ESD Tradition Celebrates Its 43rd Year and Promotes Heart Health

Since 1981, The Episcopal School of Dallas lower schoolers have participated in the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge, formerly known as Jump Rope for Heart. Kids Heart Challenge raises awareness for cardiovascular disease, which is the number one cause of death worldwide. ESD's 43rd event will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023. 

Next Friday's activities are part of months of lessons learning about heart health and teaching students how to jump rope. Some will master additional skills like double-dutch and multi-person jumping. After the event, health lessons focus on food and healthy eating.

"We want our kids and families to know that being active and healthy eating both help to minimize risk factors for heart disease and improve overall health," said Lower School PE Teacher Hollie Read.

Jumping rope is cost and space effective. It requires one small piece of equipment, takes very little space, and can be done anywhere. Benefits of jump roping include:  

• improving cardiovascular endurance (strengthening your heart muscle and enhancing lung capacity)
• building strength
• improving balance and coordination
• providing a full-body workout
• relieving stress 

Many thanks to Dena Geier, Wendy Howe, Jenny Pannell, and Hollie Read, our incredible lower school physical education teachers, for their work in bringing this event to life. 

About the National Event:
Jump Rope for Heart started in Milwaukee in 1978 as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association at Riverside High School. A few public Texas schools jumped in 1980. Under Kris Brockhagen's leadership, ESD was the first private school in Texas to participate in 1981. Interested families may donate to the American Heart Association under "The Episcopal School of Dallas" at heart.org/jump.