Did you know that your heart beats 100,000 times a day? That it pumps 2,000
gallons of blood through your body? That the heart’s thump-thump is the sound of
its four valves closing? The heart is the about the size of your fist. The heart is the
body’s work horse and keeping it healthy, means eating nutritious food, being
physically active, not using tobacco products and (managing stress), maintaining a
healthy weight. February has been designated as American heart month. Heart
disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.
Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.
(my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/heart../heart-facts)
As PE teachers, we strive to teach students skills that can be used for a lifetime to
maintain health and prevent chronic disease. In addition to getting regular
physical exercise (30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 times a week), eating a
healthy diet means eating more “real” food from the five food groups, like fresh
fruits and vegetables, fish, chicken, nuts, beans, milk, whole grain bread, and
healthy fats found in olive oil, avocados and nut butters. Beware of added sugar.
We talk to our students about the importance of heart health in hopes they learn
how to be heart healthy. Next time you are sitting around the dinner table, ask
your son or daughter what it means to be heart healthy.
We are once again delighted to participate in Jump Rope for Hearts. This annual
event is sponsored by the American Heart Association to raise awareness about
heart disease, how it can be prevented, and to raise funds for research and
programs to fight it.
By now if you have a child in grades 3-5, they have likely brought home
information on the school’s participation in this annual event. On Tuesday,
February 10, 2015, all Winkelman students will be jumping rope in PE class.
Students in grades 3 – 5 who chose to participate in optional fundraising for this
event will be recognized for their efforts with prizes from the American Heart
Association. A series of tiered prizes will be given to those students who achieve
certain monetary levels again from the American Heart Association. The
contribution deadline is March 13, 2015. All students have been working hard
learning how to jump rope using single, individual jump ropes and long jump
ropes. Ask your students what they like better, single or long ropes. Ask them if
they can do any tricks, using either the single or long rope. Lastly, continue to
talk to your children about being heart healthy and continue being a role model to
your children when it comes to engaging in healthy habits.
Keep your hearts healthy and have a happy heart healthy month!
Sincerely,
The PE staff