The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Ecole McIsaac School students are putting their hearts to good use _ literally and figuratively. Throughout May, about 150 students are taking part in Jump Rope for Heart to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. While enjoying a heart-pumping aerobic workout, they are also helping Manitobans whose hearts aren't as healthy. 'When kids can do things that are fun, they don't even realize they're exercising,' says Brenda Chrupalo, who is running the program along with Doug Gawiak. On the fundraising side, Chrupalo notes that Jump Rope for Heart supports research and education around heart disease and stroke. The goal of the month-long event is to raise $9,000 _ and as of Tuesday nearly $4,000 had already poured in. If the $9,000 goal is met, vice-principal Steve Lytwyn will have to sport pink hair for a day. That's right, pink! On Tuesday afternoon, nearly 80 students from grades 1 and 2 rotated through different jump-roping stations. One station saw a ring on the end of a rope get swung around at ground level. Standing in a circle, students had to jump at the right time to avoid stopping the ring. Chrupalo noted that she and Gawiak have received help with the event from McIsaac staff, parents and the parent advisory council. Jump Rope for Heart alternates between McIsaac and Ruth Betts Community School every two or three years.
