San Marcos students jump for a cause

By: NOELLE IBRAHIM - Staff Writer
Elementary students raise money for heart research | Thursday, February 14, 2008 1:06 AM PST ∞

SAN MARCOS -- San Elijo Elementary students jumped Wednesday at the chance to get physically fit and learn about activities that could strengthen their hearts.

"I exercise almost every day and I don't eat any junk food," said fifth-grader Jordyn Klein, as she took a break from playing hopscotch. "It's important so you don't do something that's bad for your heart."

The school held its fourth annual Jump Rope for Heart day Wednesday, an educational fundraiser for the American Heart Association. The group emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle, which includes physical activity, eating well, living tobacco-free and controlling high blood pressure.

"Part of our school's focus is healthy, active, physically fit kiddos," said Principal Lynda McDonell, adding that the event went with the school's theme for the month -- responsibility. "Ultimately, they're responsible for themselves, so they have to learn at an early age to make choices about their health and fitness."

Students rotated between jumping rope, Hula-Hooping, jumping hurdles and doing jumping jacks for five minutes at a time Wednesday during an hourlong session of physical activity.

"It's great to get out and have some fun with your friends, and we're doing it for a great cause," said fifth-grader R.J. Hazen between jumping rope. "It's very important to stay fit and healthy."

The activity stations were a way to promote the value of physical activity as a lifelong habit that can help guard against cardiovascular disease, the nation's No. 1 killer, according to the America Heart Association.

"If you don't start healthy habits at that age, it's a lot harder to start those habits when you're older," said parent Robin Rafferty, who is co-vice president of extracurricular activities for the school's Parent Teacher Organization.

According to the heart association, only one in 10 Americans participates in 30 minutes or more of vigorous activity every day. In addition, more than 9 million children and adolescents are overweight and 23 percent get no exercise, the association's Web site states. Most obese children have at least one major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin or blood pressure.

"We're trying to take those childhood obesity numbers down some," said Kathy Warrington, youth marketing director for the American Heart Association who helps coordinate Jump Rope for Heart.

In addition to thinking about healthy choices, students have been collecting donations from family and friends to support heart and stroke research. The school's goal is to raise $10,000 -- double what it generated last year, McDonell said. The school is in a friendly competition with Discovery Elementary, McDonell said. If San Elijo reaches its goal and Discovery doesn't, Discovery's principal must jump rope at her school's flag salute and vice versa, she said.

The school has raised about $15,000 over the last three years, said Warrington.

"It teaches kids about community service and giving back," she said.

-- Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 740-3517 or nibrahim@nctimes.com.

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