BURLINGTON — Burlington Elementary School held its annual “Jump Rope For Heart” event Friday inside the school’s gymnasium.

Loud dance music filled the gym as students jumped rope to strengthen their hearts and help raise money for the American Heart Association.

Brenda Martin, music teacher at Burlington Elementary, said the event began Feb. 1 and Friday’s jump rope session was the end to the month-long campaign.

“February is American Heart Month,” Martin said. “Throughout the month Mr. Jones and I have combined our classes to teach the kids different jump roping techniques. They learned how to double dutch, use basketballs while jumping rope and we are even considering using pogo sticks next year. We had a jump team come to visit us and they had pogo sticks. They see the other kids and then they want to outdo them.”

Martin said the jump rope event is a great combination of gym and music. The students hear the music playing in the gym and jump to the rhythm, she said.

Greg Jones, gym teacher at Burlington Elementary, agreed. He said this was a great event that does a good job of getting the students active doing something they enjoy doing.

“This event teaches them about the heart, lungs and to say no to tobacco,” Jones said. “There are also incentives for them to raise money. There are different levels of gifts given based on the amount earned.”

Jones said he is proud of the students. He said last year the school was recognized as raising the most money in the county. He said they have already raised more than $4,500 this year.

Martin and Jones said they enjoy seeing the students participate in the event year after year. They said it teaches good habits early which will hopefully stick with them throughout their lives.