Teachers promote health, wellness

A group of USD 234 teachers were able to promote health and wellness among students and families through a community event last week.

On April 22, physical education teachers in the district hosted a Family Fit and Fun Night event for students and families that focused on encouraging families to make healthy choices. About 500 people attended the free event, which took place at Frary Field north of Fort Scott High School and was made possible by a grant from Kansas Team Nutrition of the Kansas Department of Education.

Event organizer Chris Sather, a pysical education teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School, said the successful event provided students and families with facts and information about physical activity and wellness, and is also designed to teach them to live healthier lives.

"The Fort Scott community pulled together to support the health of its students and their parents," Sather said. "Many teachers, parents and students volunteered to help set up and work at the stations, which was very appreciated."

Attendees were able to walk around the track at the high school, obtain information at different stations from local groups regarding health, and eat free healthy snacks. Participants received information on several topics, including tobacco use, sugar content in soda, proper blood pressure readings, and fighting cancer. Information was also provided on area exercise facilities. Organizers gave away more than 90 door prizes at the event.

Representatives of several local groups were present to provide information about health and nutrition to attendees, including Mercy Health for Life, Bourbon County Relay for Life, Curves, and a student nursing organization at Fort Scott Community College, among others. Members of the FSCC football team were also on hand to teach youth in attendance about physical activity and participate with them in various workouts.

Sather said the event, as well as several other health and wellness programs and initiatives taking place locally and across the United States, are needed today in order to educate people about the need to live healthier lifestyles.

"The obesity rate has tripled since the (19)80s," she said. "We see it in Kansas ... fast food, the sedentary lifestyle. We want to get families, kids and their moms and dads to change their lives."

The ultimate goal of events such as Family Fit and Fun Night is to get people throughout the community working toward making healthier food choices and getting more exercise, Sather said.

"This is the first generation of kids that may not outlive their parents," she said.

Sather said she continuously tries to educate her students about the importance of good health, especially the students who tell her they don't understand the importance of her class.

"If you don't have your health, you don't have a whole lot," she said.