Date: Fri 14-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

Owne-Gallagher-jump-rope

Full Text:

Beyond Double Dutch -

When Mr Gallagher Says Jump...

The Head O' Meadow Jump Rope Team coached by Owen Gallagher, far right,

includes the following students: Front row, from left, Sloan Schnell, Lauren

Borruso, Margaret Randall, Allison Koch and Britanny Boyle. Second row,

Allison Klein, Brittany Meier, Brittany Welch, Megan Kelly and Kimberly

Perrilla. Third row, Heidi Ekstrom, Chelsea Morin, Sarah Champagne, Collette

Naglieri, Caitlin Weber and Cassandre Tanner.

-Photo Courtesy Ann Marie Ekstrom

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

Head O' Meadow physical education teacher and longtime Jump Rope Team coach

Owen Gallagher is just like the Energizer bunny.

He keeps on going and going and going.

After 31 years in Newtown schools, Mr Gallagher says he still loves what he's

doing - working with elementary school-age kids who are, he said, "the

greatest."

It was Mr Gallagher who first formed a school jump rope team at Middle Gate

School 28 years ago and who, 10 years ago, initiated the Newtown elementary

schools' participation in the successful "Jump Rope For Heart" event.

The annual program is sponsored by the American Heart Association and the 1997

"Jump Rope For Heart" was held Wednesday, March 5, at Sandy Hook, Head O'

Meadow and Middle Gate schools.

"It's great for physical fitness and you can do it by yourself," Mr Gallagher

said of the popular after-school activity.

Boys and girls from grades three through five may practice two afternoons a

week during the winter months. Come spring, Mr Gallagher heads outside for

softball.

"Our teams perform for the elderly, in hospitals, for the handicapped, in

schools and in colleges," Mr Gallagher said.

"We can do 120 tricks, work in groups of four or do single rope work," he

added.

Not even the Energizer bunny shows that much creativity.