The Sweet Home School Districts Community Learning Centers will host a special Health & Safety Fair on Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19, in the High School Gymnasium.
“The unique, two-day format allows us to more fully address the health and safety opportunities and concerns of the entire community,” said Community Learning Centers Project Director Melissa Kenneke.
Fridays displays and activities will target all the students in the school district, grades 1 – 12, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Their day is scheduled to include presentations and information booths by the Sweet Home Fire and Police Departments, the Linn County Sheriffs Office, Pacific Power & Light, Sweet Home High School classes, Linn-Benton Community College, the Community Pool, the Boys and Girls Club, and many others with a youth-oriented message.
On Saturday the fair will open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for the entire community. The expanded roster of participants will provide health, safety and fitness information for people of all ages. The Senior Center Board is coordinating one entire section of booths dealing with older adults. Other organizations, businesses, agencies, and service providers will address issues covering the whole range of life with videos, literature, displays, and one-to-one professional advice.
Childrens activities continue Saturday with a Bicycle Rodeo under the direction of Sgt. Richard Culley of the Sweet Home Police Department. As circumstances allow, the Fire Department and the Sheriffs Office will have emergency vehicles from their fleets available for inspection next to the school. Students from all grades can design posters for a “Health & Safety Poster Gallery” to be displayed along one entire wall for both days.
Throughout Saturday a “Main Stage” area in the gym will host speakers and presentations. There will be regular door prize drawings. The Health & Safety Fair is coordinated with the “Down By The Riverside” Ames Creek Cleanup so that volunteers can participate in both activities during the day. Admission to the Fair is free.
The Health & Safety Fair is funded as part of the 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS GRANT awarded to the Sweet Home School District. These grants have gone to rural and inner-city school districts, community-based organizations, and public agencies for work in after-school programs, drug-free environments, and community health and education.
Sweet Home-area organizations and businesses that provide legitimate health, safety, and fitness resources and services who may want to be considered for participation in the Health & Safety Fair should leave a message with Melissa Kenneke at the district office, 367-7123, or 409-5375, and the Fair Coordinator will contact them.