“Heart Zones . . . is a game changer – especially for those students who tend to not LOVE to move!”
~ Dena Scudieri, PE Teacher at Joyce Kilmer School
What was your first experience with Physical Education technology?
When purchasing a set of fitness equipment, Stephanie Lauren came to do a training for the K-12 staff then a second time to demonstrate for the students. During the training session, Stephanie introduced us to Heart Zones and we thought it would be perfect for our school! Thanks to a grant from our school’s foundation, we purchased the sensors just before the 2020 pandemic lockdown.
What do you find most fun for you and for your students using Heart Zones Move Solution?
Starting in the Fall of 2022, every student in my school had tried it out at some point by the end of the year and they all truly loved them, saying that…
“It was a true motivator for them to move and to try to get as many FIT points as possible.”
This year I can’t wait to do some class and grade level competitions with FIT points as well. I also am looking forward to the reports and reporting out to students where we are at throughout the year! I hope to input more data to be able to communicate the reports to students next fall.
“I love the MOTIVATION TO KEEP MOVING!”
~ Dena Scudieri
What have other faculty or administrators said about Heart Zones?
Dena shares how the admin is “in awe of the excitement and motivation that it brings her students.” During one observation, her students were playing volleyball. Usually with this game, there is certainly some “down time” to it. But Dena says that, “while wearing the sensors, the students were constantly moving (doing jumping jacks, running in place, jumping around, etc) even when the ball was nowhere near them”!
Funding is important. Share how you were able to secure the funding.
YES! Our Mahwah Schools Foundation is a parent run foundation who raise money to give back to projects that will better our students. This foundation funded the project with a grant and my district purchased an iPad for me to use as well.
Testimonials
“By incorporating the heart monitors into her physical education classes, Dena has not only empowered her students to pursue a safe and healthy active lifestyle but to stay motivated and engaged during class…”
Michele Kaplan, parent and co-president of the Mahwah Schools Foundation
“…We were honored to be able to support Dena and her passion for this program – as we know it will be one that she successfully implements with her students year after year.”
“It is truly encouraging to see Ms. Scudieri continue to inspire our students to live a healthy lifestyle. With the integration of Heart Zones, I have witnessed students’ motivation for movement and exercise increase through the use of the technology and monitoring system in real-time.”
~ Dr. Michael DeTuro, Superintendent of Mahwah Public Schools
“Heart Zones heart rate sensors are beneficial to our school because they give students a way to encourage themselves about running and they show students their limit. The sensors also show how students can expand so they can be a more active runner or to show people how to make realistic goals based on their heart rate.”
~ 5th Grade Student at Joyce Kilmer
Dena Scudieri has been a Health & PE teacher in the same district and the same school for 20 ½ years. She is a second-degree PE teacher, her first bachelors degree being in business. She is extremely passionate about health and wellness for ALL. It is her goal for all students to understand the importance of fitness and wellness along with all of the benefits – physical, mental and social!!!
In response to the question of if you can reach out, her answer is YES! Any way is fine – email: dscudieri@mahwah.k12.nj.us. Cell phone: 973-214-7313 or her school address is Joyce Kilmer School, 80 Ridge Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430
