SAFETY IS THEME FOR FUN & LEARNING DAY

(05/05/2009)

By Jean Simers

The eighth 2008-2009 Saturday Fun and Learning Day sponsored by Heads Up and GEAR UP was held Saturday, April 11th at Calhoun Middle-High School with breakfast served to all participants.

The day had a safety theme with Don Williams speaking to the entire group about the importance of bicycle safety. Each child received a free bicycle helmet.

In the theme of safety, each family compiled their own Emergency Preparedness Kit. Each kit was assembled in a 3-lb coffee can containing 2 packages of emergency drinking water, 3 packages tissues, antibiotic ointment, Charmin on the go, a 12-hour safety lightstick, Purell hand sanitizer, rubber gloves, band-aids, Sani-Hands wipes, and a Space Emergency Blanket. Also included were forms to record medications taken by family members and a form to list emergency phone numbers and contacts.

Supplies for the Emergency Preparedness Kits were purchased with funding through former Delegate Bill Stemple, which he supplied before leaving office.

There were seven informational tables set up for parents and students, including goodies provided by the Tobacco Coalition.

A table sponsored by WalMart allowed students to sign-up to win an Easter basket or bicycle donated by the store. Easter basket winners were Jacob Butler and Kaylin Parsons and the two big winners of the bicycles were Mackenzie Holbert and Christian Hash.

Parent winners for the day were, Kathy Barr, Anne Lacy, Debbie Murphy, and Stephanie Metheney.

The next Saturday Fun and Learning Day will be May 9th with a speaker from Families Forward talking to parents about positive communication.

Children will have the opportunity to make pancakes for their mother. While the parents are in their training the children will be making a special Mother's Day gift.

If you have questions - contact Jean Simers, Heads Up Coordinator at 354-7595.