Lightning Lions Jump Rope Team

The Lightning Lions is a performance jump rope team offering a safe, fun, and positive team opportunity for students interested in the sport of jump rope. The team is open to LRES students in grades 6, 5, and 4 and meets regularly before school to exercise, practice jump rope skills, and prepare for performances. This PTA-sponsored club has been part of our school community since 1975. 

Who can join?  Lightning Lions is for students in 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade. The team is typically comprised of 40 students in order to maintain safe proximity within the LRES gym.  If there are more than 40 students that wish to participate, placement is in accordance with the Lightning Lions operating plan following three waves until the program reaches max capacity: *

  • Wave 1: Returning jumpers (Grades 5-6) who demonstrated adherence to their student contract and students of Caregivers who commit to volunteer at least 2 mornings per week.
  • Wave 2: Students in Grade 6, and then Grade 5, who registered in the past year, but did not get placed due to capacity constraints.
  • Wave 3: New jumpers by descending Grade order (6, 5, 4).

*Total open slots vary from year to year. 

*If registrations across Wave 2 or 3 exceed the number of remaining spots available, placement will be by random drawing among each grade level in the wave (beginning with 6th) until filled.

What does the team do?  Jumpers build self-esteem, discipline, and cardiovascular health while improving their jumping skills individually and as a team. They practice learning team cooperation and sportsmanship. Throughout the school year, Lightning Lions perform in front of local audiences to demonstrate their jump rope competency and delight friends, families and the community.

When and where are practices?  The team practices three mornings per week from 7:50-8:45 a.m. in the LRES Gym, from October to May.

What is the commitment? 

  • Consistent attendance at practices, held 3 mornings per week, from 7:50–8:45 am, October through May.
  • Adherence to the Student/Jumper's Team Contract.
  • Dedication to team performances, generally 4-6 evening and/or weekend events between January-April.

What is the program fee? Approximately, $150 to cover the program fee and student-athlete insurance. The LRES PTA will offer sponsorships for families in need. 

How do I sign up my interested jumper? Information coming soon on how to register for open spots on the team.

Email questions to lrlightninglions@gmail.com.

To view the Lightning Lions flipgrid, which contains videos of LL rules, how to size your rope, warm-ups, and more, please click the button below. Students must be logged into their FCPS accounts to view the videos and record responses.

Lightning Lions is building a coaching pipeline!  (Deadline for volunteer interest is Monday, September 1, 2025.)

The Lightning Lions team is a PTA sponsored activity and is coached by parent volunteers who help two mornings per week. These volunteers receive priority registration for their student(s). If you are interested in this role, please email lrlightninglions@gmail.com by Monday, September 1, 2025. Following that date, you will be contacted for a conversation about a potential role. 

Please Note: In some years, there may be a low number of spots for new jumpers and a high number of students interested. If your student is extremely interested in participating, you may wish to consider seeking a role as a 2-day/week volunteer. 

Jump Club: In 2024-2025, a once-per-week Jump Club for students not on the team offered a jump rope experience to any interested 4th-6th grade student. Sessions held from 8:00-8:45 a.m. for six or eight weeks allowed students to focus on the basics of jump rope, learning and improving their skills while jumping with friends. The running of Jump Club again is dependent on securing additional, new volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year. No previous jump rope knowledge is necessary. If you are potentially interested in this role,  please email us at lrlightninglions@gmail.com by Monday, September 1, 2025.

 

Past Lightning Lions performances

LL performance at Thomas Jefferson High School's boy's basketball game halftime, 2020

 

Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.

Thunder Cubs jump rope club is for 3rd graders who want to learn jump rope skills and participate in a fun, weekly exercise program. Thunder Cubs will run from March 13th - May 1st on Friday mornings from 8:00-9:00am in the LRES gym. Practices are led by current Lightning Lion team student-coaches and parents!

The cost to participate is $30. This covers a jump rope, team supplies, and t-shirt. In addition, all jumpers are required to purchase supplemental insurance at a cost of $20 before they can participate. NO PAYMENT WILL BE TAKEN UPON REGISTERING. PAYMENT WILL BE TAKEN ON THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE. 
 

Note, Thunder Cubs has a capacity of 30 jumpers. If necessary, there will be a random drawing to determine participants.

 

Important Dates:
Feb 25th: flyers go home, sign up open!
March 4th: registration closes at midnight
March 6th: Further information and jumper contracts sent out
March 13th: First day of practice (and jump rope making!!)

No practice on Friday March 20th or April 3rd due to school holidays.

If your 3rd grader is interested, fill out and complete registration by March 4th. Further information and details will be sent to participants with their registration materials the week of March 6th.
Questions? Please email Addie at: Irlightninglions@gmail.com.

Come and be part of the LRES jump rope tradition!


 

Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.