Pubdate: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 Source: News Journal (DE) Copyright: 2006 The News Journal Contact: http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/opinion/index.html Website: http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/822 Author: Mary Alice Garrett, Special to The News Journal KIDS GET A JUMP ON HEALTHY LIVING Jumping Professional's Pro-fitness, Anti-drug Message Ropes In Richey Elementary Students NEWPORT -- Students are getting high without drugs in the Red Clay Consolidated School District. All the district's elementary and middle school students recently participated in "Jump Against Drugs," a nationwide program that encourages youths to live drug-free and physically fit lives. The dynamic presentations featured professional rope jumper Mark Rothstein of Atlanta. Funding was provided by the federal Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program and BofA. "Jumping rope is the medium to reach the kids," said Christine Miller, coordinator of Safe and Drug-Free Schools for Red Clay. "It's important to deliver the drug-free message early. They [younger pupils] are the sponges." And soak it up they did at Richey Elementary School. Almost blown away by Rothstein's electrifying rope jumping, the students quickly got into the act. They clapped to the beat of the blaring rock music, encouraging Rothstein to perform trickier and faster jumping. Between jumps, Rothstein delivered his message: live healthy and substance-free lives. Along with that came development of good character and decision-making skills to keep them safe. His ultimate goal was for the youths to achieve academically and be successful in both school and life. "He delivers a powerful message that hopefully will last a lifetime," said Miller. Rothstein will return to Delaware in November and April to appear at other Red Clay schools, Miller said. Rothstein talked about honesty, manners, teamwork, support and kindness. He also invited a team of 14 on stage to count his jumps. Sweat dripping from his forehead, Rothstein completed 34 consecutive jumps. Next he selected two 7-year-olds -- Maleah Marchegiano and Ian Hill - -- to join him. Maleah, a second-grader had never before jumped rope. Rothstein showed her how to jet spin -- jump while spinning the rope in one hand. "Maleah, that was absolutely wonderful. Pretty soon you'll be an excellent jumper." Her reward was a new jump rope. It was clear that Ian, also a second-grader, had jumped rope before. Rothstein challenged him to more difficult maneuvers, then gave him a small rope that required him to "squat low and jump high." Ian was successful and even did it a second time with his eyes closed. "Ian, you get better with every jump," Rothstein said. Ian's prize was a jump rope or a picture postcard and tape of Rothstein. Ian chose the jump rope. Before Rothstein handed him the rope, however, he repeated the choice of prizes. Again Ian selected the rope. Rothstein said Ian demonstrated good resistance skills by not letting himself be pressured when making a choice -- one of Rothstein's earlier messages. Miller has gotten good feedback from families about the drug-awareness programs. One grandmother said, "We've had drugs in our family, and we don't want to have to deal with them again." Richey Principal Dorothy Johnson was pleased. "The kids just loved it. We send a message every day. We are a family, and this program just reinforced that." Family health fairs are planned at many of the Red Clay schools Oct. 23-28. Children and adults will be asked to sign large banners pledging to be drug-free. The health fairs are part of National Red Ribbon Week, a week devoted to keeping drugs out of the nation's schools. Rothstein travels the country and abroad to present his motivational school programs. Since 1985, he has performed more than 8,500 school shows to 5 million students. He also works with school basketball and wrestling teams and appears before corporate groups. He holds two world records for marathon rope jumping -- the most recent for 36 hours of continuous jumping. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine