Annual Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart Programs
Raise Funds for the American Heart Association

What are these programs?
The Windermere Prep Physical Education Department focuses on heart health every February. For the sixth consecutive year students will be participating in the American Heart Association's annual Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart programs. These fun events promote physical fitness, help students learn jumping and basketball skills, encourage community service, and raise money to fund lifesaving research and educational programs.

What’s their history at WPS?
Last year WPS students exceeded previous years by collecting a combined total of $13,980 for Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart. The previous year WPS took local, county and state honors as the number-one fund raiser school. This past year we were dethroned by only a $500 margin. This is an outstanding cause for WPS to be involved in, and we are very proud of our students. Studies indicate that 90% of all U.S. citizens have been touched by heart disease or stroke. If it hasn’t affected you personally, it has probably affected at least one friend or relative. Through this year’s Jump Rope and Hoops programs our students will once again have the opportunity to get healthier through exercise, while helping our community fight America's #1 and #3 killers.

How do WPS students participate in this worthwhile cause?
Students in PreK-3 through second grade will participate in Jump Rope for Heart and those in third through sixth will tackle Hoops for Heart. The events will be held in early February. Jump Rope for Heart will be held in the morning, Hoops for Heart in the afternoon.
Students will bring home a flyer about the February activities at the end of January. Parents need to sign the permission slip, and encourage participation. Students simply collect contributions from people who want to support their jumping or basketball endeavors.

Is it true students can collect contributions online?
You'll notice that there is way for your child to do all the legwork on the computer. Out–of-town family and friends can make contributions into a student/specific web site, and your child and WPS will automatically be credited. See how easy this is by checking out the Jump Rope site: www.americanheart.org/jump and/or the Hoops site www.americanheart.org/hoops. The deadline for turning in online contributions is the day of the event.

Are there individual incentives for WPS students?
Students get excited about collecting donations, especially since the American Heart Association offers them incentive thank-you gifts and the WPS Physical Education department receives money towards equipment based on the total donations. Individual thank-you gifts are awarded based on the level of donations a student raises, and these gifts are all outdoor fun and exercise related. Additionally, last year the top three students from each area school were invited to an Orlando Magic game for recognition
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Are there additional merits in setting a new bar for WPS?
Participating in additional community service projects through the American Heart Association presents a very positive image of WPS to the outside community. We set a new bar in 2005 by placing first in the state, but with your help, we can distinguish ourselves with an even higher total this year.

Questions?
If you need any additional information or have any other questions, please contact WPS Athletic Director Tom Raymond at 407-905-7737, x1230, or email him at Tom.Rayond@windermereprep.com