Lunch yesterday afternoon was a bit unusual at Hollymead Elementary School. Students snacked on ice cream sundaes and watched while their principal, Dr. Claire Keiser, was duct taped to the cafeteria wall. The event was part of a school-wide celebration for Hollymead students, who raised a record breaking $20,300 for the American Heart Association.
Physical education teachers Barb Rosen and Jack Carroll headed the school’s Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart campaigns, which began in January and culminated on February 18, when Hollymead surpassed its $20,000 goal. Rosen and Carroll promised students that if they met the fundraising goal, both teachers would shave their heads.
“We’ve been doing this for nine years now, and it’s getting harder and harder to find incentives for the kids,” said Rosen. “Jack suggested it. Of course, he’s got a lot less to lose, but we thought it would be good motivation.”
The plan proved successful. On Monday morning, Rosen’s hairstylist buzzed the proud teachers’ heads. Thanks to the school’s media center, the haircuts were televised in every classroom.
For the past few years, Hollymead Elementary has collected impressive donations for the American Heart Association. The school ranked eighth in the nation last year by raising just over $18,000 during its Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart event. According to Rosen, 95 students made websites for the heart campaign and gathered nearly $5,000 in online donations. Two students with heart disease have attended Hollymead within the past two years.
“It’s insane that we raised $20,000. This will be really hard to top,” said Rosen. According to school counts, 370 children participated in the fundraiser, more than 65 percent of the school’s student population.
