DOUBLE DUTCH DOUBLES FUN FOR STUDENTS

Students at May Greene Elementary School are jumping double as part of a new after-school program.

Double dutch involves jumping two twirling ropes and often two or more jumpers hopping through those ropes at the same time. No easy task.

But May Greene sixth-grader Kijuana Harris, who has been jumping double dutch since she was in second grade, insists it's not too hard. "If you can jump with one rope, you can jump with two."

Harris said double dutch jumping is fun, but she also enjoys having something to do after school.

"There is no arguing. Everyone gets two turns. We don't hurt people's feelings. It's excellent," she said.

Diana Rhodes, speech pathologist at May Greene, hatched the idea after watching a television program about double dutch competitions in New York and thought the activity would fit in at May Greene.

"It's low cost; it utilizes motor skills; and it's something many of them are already exposed to," Rhodes said.

She said principal Sam Jarrell gave the go-ahead so she solicited donations for competition and practice ropes from AmeriFirst Bank. The girls started jumping in mid-October. The Tuesday afternoon practice sessions average 20 jumpers in grades four, five and six.

Jeanne McCord, a second-grade teacher at the school, and Pat Newbern of the juvenile department also sponsor the club.

"Some of the girls have jumped before. Some haven't. We have a good mix of experience levels," Rhodes said.

"If we get to the point where everyone is better than when they started, we've accomplished our goal," Rhodes said.

But she admitted she has big dreams for the program. "I would like to branch out to other schools and if it would catch on, maybe we could hold an invitational where everyone can show off. Later on, maybe we could even include inter-school competition."

But, for now, she's happy if the girls are happy jumping.

"It's really good for their self-esteem. It's a way to show their peers they have abilities."

Rhodes added that some students at May Greene don't have an opportunity to join other organizations.

"I started when I was 9," said Roshonda Smith, a fifth-grader at May Greene. "My sister and cousin showed me how. Really you just jump up and down. Then you learn to turn around and do pop-ups and mumbles (side-to-side steps)."

While those jumping maneuvers may sound complicated, Smith said jumping into and out of the spinning ropes is the toughest part of double dutch.

Kasondra Owens, fifth-grader, said her first-grade teacher taught her to jump double dutch. "I like jumping. It's fun and I don't have to go straight home after school."

The girls are working on a performance routine. Owens said, "We are trying to learn the moves. It was hard when we started, but I enjoy it."

The double dutch classes end Dec. 1. After the Christmas break, a ballet class begins. Rhodes plans to start double dutch jumping again in the fall.