May 13, 2016 – Roxboro Elementary School students and staff celebrated breaking their own regional Jump Rope for Heart fundraising record with a roof-rattling all-school assembly on May 6, culminating in a pie-in-the-face for ten staff members.
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For the second year in a row, Roxboro Elementary raised the most money out of 186 schools in the eastern territory - Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Lake, and Medina counties. The total raised for the American Heart Association by Rox El was $12,412.12.
At the assembly, Principal Michael Jenkins addressed the room of students, expressing his pride in the efforts of the children and staff to raise funds for such an important cause. Mr. Jenkins recognized the leadership of physical education teacher Vince Nemeth, who recently received one of 10 national Jump Rope for Heart/ Hoops for Heart grants from SHAPE America - Society of Health and Physical Educators.
Mr. Nemeth thanked all of the students, parents, staff, community, families and PTA for their support and encouragement. He then read the names of each student who participated in JRFH. The students each stood to be recognized and received a big round of applause at the end.
Next, Valerie Smith, Youth Market Director for the American Heart Association, explained to the students just how important their fundraising efforts are in saving lives, and that the money has a direct impact on our community.
“The money you raised will help us educate kids and grown-ups in how to keep their hearts healthy,” said Smith.
Clare Taft, president of Roxboro Elementary’s PTA, then revealed a banner that the organization purchased to display the school’s accomplishments.
"Mr. Nemeth's enthusiasm and encouragement brings out the best in our students. He challenged them to beat last year's Jump Rope for Heart goal, and they did," said Taft. "I've already penciled in a date on next year's calendar for another record-breaking assembly. We are so fortunate to have teachers, students, and families who work together to make great things happen at Rox El."
In an exciting addition to the assembly line-up, representatives from PPG Industries were on hand to present the school with a donation of $8,000 to support physical health and wellness initiatives at the school. According to Mr. Nemeth, the money will be used to purchase equipment for a four-station fitness circuit at the school: exercise bikes, heart rate monitor watches, pull-up bars, mat, fitness visuals for each station and more.
Next, several students from each grade level grabbed their jump ropes and took to the stage to demonstrate the routines they learned in gym class, to the song “Sandstorm.” Mr. Nemeth explained that the students had to perform a skill test to be chosen for the performance.
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Finally, Mr. Nemeth called up 10 staff members to take their place on stage. The top 10 student fundraisers took turns smashing a whipped cream pie into the face of the staff member of their choice. The teachers, although many appeared a little reluctant at first, seemed to have just as much fun as the students!
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The entire District has worked this year to raise funds for the American Heart Association through Jump Rope For Heart, Hoops For Heart, and High School Red Out. Total fundraising efforts in CH-UH schools to date:
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Canterbury Elementary School
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$3,000.50
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Gearity Professional
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$2,460.20
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Noble Elementary School
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$1,887.75
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Fairfax Elementary School
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$1,110.00
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Monticello Middle School
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$1,053.50
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Roxboro Middle School
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$77.73 (in progress)
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Boulevard Elementary School
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In progress
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Cleveland Heights High School
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In progress
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Oxford Elementary School
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In progress
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