Pies, duct tape and love: school raises heart awareness to honor beloved staff member

Corporate Landing Elementary School held a schoolwide pep rally on Oct. 31 celebrating raising over $3,500 for the American Heart Association by participating in the Kids Heart Challenge.

Families and staff participated in the challenge in honor of the school’s dedicated security guard, John “JP” Patterson, who passed away after undergoing heart surgery earlier this school year.

Students actively participated in the celebration by raising a paper heart in the air each time Mr. JP’s name was said during the ceremony.

After more than doubling the initial fundraising goal of $1,500, students earned the opportunity to help duct-tape principal Jennifer Haws and PE teacher James Grassano to the wall and pie them in the face.

Through the challenge, students and families learned hands-only CPR, warning signs of stroke and the benefits of physical activity, while raising funds for children with heart conditions.

Visit this link for more information about the Kids Heart Challenge at elementary schools. Danica Turk is a media liaison and office associate at Corporate Landing Elementary. Substitute teacher Shyanne Southern assisted with photography for this story.