Healthy Start Kicks Off a New Year

Submitted by Active member Emma Davidson

The Healthy Start Committee kicked off the new school year at Caughman Road and South Kilbourne Elementary schools.

Committee members held two events (one at each school) that celebrate the school, make learning fun and encourage parents to find a way to get involved in the health of their kids. The event is free to all students and their families at their host school. This year, the Healthy Start Committee served nearly 500 kids and their families!

Each event involves some warm-up time while the kids arrive. This time is filled with jump ropes, hopscotch, hula hoops and silly races. This year we welcomed two very special guests to our warm-up: Cocky and Crossfit Kids! Cocky took part in the organized work out, including stretching, lunges and running in place. Crossfit Kids led the children through a series of easy moves that they can do at home to keep their bodies active.

After the warm-up, the kids were divided into their age groups and then moved between a series of health stations. These included Healthy Teeth (where they learned about the importance of brushing and flossing), Healthy Minds (where they learned about the parts of speech and reading), Healthy Bodies (where they learned about washing their hands and preventing germs) and Healthy Eating (where they learned about eating fruits and veggies). At each station, each child received a hygienic present and a school supply, including body wash, deodorant, floss, books, notebook paper and erasers.

Meanwhile, the kids’ parents were in the cafeteria, talking about the importance of healthy shopping and being active with their kids. The children joined their parents for a Moe’s dinner and received another surprise: new backpacks courtesy of the Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation and The Cooperative Ministries.

These were two great events, made possible by the Junior League Healthy Start Committee members: Caison Boozer (Co-Chair), Kelly Hall (Co-Chair), Aston Daniels, Emma Davidson, Rachel Flynn, Rebecca Goings, Meredith Gvozdas, Virginia Henderson, Frances Clark, Alle Kaneft, Andrea Lance, Tara Martin, Megan McConville, Catherine Rawl, Kolby Redd, Tori Tibshrany and Alana Williams.

About Healthy Start

Healthy Start kicks off the school year with excitement! The event takes place at a school, so that we celebrate the school, making learning fun and encourage parents to find a way to get involved. Healthy Start is free to all students and their families at their host school. The event addresses the new focus of healthy children in efforts to improve the mind, body and spirit by promoting literacy and reading, providing health and safety information and helping parents get involved in the schools and in their children's lives.