Kendall Elementary School received a letter of thanks from the American Heart Association (AHA) for the $7,700 its students raised during the annual Jump Rope for Heart. Every student in grades 2-6 participated in the program as part of a fitness unit in physical education class and had the option of also collecting pledges. This year, 140 students brought in pledges that averaged $55 per student. Physical education teacher Linda Curtis coordinated the event. "Thanks to Linda's dedication, $7,700 was collected to help fight the nation's number one and number three killers, heart disease and stroke," wrote Valarie A. Scott, chairperson of the AHA Board of Directors, New York State Affiliate. As part of the Jump Rope for Heart program, the AHA provides students with materials on how to stay fit, eat right and live healthier lives in hopes that they can avoid cardiovascular disease later in life. "Cardiovascular disease kills more Americans than cancer, AIDS and accidents combined," noted Scott.