VIDEO: Shooting Hoops for Heart at Pleasantville MS

For more than 12 years, 's Dawn DiMassimo has been organizing a weeklong series of basketball events focusing on heart health.

"In fifth grade, we talk about the heart and why it's important," said the physical education teacher. "We do aerobic games and we bring in the fundraiser for the American Heart Association."

DiMassimo said students often know someone who has had heart health issues and was surprised this year when a few students even told her they had heart operations as babies.

In addition to skill-related drills during class, the week includes a 3 vs. 3 tournament for sixth graders—which was also recently expanded to the seventh grade due to popular demand. Refreshments are sold during the activity periods and after school tournament times to help benefit the American Heart Association.

Check the above video for more about Hoops for Heart at Pleasantville Middle School.