New Scotland Elementary phys ed teacher Jon McClement and his students have lots of heart.
And because of their ongoing commitment to heart health through the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge, every New Scotland student on Friday received a new jump rope.
Since 2009, McClement and his students have raised over $69,000 to support efforts to improve heart health for kids and adults alike, and they did it through jump-roping.
Our community partners at Highmark Blue Shield of NENY purchased the jump ropes – 500 of them!
On hand to present the jump ropes were Amy Young and Alithea Athans of the American Heart Association, along with Bill Galvin of Highmark BlueShield and his son Ryan.
Eleven-year old Ryan Galvin was born with a heart condition that is controlled through medication and exercise. He is a “heart hero.” His father, Bill, is a member of the American Heart Association Board of Directors in addition to being employed at Highmark.
Also recognized Friday was New Scotland’s own heart hero – second grader Payton Garcia-Archie.
Jump ropes were distributed to second and fourth graders at a special assembly, and McClement led them, their teachers and Principal Lesley Buff through a heart-pumping session followed by a cool-down.
Take a look at some Facebook photos from the event. (You don't need a Facebook account to see the pictures linked in the highlighted text. A window may appear that says, "To see more from Albany City Schools on Facebook, log on or create an account,” but you can dismiss it by clicking “not now.”)
