February is heart month at the Washington State School for the Blind. Students will be learning the anatomy of the heart, will explore the science that keeps their heart pumping, will test positive lifestyle habits to maintain a healthy heart, will learn fun and amazing heart facts, will better understand heart healthy nutrition, will apply movement and exercise routines for healthy bodies and can become certified in lifesaving CPR. Not only will students be learning how to keep their own hearts pumping, they will join the effort in the fight against heart disease and stroke with the American Heart Association. To accomplish all this amazing learning, I invite all staff to add lessons and activities in their teaching that incorporate the heart.
On Thursday February 16th we will host our annual “Exercise for Heart Day.” This event is our most valuable activity that opens student’s minds to understand the importance of heart health. This event was created as an adaptation event for blind and visually impaired students to participate fully in the American Heart Association’s “Jump Rope for Heart/Hoops for Heart” fundraising and heart health awareness program. The American Heart Association has changed the former name of “Jump Rope for Heart” to “Kids Heart Challenge.” The challenge here on the WSSB campus will be to see how many minutes we can exercise in one school day. Individuals and classes can participate in walking, running, biking, rowing, swimming, dancing, jump roping, hula hooping, goalball, basketball, soccer, floor hockey, climbing, balancing, posing and much more. Teachers can have students exercise before academic tests and lessons or can just bring their entire class over to promote movement for increased brain function and memory. We have clocked well over 8,000 minutes of exercise during past events. We aim to increase that number this year.
Donate to the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge here!