First graders (left to right) Rayan Reese, Ty’Arieal Cummings and Shanaa Pratt choose healthy and unhealthy foods at a health station during Melrose Lower Elementary School’s Heart Health Day

As part of its Bulldog Jump and Heart Health Day on January 14, Melrose Lower Elementary School introduced students to the benefits of an active lifestyle and allowed them to experience hands-on how exercise affects their hearts.  Everyone from teachers and parent volunteers to nurses from Baton Rouge General Medical Center and representatives from Smoothie King participated in the event.

Children also participated in the Jump Rope for Heart event at the school that day, which added to lessons on how the heart works and how to make a heart stronger and healthier.  In addition, students learned about healthy snacks, and parents were given health information and free health assessments.