Bordewich-Bray students ready to jump

Students at Bordewich-Bray Elementary School are jumping at the chance to show off their skills.

The Bordewich-Bray Jump Rope Club will be hosting their end of the year performance for the community to showcase the jump rope tricks and skills they have learned. Twenty-three fourth and fifth graders will perform tricks from double dutch to around the world for their families and the community Feb. 9 and then for their classmates Feb. 10 at Bordewich-Bray.

The students met every Tuesday and Wednesday morning before school from October to February with club instructor, kindergarten teacher Donna Sharp, to learn new tricks and skills with the jump rope.

“The club is just about the kids coming out and having fun,” Sharp said.

The program started more than 13 years ago, when the school district decided to create enrichment opportunities for students outside of the classroom. Sharp, who had a fifth grader at the time thought jump rope would be a fun activity for students to learn, so she bought a training book and started the Jump Rope Club.

“I love doing this because it is so positive for the kids,” Sharp said. “I have seen students just blossom with this club and the kids are excited to learn about jump roping each day.”

The club is open only to fourth and fifth graders at Bordewich-Bray, and Sharp said she has students asking her all year when the club starts because they get so excited to join. The only requirement Sharp has is students and parents are committed to attending the club meetings in the morning.

For their end of the year show, the students will demonstrate a variety of jumps they have learned this year, including showing their parents their favorite jumps. The performance is also a kick off for the Jump Rope for Heart program at Bordewich for the students.

The performance is Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. at Bordewich-Bray Elementary School.