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Jumping For Joy, Jumping For Health During National Heart Month

Pouncing Panthers Demonstrate Jump Rope Techniques For The Students At Oakdale Elementary School

Pouncing Panthers coach Judy Davis has been coaching the jump rope team from Pine Point in Stonington for more than four years, and each year the kids on the team make it look easier and easier.

“With time and practice, they get really good at it,” says Davis.

Last week, the team traveled to Oakdale Elementary School for a performance for Jump Rope for Heart, a national fundraising program sponsored jointly by the Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and the American Heart Association.

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The team practices six to eight hours each week, and competes across the country, including at the U.S. Jump Rope Nationals.

“It’s been a great program for the kids. When they go to nationals, they get to meet kids from all over the country, and learn new skills,” Davis says.

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The team hopes to make it to nationals again this year. In April, they will compete in regionals. Until then, they continue will to train and perform whenever possible.

The performance by the Pouncing Panthers at the Oakdale School included single jump rope skills, partner jump skills, and double Dutch.

The Oakdale Elementary students were impressed with the routines.

“I really liked it when they did cartwheels during double Dutch," says Ashley Weekly, a fifth-grade pupil at Oakdale Elementary.

The program was the culmination of Wellness Week at Oakdale Elementary.

Lynn Littlefield, Oakdale Elementary School’s physical education teacher, has involved the school in the program every year for the past 12 years.

“It’s an excellent program, and the kids get really excited about it,” says Littlefield.

This year, Oakdale Elementary raised more than $5,800, which will go to funding research and educational programs in the community.

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