Bear Valley Elementary School Fundraiser: Jump Rope for Heart

Jump Rope for Heart is a very well-known and popular fundraiser that provides a creative way for students to get healthy while fundraising at the same time. Bear Valley Elementary School in Moreno Valley had the opportunity to participate and fund-raise in a healthy way. The fundraiser ran from Feb. 10 - 20. Studies showed that those children that were more active during their physical education class, or simply more active in general, had a higher cardiovascular fitness level. Overall improvement of students and the ability to master different tasks were also associated with a positive perspective toward physical activity. Through this fundraiser, the students were given the opportunity to associate physical activity and positive encouragement. The event helped them learn to focus on improving themselves rather than simply winning over others. Vice Principal Ileana Gutierrez shared, "This will help teach kids that being healthy could be a lot of fun." With a few kick-off assemblies, including an informational session teaching the students about common core lessons on the heart and the importance as to why being healthy and exercising can be instrumental in one's life, while simultaneously encouraging them to be more active. Although, the school did not have a formal way of recording the amount of time the students spent jump-roping, according to Gutierrez, they all had a minimum 20 minutes of jump-roping in their Physical Education (PE) classes. Prior to the fundraising, the school's overall goal was to raise $2,000. Plus, with a total of only $1,500, they would be rewarded with new PE Equipment. "This is our first year doing this and we exceeded our goal. We raised $3,000. We are so excited," Principal Scott Walker said. "The kids get so competitive with the jump-roping; they always kept trying harder and harder. It's very interactive... such a good cause," he added. "The final jumping ceremony was amazing... kids were jump-roping all over... we couldn't be more excited," Gutierrez added. [END] Bear Valley has the opportunity to fund raise in a healthy way. Fund raisers will begin on February 10th through the 20. -Students will be receiving a fund raising envelope on the 10th. We appreciate your support. ------------------NOTES FROM INT. WITH GUTIERREZ----------- "Trying to make it as effective as possible." - Vice Principal Gutierrez. 2 weeks Friday the 20 Teaching kids that being healthy could be fun. A few kickoff assemblies (4). Gives them presentation- promotional assembly. -teaches them about the problems and encourages them to be healthier and exercise, be active more. structured jumping through PE Classes - common core lessons about the heart. Before final promotion (19) they jump in front of school each grade level. updating how much they collected. Don't have a formal recording, 20 min minimum of PE at the very least. We don't count, teach them how to do the other activities. Promote more outside activities. Playing any sport...having fun and learning. Counting...morning announcement,..19th to celebrate and thank- remind students what they learned about their hearts. Embedded-each PE Teacher-jump ropes available for them: recess, classes, opportunity little prizes involved little ducks, ropes, receive 1,500-PE equipment. 2,000-goal. ---------------------RESULTS--------------------- Vice Principal Ileana Gutierrez(after fundraiser) Did you reach your goal (2,000 or 1,500 raised)? -----Principal Walker----- $2,925 first year - exceeded our goal of 2,000 - very excited - good cause - fit for good. very interactive - a good cause. jump roping kids so competitive - always want to try harder. the final jumping ceremony - kids jumping ceremony. we're excited - teaching kids ------------------------------------------------ Were the kids excited about the jump roping/ or participating in the fundraiser, overall? Do you think some of the kids were encouraged to be active more and participate in physical activities? Other than the goal of 2,000, do you believe that you reached the goal for your school? ---was this fundraiser a success, in your mind? Are you going to receive the PE Equipment? What kinds of equipment will be sent over? When will you receive them? Who are they coming from? http://www.hearta.org/HEARTORG/Giving/ForIndividuals/JoinanEvent/jump-rope-sub-home_UCM_315609_SubHomePage.jsp Contact: Vice Principal Ileana Gutierrez (951) 571-4520