Published: November 28, 2008 10:19 pm            

Summit hosts Health Fair

EDMOND — More than 300 eighth-grade students gathered at Summit Middle School Tuesday for their first Health Fair.

Sponsored by the elective teachers, with physical education teacher Karen Benway leading the way, students traveled from station to station around the perimeter of the gymnasium.

At each station experts in their field spoke with the students about ways to live healthier lives, from exercise to ear care, as well as abstinence from alcohol and drugs. Dr. Roy Jackson with the Audiology Clinic of Edmond told the students that when played too loudly, headphones are not a good thing.

“Many of you will end up with hearing loss because of what you are doing now,” Jackson said. “When tested, 50 percent of college-age students have the hearing of someone in their mid to late 40s.”

Jackson warned the students, “Whether it is an iPod, CD or car radio, you can’t hear the music if it is so loud you feel it.”

Katie Adams said one thing she learned was not to clean head phones with alcohol because it ruins them.

“You’re supposed to use an antibacterial solution,” Katie said. “I also thought the Explorer Program with the police department was interesting, although I am not interested in being a police officer in training.”

Dandre Bolles said he thought the dentist was the most interesting speaker.

“I liked the photos they showed us about what tobacco can do to your body, like cause cancer and tumors,” Dandre said.

Students also learned second-hand smoke can be equally as dangerous to them.

When one of the district’s nurses, Alice Bones took Davion Woodfork’s blood pressure he was concerned he might not have any.

“Not only do you have blood pressure, yours is very good,” Bones reassured him.

North High School student Hailey Holloway shared a story and video of how important it is to drive safely.

“Karen (Benway) was really excited about the program, and she presented it to the other elective teachers in such a way that it made a Health Fair sound like fun,” said Susan Contreras, the Gifted and Talented teacher.

Contreras said the Health Fair gave the teachers the opportunity to give information to the students they might not have otherwise.

“Children do not realize the long-term effects of the choices they make today,” Contreras said.

Although the fall fair was health-based, all of the teachers helped and participated.

Elective teachers instruct three physical education classes, a child nutrition class, band, orchestra, drama, chorus, art and Technology Literature.

“All the credit goes to the elective teachers and Ms. Benway,” said principal Desarae Witmer.

“Karen has had the idea and the teachers helped implement the plan,” Witmer said.

“I have wanted the teachers to do an integrated unit,” she said. “I am really proud of them and the work they have done to make this succeed. All of the elective teachers have worked together.”

Witmer said this was such a success that in the spring students will participate in a Fine Arts Fair.

pmiller@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 171

        

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