ROTON HOLDS 1ST HEALTH FAIR

NORWALK -- Roton Middle School held its inaugural Health and Wellness
Day on Friday, an event designed to provide comprehensive health
education and give students the most enhanced health and wellness
information. Also included in the event were ree -- or reduced cost
health services for uninsured students, including 24 free physical
exams.

Students were given "passports" requiring them to ask a question from
each exhibitor, which earned them a stamp.

Completed passports were to be part of a raffle to win a grand prize.
"This event was a collaborative effort of our school -- the teachers,
the administrators, the nurses, and the students helped put it
together," said Ed Kravitz, health teacher at Roton. The 40 exhibitors
came from a variety of sources and presented many angles on children's
health.

Aston Hugh was providing students information on the health benefits
of Tai Chi. "Tai Chi is first a form of relaxation, but its discipline
can help students with their studies, and can make them better
people," said Hugh. Kelsey Maloney, an eighth-grader, was interested
in the dermatology booth. "We learned about skin care and sun effects,
and we learned what your face looks like under your skin," Maloney
said. Another eighth-grader, Matt Jerrild, learned more about
diabetes. "I always thought it was when your blood sugar is too high,
but it actually means it's too low," said Gerrild. Nurse Donzella
Thompson was clarifying students' confusion about sickle cell disease.
"They wanted to know if it was contagious, and I explained it wasn't
- -- it can only be inherited," said Thompson. Other exhibitors provided
information on holistic health, nutrition, respiratory therapy, teen
smoking, bicycle/helmet safety, and mental health issues.

As a representative from Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services, Susan
Belanger enlightened students about the symptoms of depression and who
to call if they suspect friends are depressed. She also emphasized the
addictive nature of marijuana. "More kids go into rehab due to
marijuana addiction than all other drugs combined," said Belanger.
Eighth-grader Devon Satnik learned about her heart rate. "We also
learned about Tai Chi, and the benefits of drinking a lot of water,"
said Satnik. Norwalk police were also on hand as part of the day. "The
kids got a tour of the mobile precinct," said Kravitz. Mike Szumigala
and Lynn Baumblatt, paramedics from Norwalk Hospital, talked about
what they do and displayed equipment from their ambulances. The
children learned what the equipment was used for. "We are visiting
several schools during the month of May to tell them about good safety
procedures and injury prevention," said Baumblatt. Other free or
reduced-fee services provided in conjunction with the fair included
diabetes screenings, healthy eating guidelines, and blood pressure
screenings.