Did you know that jump roping for ten minutes is the equivalent to running an eight-minute mile? ESD lower school students do! 

ESD kindergarteners through fourth graders had a ball at the annual Kids Heart Challenge today. Dressed in red, students enjoyed double-dutch and multi-person jump rope games with friends and parents or opted to show off their new skills with single-person jump ropes.  

Leading up to the culminating jump rope celebration, students learned about heart health and the human body during P.E. classes. Although social distancing and high-touch items prevented the traditional on-site nutrition unit and heart research instruments, the popular hands-on tables were back in the gym for this year's event - this year featuring a donated deer heart!  Many thanks to Dena Geier, Wendy Howe, Jenny Pannell, and Hollie Read, our incredible lower school physical education teachers; classroom teachers and staff; parents; and jumpers who continue this treasured and important tradition.

Founded at ESD more than 30 years ago by retired P.E. instructor Kris Brockhagen, this program is designed to educate children of all ages about the dangers of heart disease and steps they can take, even at a young age, to prevent illness in themselves and those around them. The Kids Heart Challenge is sponsored by The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD), and the American Heart Association. Interested families may make donations benefiting the American Heart Association under "The Episcopal School of Dallas" at heart.org/jump.