This evening, officials with the Pearl River Central School District would like to invite students, their families and members of the community to the district’s fourth annual Family Health Fair.
Food Service Director Sheila Amacker is also the co-coordinator of the district’s wellness program. Curriculum Coordinator Kimberly Alford also serves as co-wellness coordinator.
“This program is derived from the State Department of Education,” Amacker said. “Our goal is to enhance our students total wellness.”
A number of people categorize wellness into two categories, physical and nutrition, Amacker said. However, that is not the case, she said.
“Now we look at a student’s spiritual and emotional well-being, along with community involvement,” Amacker said.
The four main state-level components are social, nutrition, physical education taught in the classroom and practicing physical activities,” Amacker said.
Each school in the district has a wellness committee. Their duty is to enhance the overall wellness of the students in their schools, Amacker said.
“Our health fair is open to the families of Pearl River Central School District, however we encourage members of our community to participate,” Amacker said. “They are taxpayers and therefore are a part of our family.”
There will be 24 participants at this evening’s fair including a pediatric nurse practitioner and representatives from the Department of Human Services, Amacker said. Complimentary vision and hearing screenings will be performed and health and science students will administer a blood pressure analysis.
A guest chef will demonstrate how to prepare smoked baked chicken and samples will be available for tasting, Amacker said.
“The district just purchased a smoker so we will be showcasing our new piece of equipment,” Amacker said. “We need to cook as nutritious and healthy as we can. The smoker allows us to enhance the flavors without losing nutritional value. We also serve whole grain foods to our students and we will be serving zucchini bread tonight.”
There will also be a school bus safety tour, fire safety demonstrations by first responders and physical outdoor activities for children, Amacker said.
“An unwell student will not be able to learn as well as a well student,” Amacker said. “I’m not just here to feed them, I’m here to help them with their life’s lessons. If the students are not emotionally and physically well, they will be unable to learn. We do everything to target these areas to make our children as well as they can be.”
The health fair will be held at the Pearl River Central High School cafeteria, which is located at 7407 Hwy. 11, Carriere from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.