Kids Heart Challenge!

 

Dear Parents,

The K-5 Elementary Schools will, once again, participate in the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge student exercise event! Throughout the years, our students have made tremendous donations supporting the American Heart Association. 

 

Our school is proud to help the American Heart Association as they are supporting our community in many

ways during this pandemic.  In a normal year, heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, but now

people who have had a stroke or live with heart disease make up more than 40% of those hospitalized for

COVID-19.  The AHA has already funded $2.5 Million in fast-response grants to study COVID-19’s effects on

heart disease patients, launched a COVID-19 Data Registry within the Get with the Guidelines registry that is

used by hundreds of hospitals nationwide.  This has made it possible to learn from COVID patients quickly

and improve treatments more rapidly.  The more that is discovered, the more research is needed.  

We understand that every family may not be able to donate, but all students will enjoy (and learn from) the

weekly missions and have the opportunity to share about heart disease in families and our community.

Before our students ask for donations for the American Heart Association, they will learn (or review) the components of heart health, which are diet and exercise. Diet and exercise are critical elements of both the Physical Education Standards and the Health Standards. This donation drive gives the K-5 Elementary Schools an opportunity to connect these concepts in a thoughtful way.  The students will also learn how the American Heart Association uses donations to help save lives through their education efforts and research.

In addition to providing money for the American Heart Association, this student exercise event provides funds that allow us to enhance learning beyond the classroom.  It is our goal to provide K-5 children with a fun and engaging field day in June where students participate in wellness experiences outside of their regular physical education classes.

  

March 7th -  March 11th  - American Heart Association information and collection envelopes will go home with the students.

March 7th- April 1st - Students will collect donations for the American Heart Association. The donations can be made in the form of cash or checks made payable to your child’s elementary school: Great Falls, Village, or Narragansett.

March 21st - 25th - Students will participate in the exercise challenge during physical education class.

Donations are due back by Friday, April 1st.

We recognize that each family’s ability to contribute at this time may be impacted and strained by a number of factors, notably those associated with the current pandemic we are experiencing.  Please know that a financial contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated, but not expected.  Thank you for supporting this amazing cause! 

Frank Defrancesco Michael Fortier Gary Speed

Great Falls PE Teacher Narragansett PE Teacher Village PE Teacher