Bartlett school raising funds for heart health

Sweethearts and healthy hearts are the focus of Bartlett Elementary students this week.

The school's physical education classes are participating in National Hoops for Heart, a fitness challenge that raises money for the American Heart Association.

Kindergartners through sixth-graders take the challenge during their gym classes, said Gina Bendis, one of the event organizers.

Students rotate from basketball, hula hoop, jump rope and baseball beanbag stations. Each station is supervised by a parent volunteer.

The theme, Bendis said, is: "We are Healthy, We are Strong and We are the Bartlett Bulldogs."

"The kids are excited about it. We start to promote it in early January," Bendis said.

"Usually, it's the gym teacher who has 25 to 30 kids at one time. They love all the different stations."

Bartlett Elementary has participated in Hoops for Heart since 1996. Raising $8,800 last year, this year's goal is $9,000, Bendis said.