It’s also been a lot of money raised for the Heart and Stroke Foundation at Parrsboro Regional Elementary School, more than $80,000 in fact, through the Jump Rope for Heart program every year since 1992.
School principal Norma Collinson pointed out to the students during an assembly Thursday morning that their efforts have gone towards helping a lot of people, including those in their own community.
“We’re definitely giving to our community,” she said. “Teaching in Parrsboro elementary is not just about math and reading, it’s also about giving back to your community and helping people, not just yourself.”
Students collect pledges and then take part in the jump-roping event at the school each year.
This year, it almost didn’t happen, according to Collinson.
“Because of work-to-rule and the strike issue, many schools did not do this,” she said. “So, bravo to our staff for taking it on, because you didn’t have to. During work-to-rule, we were not doing extra, and, as soon as it was over, we had it already planned and went forward with it.”
This year the school raised $4,341.45, the most the school has raised in six years, according to Collinson, who pointed out they accomplished this despite having fewer students now than at that time.
Of that total, $1,225.90 of that coming from the Grade Primary-One class, earning them the top spot. Top individual fundraisers were Grade 4 student Dante Oliveira ($689.70), Grade Primary student Harley MacAloney ($502) and Grade 1-2 student Cole Adams ($206.90).
Aside from being a fundraiser for the foundation, schools take part in Jump Rope for Heart to inspire them to be physically active and eat well; to help others and give back to the community; to help support life-saving research; and to earn activity-focused prizes for their efforts. Several of these prizes were presented at the assembly, as well as a banner from the foundation recognizing the school’s 25 years of participation in the program.
