Local students get ‘jumpy’ over working as a team

American Heart Association sponsors ‘Jersey Jumpers.’

By:Michael Maugeri
   BORDENTOWN CITY — There’s much to be said for being an individual in this world.
   But for 25 students at the Clara Barton Elementary School in Bordentown City, it is teamwork and learning to cooperate together that’s going to bring them success in their most recent endeavor.
   The students have formed two jumping rope squads and will be performing a 30-minute program at six local schools in the upcoming months.
   The Blue Squad and White Squad, named for the school’s colors, are being sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA) and will encourage students from other schools to participate in the AHA’s Jump Rope For Heart (JRH) program.
   The JRH program raises funds through donations for medical research and for programs such as HeartPower! that help prevent heart disease and stroke.
   Jump Rope For Heart also teaches students the benefits of physical activity and how to keep their hearts healthy.
   Clara Barton will hold its Jump Rope for Heart fund-raiser on Feb. 20.
   Clara Barton is one of only two jumping rope exhibition schools in the entire state and the only one in southern New Jersey. Collectively, the 25 fourth- to sixth-grade students, are known as "The Jersey Jumpers."
   Barbara Boucher, the school’s health and physical education teacher for the past two decades, said she felt inspired to get the ball rolling. She held tryouts to form exhibition squads for the first time because the school has enjoyed participating in the JRH program for the past 14 years.
   A total of 40 kids vied for the 25 slots in November of 2002. It was extremely difficult, she said, to choose.
   Why are these teams so rare in the state? Ms. Boucher said it is an intensive, time-consuming activity for the students and they must truly dedicate many hours of practice to form solid routines. The Jersey Jumpers practice three days a week after school.
   "It’s a good overall mix of boys and girls," Ms. Boucher said. "The kids have really excelled and it has done wonders for their self-esteem."
   While Ms. Boucher said she has yet to confirm the squads’ entire performance schedule, this February, the students will visit St. Mary’s School in Bordentown City on Feb. 6 and the Peter Muschal Elementary School in Bordentown Township on Feb. 27.
   They also will travel to Marlton Evesham Township in southern Burlington County for a performance at an elementary school on Feb. 18.
   Ms. Boucher said the AHA wants the students to perform at least six dates, but school officials in the Bordentown district said they were worried that students would miss too much school.
   That is why, she explained, there are two squads. The Blue Squad will perform at three of the dates and the White Squad will perform during the other three dates.
   "The AHA sees us as its ambassadors," she said, smiling.
   The AHA covers the expenses of the exhibitions, including special T-shirts, all the jumping rope equipment and school bus travel reimbursement.
   The students have been putting together a program set to various types of music, including rock, pop and electronic. There will be single jumpers, intricate double Dutch routines and other clever moves to delight the crowds. The routine also includes an audience participation segment.
   Clara Barton Principal Berenice Blum-Bart said the teams already have practiced their routines for their own classmates.
   "You should’ve seen it; it was amazing," she said, ginning. "They performed for the school and the audience had so much respect for the squads. The audience was in such awe afterward that you could hear a pin drop."
   Both Ms. Blum-Bart and Ms. Boucher both agreed that the teams are a way for students to interact with other students they’ve never talked to before; and cooperation, respect and future friendships can form when the students are brought together as they work toward their common goal.
   Fourth-grade student Andrew Lahr said he enjoys performing because "you get to do a lot of tricks."
   "And it’s a good way to keep myself healthy," said sixth-grader Tracey Romberger, who no doubt made the AHA proud by her comment.
   Both said they get a little excited and nervous before a performance, but the main goal is to have fun and not worry about the people in the audience.
   Andrew said he liked the double Dutch routines because "there is a great sound and special rhythm to the ropes," while Tracey enjoys the "double under," in which the rope swings under a jumper quickly two times during a single jump.
   Ms. Boucher said students thrilled with mastering jumping rope moves come to her in excitement exclaiming, "I learned a new trick!"
   "They’re practicing now in their attics, basements and bedrooms," she said, joking afterward that she hoped parents don’t complain to her about all the jumping around in their homes.
   While it is a lot of fun, Ms. Boucher also stressed that the students must maintain good grades to remain on the team.
   "This is a great way for students to stay healthy, learn philanthropy (by helping the AHA) and to work together," she said.