February is American Heart Month

Eating healthy and engaging in physical activity are the hallmarks of a healthy heart! In honor of American Heart Month, SHAPE America is proud to share these brand-new lifesaving resources for cardiac emergencies at school, as well as practical tips to create an engaging heart-health celebration!

Implement a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in Your School

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes and can also strike children participating in routine school and sports activities. Would you know how to respond if a cardiac emergency happened at your school? A prompt response can save a life! 

SHAPE America, as part of a task force of national health and safety organizations, has developed a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) for schools.

• Learn more about a school-based Cardiac Emergency Response Plan

Exercise the Heart School-Wide

Planning a special Heart Month school assembly or event for your class? Choose from SHAPE America's collection of fun and free cardio-focused physical activities and heart-themed ideas. 

Each activity includes the objective, grade level, necessary equipment and the standards met.

• Artery Tag - Elementary 
• Understanding Heart Rate - Secondary 
• Cause and Effect Cardio - Adapted
• New! Dance Your Heart Out - Adapted
• New! Aquatic Tabata Fitness - Adapted
• New! Risky Business - Elementary
• New! Amazing Heart Facts - Elementary
• New! Jump Rope for Heart Honor Hearts - Elementary
• New! Battleship - Elementary
• New! Roll the Dice Workout - Secondary

• Heart Health Assessment - Elementary 
• Heart Squeeze - Secondary
• New! Making My Plate Great - Secondary

• Do you have a heart-focused lesson or activity to share with other teachers? Learn how you can win a "heart-health swag bag" when you upload your idea through the Activity Sharefeature of our signature Teacher's Toolbox. We'll be sure to feature your activities right here on our Heart Month page!
• Check out our special February heart-themed physical activity calendar full of instant activity ideas to share with family, friends and colleagues.
• Not a member? Access archived calendars!
• Share your favorite activity ideas and tips and success stories for Heart Month using#SHAPEHeartMonth

Support Healthy Hearts All Year Through JRFH/HFH

As part of our commitment to empower all children to lead healthy and active lives through effective health and physical education programs, SHAPE America is proud to be a longtime co-sponsor of the Jump Rope For Heart/Hoops For Heart (JRFH/HFH) programs!

• Engage students in physical activity 
• Empower kids to improve their own health
• Raise awareness of heart disease and stroke 
• Directly support our professions at the state and national level

Learn how JRFH/HFH offers students many opportunities to achieve the national standard for health and physical education!

More about the program and tips for your event:

• New to JRFH/HFH? Learn more!
• Already a coordinator?Help kids connect to the cause! Identify a local heart hero and share their story during your special event. Plus, don't forget about the new American Heart Association pups. Show them off to encourage all students to get involved next year.
• Find more tips for planning your event Got a tip of your own? Share it with us!
• Earn a free SHAPE America membership!