Iola Middle School students and the American Heart Association are teaming up and taking their cause to the court. Hoops For Heart is an event where students can play basketball and learn how to stay healthy while raising money for the American Heart Association.
Lori Oestreicher, IMS physical education teacher, led the program at a former school. It’s the first year IMS has participated.
The event will be on Dec. 17 during each P.E. class.
“Students are required to bring at least one donation ($1 minimum) to participate,” Oestreicher said.
Oestreicher has set incentives for the students to help raise money for the event. Top fundraiser in each class gets to be the teacher for a day.
“They will get to lead what basketball games the students play in the class,” Oestreicher said.
During a regular class, P.E. students are required to wear a standard uniform. Each class that raises $250, has free rein over what they wear during gym class.
If the school reaches a total of $1,500, they will host a dodgeball tournament. Teachers are invited to create a dodgeball team as well. All of these incentives will take place on Dec. 19 if the students meet the goals.
“The tournament will only be open to Hoops for Heart participants,” she said.
Students also can design posters for the event and then turn them in to the association. The winning design will be selected for the Hoops For Heart T-shirt.
Teaming up for a good cause
