U-46 monitors elementary students' heart rates in gym class

Elgin Area School District U-46 has started monitoring heart rates for grade schoolers in gym classes in its 40 elementary schools, officials said Monday.

A $5,000 grant from the U-46 Education Foundation helped purchase the monitors - one for each school.

"Students, first through sixth grade, are now learning how to self-assess their activity level based on the heart rate monitor," said Tracey Jakaitis, student wellness and K-12 physical education coordinator. "Students will be able to check their pulse during activity to determine if they need to increase or decrease their activity level."

The monitors allow students to get immediate feedback on their heart rate and act as a motivator for increasing physical activity, said Steve Haskin, elementary physical education teacher at Coleman School.

The goal is to try to get students heart rates up to 140 to 150 beats per minute, he added.

"They just love this thing and I wish I had five of them," Haskin said. "Great activity. Great motivator for students."

The grant request was submitted to the U-46 Educational Foundation in April and the foundation board approved the request in June.

"We appreciate the support of the U-46 Educational Foundation," CEO Tony Sanders said. "The organization believes in enriching our programs to benefit our students."

The U-46 Educational Foundation, started in 2006, is a nonprofit group of community leaders and district supporters.

"We saw this program as an opportunity to enhance student learning while using technology in physical education class," said Jaime Garcia, foundation board president.

Donors can target their donations to specific projects. For more information or to contribute, visit u-46.org and click on U-46 Educational Foundation under the "Community" tab.