Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 20, 2017 5A School LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer Jim Dent gives a few Rope Busters some tips on Monday. Dent Continued from Page 1A Even after “retiring” in 2000, he has served as a sub- stitute teacher and brought some of his clock collection to share with students. “He has really varied in- terests,” Locke said. “He’ll do these little classes. He’s into gardening and brings in plants to share with teach- ers. He’s supportive of kids who are Rope Busters, going to their events when he can. He’s done a lot for this dis- trict.” So much so that the gym- nasium at Lyle Elementary School will be named in his honor. Perhaps the thing he’s most known for now, the Rope Busters, wasn’t some- thing he thought he’d be doing to this day. The Rope Busters began in 1981, after Jim attended a physical education confer- ence. “A lady there had a team, and I got to talking to her,” he said. “She said let me come to your school and perform. I thought, ‘Hey, I could do this.’” It wasn’t long before the American Heart Association contacted him to get in- v o l v e d , a n d t h e Ro p e Busters team was off and running. It’s not uncommon for the team to attract around 100 kids each year. The kids find a joy in the simplicity, yet challenge that jump rope provides, Jim said. He’s also out to promote things that he knows parents want to be instilled. “Behavior, responsibility, I try to promote those things,” Jim said. “I expect them to be responsible. I expect them to work. I also think it basically comes down to a three-lettered word — fun. If they are having fun, then they are going to put in the work.” Tiffany Crishman has seen a noticeable difference in her daughter, Audrey. Seeing the thrill of per- forming and mastering a new trick never gets old, Dent said. “They will tell me that they can’t do something,” Dent said. “Then I say show me what you can do. I give them a few pointers and all of a sudden, they try some- thing, and they say, ‘Hey, I think I did it.’ I say I think you did too. Now, do it again.” Many jumpers stay in the program for multiple years, Dent said. Gumpinger was a regular member until her sophomore year and still vis- its the team once in a while — a testament to what she took away from her time with the team. “You gain confidence in yourself,” she said. “He makes you work with differ- ent people, so you get to know new people and learn to work with all kinds of people. The older kids be- iety.” Johnstone said coun- selors from Polk County Mental Health are on site to support anyone who has anxiety, concerns or fears. Some toy guns are creat- ed to look identical to real ones. That was not the case here, Mott said, as this gun was made with clear plastic and a clearly identifiable orange tip. Regardless, district policy prohibits weapons in schools, including replicas of weapons, unless granted prior building principal ap- proval for certain circum- stances or school-related activities. Mott said this toy gun could not be considered a replica. This case remains under investigation. “I appreciate Dallas Po- lice Department because we have a great partner- ship,” Johnstone said. Mott said the Dallas PD and Dallas School District have conducted training and safety drills together for at least a decade. “We do have a long histo- ry with our schools, and a long partnership with our schools,” he said. Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season! — The Polk County Itemizer-Observer A Treasury of Christmas Wishes May your holiday be full of glimmer and brimming with precious memories. A sincere “Thanks” to everyone. Across the street from the courthouse 25 Years Serving Our Community You want the best for your child — so do we! 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If it weren’t for the parents I don’t think the program would grow.” To those who he affect- ed’s, the real difference maker is clear. “I love the environment he creates,” Gumpinger said. “You can tell he really cares about each kid.” Continued from Page 1A Jo h n s t o n e s a i d s h e would hope that parents would call the school or district office and keep them in the loop about those concerns. 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