Students at the Caroline G. Atkinson Intermediate School in Freeport were given a healthy dose of personal health and hygiene information at their annual school health fair, facilitated by a group of visiting senior nursing students from Molloy College.
As part of their community health course work at Molloy College, these nursing students created a series of presentation/activity stations and hosted the rotation of classes as they moved from one informative area to the next. "We're teaching better health by promoting better health," said Molloy College Associate Professor of Nursing Elaine Burger. The presence of the nursing students at the school health fair was part a long-standing relationship between Molloy College and Freeport Schools.
The presentations included displays promoting better personal wellness, including dental health, hygienic habits, stress level management, and the monitoring of daily eating routines. There were also presentations explaining the dangers of tattooing, drug and alcohol abuse, and bullying. Many of the displays featured a hands-on interactive component designed to better emphasize the facts being presented. Students were also given take-home handouts and flyers to reinforce the messages of better health and wellness.
"The Health Fair provided the sixth-grade Atkinson students with the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities pertaining to their health and well-being," stated Caroline G. Atkinson School Principal Linda Carter. "This event was truly a worthwhile and informative endeavor beneficial to our students and staff."
