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Community Corner

Making Changes: One Week, One Student at a Time

It's exciting to see the results of dedicated people working together for one focus: HEALTHY KIDS!

This week Milford schools are hosting “Healthy Kids Week” thanks to the organization of many health committees and dedicated school faculty.

In a document sent from Judy Dagnese, Director of School Nursing, she writes: “During The week of April 8-12, the Milford Public Schools will be celebrating Healthy Kids Week. During this annual event we hope to offer students and staff fun, engaging and creative activities that will promote yearlong wellness and healthier living for our children and their families. The Milford Public Schools embraces health and wellness as the foundation upon which all learning is built.”  Dagnese also reported that all classroom teachers and specialists throughout the district will incorporate healthy living/ wellness concepts into their instruction during this week.

Thanks to support from Carla Tuttle, the Milford Schools Food Service Director; Healthy Kids’ week includes daily “Match Your Meal” colors at lunch at the preschool and elementary level. The students wear a specific color and bring in a healthy snack and the cafeterias serve healthy food choices that match the color. On Monday, Tuttle opened a breakfast cart in the Milford High School front lobby.  This cart was purchased with funding from the NFL Fuel Up to Play 60 Grant. It offered grab & go breakfast items promoting the importance of breakfast. As a mom of a  teenager, I know firsthand how difficult it is to get teens to eat breakfast.

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At the Hannaford Supermarket donated fruits that match “the color of the day”. MHS teens supported the Healthy Kids activity by giving out the fruit. Shining Star also has yoga planned for today and tomorrow during Physical Education classes. This event is coordinated by PE teacher Roselle Viegas.

Lisa Duarte, Elementary Art CTL has her students from Brookside and Memorial make healthy posters that will be displayed at Hannaford during April.

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Hockomock YMCA & Healthy Futures presented “Nutrition Detectives” to all third-grade students.  Lauren Marciszyn, a licensed dietitian-nutritionist, is teaching third graders how to interpret food nutrition labels as a means of making better food choices.

I had the pleasure of guest speaking in health classes about “Rethink Your Drink” to the sixth and seventh grade classes on Monday at Stacy and again today at Middle School East. With 50 percent of the 150 pounds of sugar a year most Americans ingest coming from sugary drinks such as soda, sports and energy drinks and juice, this campaign encourages students to cut down and eliminate sugary drinks from their diet.

Stacy PE teacher Stephanie Kirkos will be offering a free Folkdance/ Hip Hop Club to anyone who wants to join the fun at Stacy gym today from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.

A “Walk in Progress” will take place in all the schools today. The goal during this “walkathon” is to have all of the school physical education classes and any other interested students and staff walking at every school throughout the day.

Milford High School initiated its Wellness Unit on Monday including boot camp, aquatic fitness and aerobics.

Milford Community Use Program offered free swim this week on Tuesday and again today from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the high school pool.

Healthy Futures is driven by the leading principles of our Leadership Council, our local community-driven task forces develop community action plans focused on schools, workplace and the community-at-large. Healthy Futures incorporates prevention and intervention based strategies to ensure we are supporting all youth and families in our communities.

Healthy Futures Initiative is committed to promoting physical activity and healthy eating through programs, projects and policies. We strive to "Make the healthy choice, the easy choice." Check out the Facebook page with updates, healthy living ideas and links for resources.

Thanks to Judy Dagnese for organizing this town wide initiative for Healthy Kids Week and to the Healthy Futures Group for their continuous time and support of these programs for a healthier community.

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