“Phew — I’ve been to many of these events,” said Gary Urey, American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart program director for Maine, “ but this is by far the most festive. Out of the 130 schools in the state ( 85 percent elementary and 15 percent middle level) this is definitely the most unique and most fun — I would imagine Teague Park will be in the top three money raisers in the state.” “I had no intention of staying all day but this has been just awesome, I didn’t want to leave,” Urey added, “this is a win, win event at Teague Park.”
Aroostook Republican photos by Barb Scott
Austin Laplante had everything under control as he grabs his ankle ,making himself as compact as possible while trying to successfully go under the limbo rope during the recent Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.
The Jump Rope for Heart program presented to Teague Park students in grades 3-5, sponsored by the American Heart Association, is taught by Steve Austin, health and physical education teacher. Through the program students learn the importance of exercise, eating right and overall living healthy lifestyles. This year students raised a total of $11,456 with donations continuing to come in the afternoon of the program finale.
The classroom raising the most money for the cause this year was Mrs. Howe’s Room 5, with students raising $1,933.
The elementary students also gain insight to heart disease and as part of their activities they create a memory wall which displays the names of family members or friends that have been effected by heart disease.
Aroostook Republican photos/Barb Scott
Fourth-grade students in Mrs. Howe’s Room 5 at Teague Park Elementary School, raised $1,933 in pledge money (the highest amount of all classrooms) for the American Heart Association during the school’s recent Jump Rope for Heart program. As the top fundraisers, the classroom not only earned bragging rights but also won the right to display the coveted banner.
During this fundraiser for the American Heart Association, students in each classroom collect pledge money for jumping rope. Austin stated, “We try to make sure the kids remember why we do this program, but we also try to do extra incentives to keep everyone focused.” This year’s incentives included not only a wide variety of gifts the students could choose from but also the right to see both Austin and school bus driver Helston Jackson be suspended from the gym wall via duct tape.
Results in the eighth Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser at Teague Park Elementary School, by classroom were: Mrs. Hebert: $373; Mrs. Pelletier, $445; Mrs. Savage, $568; Mrs. Thibodeau, $736; Mrs. Gaunce, $793; Mrs. McDuffie, $864; Mrs. LeVasseur, $905; Mrs. Ouellette, $974; Mrs. Duncan, $1,243; Mrs. Johnson, $1,276; Mrs. St. Peter, $1,346 and Mrs. Howe with $1,933.
Joey Cyr proved all you need to jump ‘double-dutch’ is a little air, during the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.
Andrew Evans, a fifth-grade student at Teague Park Elementary was the winner of this Mongoose bicycle during the recent Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.
Olivia Picard stand with her new Pacific Highlander bike, she received as the result of having her name drawn during the recent Jump Rope for Heart program held at Teague Park Elementary School. Students raise money for the American Heart Association through jumping rope at the same time learning about healthy lifestyles and the importance of exercise. The program at the school is directed by Steve Austin, health and physical education teacher.
Emily McCrossin jumps rope, helping to raise money for the American Heart Association.
Steve Austin, health and physical education teacher at the Teague Park Elementary School was literally stuck to the school’s gymnasium wall recently. As the grand finale of the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser for the American Heart Association, students each had a chance to apply a length of duct tape hoping to secure their teacher to the wall. Donna McCrossin, right, gets ready to give the signal for the student to remove the chair, and leave Austin suspended.
Helston Jackson, friend, bus driver and custodian at Teague Park Elementary proved once again this year what a good sport he is as students duct-taped him to the wall following their Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser.
