur at home, the AHA has embarked upon a
strategy of training the next generation of lifesavers
that will drastically increase the number of households that will have at least one
person trained in hands-only CPR. The AHA is lobbying to have CPR training as a
graduation requirement in every state. So far, 27 states have passed this legislation.
Regardless of mandates, a team has been assembled with the AHA called the CPR
in Schools managers. Their role is to support any school district, public or private,
under mandate or not, in their CPR efforts. They personally offer support for the
CPR in Schools training program wherever it is purchased or placed due to grants or
business sponsorships.
The CPR in Schools training kit empowers students to learn the core skills of CPR
in under 30 minutes, and it teaches AED skills and choking relief. The easy-to-use
kit is designed specifically for the needs of school educators. It’s portable, allowing
for convenient movement from classroom to classroom and easy storage. It’s also
reusable. The program was developed by the AHA and incorporates the very latest
science. The CPR in Schools training kits include a carry-all bag with 10 manikins,
10 DVDs, a lesson plan, a facilitator guide, pre and post-tests, a facilitator training
record, and an online webinar. Each kit can train 10-20 students at one time and
has a useful life of up to three years. The training DVD allows anyone to facilitate
a training, regardless of their own CPR knowledge, which also helps to meet state
mandates easier and more economically. The watch-while-practice method has
been researched and proven to be an effective approach for teaching and retaining
CPR skills.
We hope your students will never have to do CPR, but we know they all can easily
learn these life-saving skills and make the difference!
To learn more about the CPR in Schools training
program, how to share a heart-hero save story, or
even have the tools to create a cardiac-emergency
response plan for your school visit www.heart.
org/cprinschools. Questions: 1-866-935-5484 or
cprinschools@heart.org
9. 9 • SHAPE America • The Pulse • Winter 2016
Unexpected
Heart HeroesBy Nikki Whittemore, Elmendorf–Richardson, AK
Beginning in 2006, Aurora Elementary School became my home away
from home. I moved to Anchorage, AK from Kalamazoo, MI looking
for a unique and exciting adventure as a physical education teacher.
I had the passion to help children become physically fit, teach them
how to live a healthy lifestyle, and knew that I would make a positive
difference in their lives. However, I was not prepared for the effect that
they would have on my life in return.
Shortly after my arrival to Aurora
Elementary School, I began planning my
first Jump Rope For Heart event. I have
family members and friends who have
suffered the effects of various heart
conditions, so it meant a lot to me to
be able to support them. The student
population at Aurora is 100% military
families, so I knew that the amount of
money that we would be able to raise
would not be a very high amount due to
military incomes being lower. However,
I wanted to help the students
understand how to keep their own
hearts healthy, and Jump Rope For
Heart is a great avenue for doing so.
In that first year, we raised $2,400 for
the American Heart Association and my
students were overjoyed!
Throughout the years, our fundraising
numbers have fluctuated, however, our spirit has not. My students
have always enjoyed hearing stories of other children with “special”
hearts and even telling their own stories of family members/friends with
“special” hearts. I have always explained to my students that their hearts
are the biggest hearts I know because they are so willing to help other
people, even if they don’t know them. They truly are Heart Heroes!
Around the time that I became the Jump Rope For Heart
Representative for AKAHPERD, I began taking a closer look at my
own health. I had always considered myself to be a healthy person,
eating the right foods (of course a little chocolate in moderation always
helps a bit!) and exercising most days of the week. However, I felt that
something was wrong. I began to feel quite fatigued and started feeling
strange things happening with my own heart. In June of 2013, I found
out that I, too, had a “special” heart. I was diagnosed with Ectopic
Atrial Tachycardia.
My cardiologist and I worked together to combat the abnormality
with many different methods. Instead of my condition getting better,
it actually began to worsen. I was then sent to an electrophysiologist
who confirmed my fears – I had to have surgery. After many tears and
support from my family and friends, I showed up to school with my
heart monitor on my hip, displaying it loud
and proud – beeping and all!
My students were instrumental in making
me feel more comfortable with my
condition. I taught them all about my heart,
made diagrams explaining exactly how the
surgery would be performed and even let
them touch my heart monitor. They would
laugh when my monitor started beeping at
me in the middle of class and asked if they
could push the buttons. With help from the
health teacher, my students made a giant
heart that stood 20 feet tall that was signed
by the entire school bearing the words, “You
make our hearts jump!”
In the meantime, we had scheduled my
surgery to be performed on March 6, 2014.
I discussed with my students that we would
be doing our Jump Rope For Heart program
during that month, and it was a unanimous decision to have our Jump
Rope For Heart Day be the same day as my surgery. It was bittersweet
that morning as I was wheeled into the operating room knowing that
my students were not just performing in the Jump Rope For Heart
event, but they were jumping for MY heart. The love, compassion and
caring that I had been able to teach my students each year through
Jump Rope For Heart had such an unexpected impact on my life.
Without the funds raised through Jump Rope For Heart, resources
might not have been available to help the treatment of my own heart
condition. I am excited for this next phase in my life, encouraging
others to be involved in an amazing program — saving lives one
jump at a time!
“. . . Jump Rope For Heart made such an unexpected impact on my life.”
10. 2016 SHAPE America
National Convention Expo
register today!
APRIL 5–9 MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Mark your calendar for the SHAPE America National Convention Expo, which offers unparalleled
opportunities to engage with thousands of health and physical educators.
• Explore hundreds of sessions that showcase effective teaching strategies and best practices
• Learn from world-renowned speakers and researchers
• Discover how to gain more support for your school’s health and physical education program
• Meet, socialize, network and trade tips with your peers
The convention will focus on 50 Million Strong by 2029, SHAPE America’s initiative
to ensure that all of America’s students are benefitting from the skills, knowledge
and opportunities to enjoy healthy, meaningful physical activity.
shapeamerica.org/convention
#SHAPEMinneapolis
