Jeffco Schools Superintendent Dan McMinimee leads a group of energetic students through their paces while subbing as a P.E. teacher at Arvada K-8.
Arvada K-8 P.E. Teacher Alicia Knickerbocker got a little break from teaching when Superintendent Dan McMinimee filled in for her. McMinimee’s temporary sub job was part of a special reward from the American Heart Association.
“Today Mr. McMinimee is coming to sub for me because I got his incentive reward for having the highest increase in money raised for Jump Rope for Heart from last year to this year,” explained Knickerbocker.
Jump Rope for Heart is a program sponsored by the American Heart Association to promote physical education, to teach children about heart disease, and to fundraise for cardiovascular disease research, stroke research, and health education.
To encourage participation among Jeffco Public Schools, Superintendent Dan McMinimee offered to recognize and reward three schools for outstanding achievement in these American Heart Association programs, and substitute teach P.E. classes at each school.
Arvada K-8 increased donations by 426 percent. Superintendent McMinimee also rewarded the school with a $1,000 addition to the P.E. budget, to help keep students healthy all year long.
McMinimee, a former P.E. teacher, got students moving with fun games that incorporated exercise. Both the students and the Superintendent enjoyed this special day.
“Kids are just so fun to be around, and I mean just the excitement and the wiggles they got. It’s just a great time,” said McMinimee.
While everyone was fun, they were also learning about the importance of being active and staying healthy.
“The biggest thing is to make sure that kids are understanding how to take care of their own heart”, said Janeen McDonald from the American Heart Association. “Learning how to stay healthy by jumping rope and doing other things, and then also understanding how to help others that may have sick hearts.”
McMinimee also taught a class at Parmalee Elementary, which had the highest number of students participate in Jump Rope for Heart, and at Mitchell Elementary, which raised the most in total donations for the program this year.
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