Highlands Elementary School Heart Heroes

Highlands, NJ - On Thursday, February 12, 2015 nearly 200 students at Highlands Elementary School took a break from their daily lessons to participate in their annual Jump Rope for Heart Event.

This event started in Highlands in 1999 by Ms. Joan Letts, former physical education teacher. Mrs. Dena Harmon-Cook took over the program in 2007 and has been trying to beat the school record of $4,700 ever since. During the first week in January, students were informed that this year’s incentive would be a bit different. In the past students have been rewarded with prizes such as extra recess time, pajama parties and pizza parties; but this year Mrs. Cook had something special in mind. Using this year’s theme of “put your ducks in a row”, she decided that if the school raised over $3000 she would dress up like a duck and be duct taped to the wall next to the school’s principal, Mrs. Rosemary Schutz.

Students worked extra hard, raising money both in person and online, to achieve this goal. They created web pages and emailed family and friends for additional donations. Staff members also helped raise funds by hosting a ”denim day” during the month of February. In only a month, students and staff were able to raise an impressive $4,155 for the American Heart Association.

On Wednesday, February 11th, the school celebrated with a pre-Jump Rope for Heart assembly where all-star jumpers from each grade performed a mini routine accompanied by popular music. Students used ropes, trampolines, moon hoppers, jump bands, pogo sticks and hoops to create a one minute routine. During the assembly, students of all grade levels also chanted and cheered while they watched both Mrs. Harmon-Cook and Mrs. Schutz get duct taped.

Both Wednesday and Thursday were special days for anyone teaching in the Highlands district; administrators, aides, teachers and especially Mrs. Harmon-Cook were extremely proud of all their students’ success. Each student worked hard to learn new rope tricks, learn about the heart and donate to a special cause; they should be proud of themselves for all their hard work and dedication to the American Heart Association.