Health Fair held to help community

The Louisville Family Center wants parents, guardians, students and other members of the community to be aware of the importance of exercising wellness for good health.

One measure taken to achieve this goal is the Center's Annual Health Fair which was Thursday, March 12 with 110 participants. The Health and Wellness Fair is an excellent mechanism for teaching health, disease prevention and safety. Also, many learned about the importance of nutritious eating, exercise and annual physical examinations.

Assistant Superintendent Norma Jackson, along with Family center employees Barbra Eichelberger and Marie Livingston exclaimed a secondary goal of the Health Fair was to instill in the parents and guardians an understanding of the direct relationship between nutritious food choices and success in academic education.

"Applying the knowledge with practice will ensure great health and mental stability that will aid in life long success as well," stated Eichelberger.

Eichelberger thanked the community for coming together to make the Health and Wellness Fair possible and successful.

Area organizations set up informational booths at the event. Booths included cholesterol screenings, blood sugar checks, and blood pressure checks. Jennifer Palmer, Registered Nurse, from Fair Elementary School was one of the many volunteers. Stacy McKay, Para Optometric Assistant, from Optometrist Danny Clifton's office provided vision screenings for attendees.

Other information booths included Brandi Wyatt, Adult Nutrition Educator from the Winston County Extension office. JROTC students Tamara Carter, Chassity Goss, Latia Rush, Diamond Goss, and Timmy Belliew assisted with the nutrition booth. Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) members Evan Dailey, Bethany Ball, Barbara McMillin, and Macy Young presented information along with a power point presentation on, "The Dangers of Drinking While Driving."

"Teenage drinking is a major cause of death among teenagers and we want to get the message out about the consequences," said Dailey.

Louisville DARE officer Tonya McWhirter, was also on hand to illustrate the dangers of drinking and drugs with a presentation, "Making the Right Choice, Don't Use Drugs."

The staff of the Family Center appreciated the donations of the cholesterol strips from Charley McCool.

"Mr. McCool has donated cholesterol strips for several years for our Annual Health Fair and we could not provide that with him," stated Eichelberger.

The staff of the Family Center extended additional thanks to: Parents, Guardians, and student caregivers, Superintendent Harry Kemp, assistant supt. Norma Jackson, assistant supt. Ken McMullan, Dr. Nola Bryant, other staff of the Central Office, all the school principals, teachers, Assistants, JROTC instructors, students, support staff, the Vision Center, Coco Cola Bottling Company of Starkville, WLSM Radio Station, Winston County Journal, Winston County Extension Office, Mayor of Louisville, Louisville Aldermen, City of Louisville Police Deptartment, and Louisville Sheriff Department.

The staff of the Family center appreciates each participant for being involved and for the overwhelming support given to the Health and Wellness Fair as well as the Family Center.

Title 1 Federal Programs provide funds for educational resources, services, and programs offered through the Family Center. The Center serves to maximize the positive effects of families and schools working together to improve student achievement and family involvement.

"Our focus is on lifelong achievement and success for the child and the parent- individually and as a family. All the services and programs offered through the Family Center are designed to assist parents/guardians and teachers in helping the students," stated Eichleberger.

The Family Center is located at 202 Ivy Avenue in Louisville. The Center is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 am- 4 pm. For more information please call: (662) 773-4018 or check the web at:http://Louisville.k12ms.us/family.