Keeton Lance, left, and Kevin Ortiz work on their heart health during Jump Rope for Heart Friday at Burleson. | Joy Haynes

The Jump Rope for Heart program concluded at F.E. Burleson Friday with a freestyle jump rope session for every grade during their P.E. class.

Students were encouraged to raise money to support the American Heart Association and become “Heart Heroes.” They learned that heart health is important, and jump roping can help the cardiovascular system.

Second grader Avery Holt raised over $300. P.E. teacher Lisa Halbrooks said that was the most she had seen since she had been involved with Jump Rope for Heart.

Each student received incentives to raise money, earning a splatter duck and a lanyard for meeting certain goals. A splatter duck is a small rubber duck with colorful paint splatters that hooks to a lanyard students can wear around their neck.

“The incentives have really been a big hit,” Halbrooks said. “They love turning in money to get the splatter ducks. They wear them proudly and are always working hard to get more.”

Students also earn beads for learning how to perform certain jump rope tricks. Each colored bead represents a different level of difficulty.

Hartselle’s elementary schools have been involved with Jump Rope for Heart for more than 10 years.