Hance Elementary School to Host Health Fair

Hance Elementary School is hosting its Fifth Annual Health Fair from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on April 20, 2007.

Some of the highlights of the day will include:

• Officer Scott Rick from the Northern Regional Police who will help the children learn about safety issues especially related to strangers and 911.
• Speaking of 911, we will have a new community member to join us this year. Our local Richland EMS will be coming to teach the children about First Aid. A special tour of the ambulance will also be available.
• Cherry Cerminara, General Manager of Sodexho Food Service in our school cafeteria will be back to help the children build a healthy plate.
• A visit from the American Respiratory Alliance will help the children to realize the negative effects of cigarette smoking. Additionally, real pig lungs will be on display for children to visually see the damage that prolonged smoking has on our own lungs.
• The children from GATE will present a great booth called “Fun in the Sun” with the guidance of Vicki Roth. Children will have a chance to learn about the importance of sunscreen to protect their skin from dangerous UV rays. The children will be able to make a simple bracelet from a strip of colored string, which can function as a UV detector.

The beads will change color when exposed to UV light to help remind the kids to protect their skin!

• The American Diabetes Association will represent another new booth. Mr. Brandon Lamay will talk with the kids about “What is Diabetes?” Ways to prevent Type II Diabetes will also be presented.
• Ms. Darija Neureuter will return from the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) to continue her lessons on healthy eating and activity for life.
• Mr. Joe Mayer, a Pharmacist from our North Towne Giant Eagle will talk about Poison Control and help children learn about medication and poison safety.
• Of course, the American Heart Association will be back with Ms. Kelly Wilding who will challenge the kids with another Jump Rope competition.
• Some of you might know Dr. Joseph Stofko, our local Orthodontist. He will come to talk about dental health. Many of our children will enjoy seeing their Doctor at the school.
• Our local Chiropractic, Dr. Pettinato will join us to talk about Back Health and hopefully help the children realize just “how much is too much” to tote around in their backpacks each day.
• The children will find a new booth sponsored by United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Kids to promote disability awareness. This booth will ask the question, "What do you have in common with a kid who has a disability?” The answer is “ A lot more than you might think!"  UCP Kids goal is to highlight the commonality among children with and without disabilities rather than the differences.

“This day will not be a success without the help and dedication of our parent volunteers,” said Certified School Nurse Terry Lea Wentz, CRNP (Certied Registered Nurse Practitioner). “In past years, tapping into our community resources as well as parents with a health background has really enhanced the success of our Hance Health Fair. The collaboration between the school and the community is such an important element that must be fostered to enhance school health.”