Batavia schools partner with American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge
Six Batavia Unit District 101 schools partnered with the American Heart Association last school year to make an impact in the fight against heart disease. It is with great thanks that the district recognizes the following individuals for their efforts in support of the American Heart Association through the Kids Heart Challenge:
• Mike Park and Principal Tim McDermott at Alice Gustafson;
• Rhonda Gamlin and Principal Jeff Modaff at Grace McWayne;
• Greg Fink and Principal Gina Greenwald at Hoover Wood;
• Phil Albrecht and Principal Nicole Prentiss at J.B. Nelson;
• Jim Lau and Principal Kevin Skomer at Louise White;
• Sandy Krantz and Team and Principal Kelly Karnick at Rotolo Middle School.
This program is designed to teach students in a memorable and fun way how to stay heart healthy not only physically but mentally too.
Hoover-Wood Elementary School Principal Gina Greenwald said her students look forward to this challenge each year, "I am so proud of HWS's long tradition of supporting the American Heart Association. Last year, students raised almost $4,000 for this worthy cause and each year they get excited about trying to outdo themselves."
Not only do they teach their students to be healthy but they reiterate the importance of helping others, and offer an outlet for donations to the American Heart Association to go towards advancement in cardiovascular research, local hospitals to provide guidelines for the best care, advocacy efforts, and more.
While donations are not required to participate in the program, these school communities still raised a total of $14,786.12 to fight our nation's leading cause of death, heart disease, and had 181 elementary students taking the challenge to better their health.
American Heart Association's Youth Market Director, Jessica Petersen says, "We are inspired and we are grateful for what the BPS101 teachers do, but also the support of the entire school community in Batavia. Now, more than ever, education on staying heart healthy is so very important to keep hearts strong with COVID present. Additionally, the AHA has been helping to fund research on the effects of COVID-19 and why it is causing heart disease."
For additional information on the American Heart Association or the Kid Heart Challenge, visit www.heart.org.