Getting Heart Healthy at USM

University School of Milwaukee Preschool and Lower School students participated in fun, interactive activities in their physical education classes to learn about healthy hearts. Starting on Feb. 3, students participated in the Kids Heart Challenge sponsored by the American Heart Association. Through the program, Preschool and Lower School physical education teachers Brooke Bernbeck and Jennifer Lee hosted fun activities in school with engaging educational modules that teach heart-healthy information to students. 

The Kids Heart Challenge teaches students how to take care of their hearts and brains while practicing kindness and gratitude, and also how to de-stress. By completing various “missions,” students and families learned hands-only CPR, how to recognize the warning signs of a stroke, and how the heart works, while raising life-saving donations for the American Heart Association. USM students raised a school-record $35,562 to benefit the American Heart Association and kids facing heart-health issues.

In addition to the Kids Heart Challenge, Bernbeck and Lee invited jump rope pro Nick Woodard to host classroom takeovers throughout the week of Feb. 24 to teach students about the benefits of jumping rope.

Woodard has been part of the sport of jump rope for 30 years, and has won several national and world championships throughout his career. He has traveled the world promoting the sport to children, and is the owner of the Learnin’ The Ropes jump rope program. His visit to USM was supported by a Think Big grant, an endowed fund supported by generous donors so that USM teachers can apply for funding to obtain curricular enhancements and to engage in professional development opportunities.