February is American Heart Month, bringing attention to strengthening our hearts through exercise and eating healthy.

Pakanasink has been marking heart month each year by participating in the Kids Heart  Challenge. During physical education classes, students learn why it’s important to stay healthy and active, from their teachers and a video. They learn activities that will keep their heart rate up and the importance of doing that.

 

Teachers Alyssa DiMaio and Steve Distefano set up stations  throughout the gym. Students rotate to each station throughout their gym classes. There is the wall climb – moving horizontally across; basketball, hurdles, jump rope and hula hoop, cup stacking and finally the stepping stones. These activities not only increase heart rate but also agility, strength and balance.

 

 

“We talk about exercise keeping your heart healthy and discuss what foods we should eat,” said Ms. DiMaio, who meets with a representative from the American Heart Association prior to the commencement of heart month. Students got to sign the poster in the hallway, getting everyone on board.

 

 

The students and their families can download the app – Kids Heart Challenge – or login on their Chromebook to sign up for the challenge. It’s free and the class with the most students signed up gets a prize from their teachers.

 

Kids Heart Challenge is also a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. PAK will do it from Jan. 30 through Feb. 17. In less than a week, PAK had raised more than $2,000, according to Mr. Distefano! Not too shabby!  

Get out there and take a walk, jump some rope, shoot some hoops – whatever you enjoy to keep your heart healthy!