Health Fair Teaches Students Good Choices

By ART LIMANN Staff Writer

WASHINGTON LANDS — From fitness to bullying to yoga, students at Washington Lands Elementary School took part in a recent health fair to help them learn to lead safe and healthy lives.

Minday Spaar, fair coordinator and the school’s heath and physical education teacher, said the fair has been an annual event at the school for about 20 years. She noted the programs are aimed at providing students in each age group with information they can use now and as adults.

“We want students to know health isn’t just what you eat. We use all the resources we can,” Spaar said. “It’s good for the children to hear from other people.”

Most of the agencies that participated this year have done so before.

“Our speakers tell the students what they do and how they do it. In some cases, a student might hear something which might even (help them) decide to pursue a career in a subject they have heard about,” she continued.

In addition to fitness, bullying and yoga, students had classes in hygiene, tobacco education, gun safety, seat belt safety and summer safety. Other topics included self-esteem, pet care and safety, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, nutrition, bicycle safety, personal exercise, healthy hearts and the importance of hand washing.

Speakers represented Rural Health Education Partnerships Cameron Clinic, Marshall County Health Department, Wood Fitness Center, Miracle Valley Library, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, YWCA Family Outreach, Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley, Kids Inclined to do Nice Deeds program, West Liberty State College, Regional Education Service Agency 6, Fox Run Hospital, Reynolds Memorial Hospital, West Virginia State Police, Marshall County Schools and Yoga-Creating Balance.

According to Spaar, students also are given a fresh fruit break and a healthy snack so they know there are snacks they can eat that are good for them.