March 27 marked the kick-off of several healthy initiatives at Byron-Bergen Elementary School: the 2015 Jump Rope for Heart Campaign, benefitting the American Heart Association (AHA), and the celebration of the school’s recently-awarded NFL Fuel Up to Play 60 grant. Back-to-back assemblies, for grades K-2, 3-4, and 5-6, each featured a short presentation from the Heart Association’s Robin Swan and an energetic and entertaining Zumba workout from instructor Melissa Mutter.
The Fuel Up to Play 60 program was founded by the National Football League and the National Dairy Council, in collaboration with the USDA. It supports nationally recommended standards for health and physical activity. “We are excited to have been awarded a $4,000 grant,” said Principal Brian Meister. “It will help us meet our wellness goals for students, including creating a new salad bar for more healthy lunches. We’ll also be participating in FitnessGram (an assessment tool designed to help young people develop active habits for a lifetime and giving kids their own pedometers.”
AHA representative Swan introduced the assembled students to the Jump Rope for Heart program, a fun, fundraising event that promotes sports and fitness and educates students about heart disease and stroke, with a video featuring a young girl with heart disease, and games which included colorful Lifesaver Ducks.
Then students (and teachers, too) got on their feet and set their hearts pumping and their bodies moving with Mutter, who led the audience in a rollicking Zumba session.
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