NHS Spring Health Fair Encouraged Students To Have A Safe Summer

By Eliza Hallabeck

Booths were set up in Newtown High School’s new cafetorium space on Wednesday, May 18, for the annual Spring Health Fair. The theme for this year’s health fair was “Have A Safe Summer.”

Two booths were set up by NHS health sciences classes. One booth described the dangers of texting while driving, while the other shared the topic of teen stress. Both student booths were created in class to distribute information to other students on the chosen topics.

Junior Michael Cascone, who was in charge of overseeing the No Texting While Driving campaign, said his class chose to research the topic after looking into a number of different options.

“We figured this was the most relevant for our age group and school,” said Michael.

Thumb bands were given out at the booth along with pamphlets and more information that discussed the importance of not texting while behind the wheel of a car. The thumb bands are meant to serve as a reminder to not text.

Across the cafetorium another student health science class was represented by Charlie Bronson, Scott Buchanan, and Mergim Bajraliu. According to Mergim, the class worked for about two months to prepare the teen stress booth presentation.

“It’s important, because it is an issue that every student faces,” said Mergim.

Face painting, bubble wrap, and student made “Silly Putty” were offered at the booth to help reduce student stress.

“We’re trying to convey how to reduce stress,” said Scott, “so people don’t have to deal with it as much.”

At another booth, Newtown Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold and Assistant Director RoseAnn Reggiano distributed information about classes, events, and programs that are offered in town during the summer break.

“We have a lot of programs,” Ms Mangold told one student who was looking over a list of different programs offered through Parks & Recreation, including recently launched The Victory Garden at Fairfield Hills.

Newtown’s Health District Director Donna Culbert also oversaw a booth that promoted the Health District’s “BLAST” message, which lists five ways to help stay safe from ticks: Bathe (or shower) soon after coming indoors, Look for ticks and remove with tweezers, Apply repellents for skin and/or clothing, Spray the perimeter of a yard for ticks, and Treat pets with a product recommended by a veterinarian.

The booth also offered pamphlets and further information on tick prevention along with first aid kits for students to keep in school bags.

Dermatologist Grace Federman also had her own table, where she spoke to students about melanoma awareness and skin protection. Danbury Hospital ER Attending Doctor Robert Buzuro also spoke to students at a table about trauma prevention.

In conjunction with the “Have a Safe Summer” theme, an interactive presentation, provided by Drive Square Inc of Alexandria, Va., was also set up in the school’s auto shop. Drive Square presenter Konstantin Sizov had students and other participants sit in the driver’s seat of a car, wear a head set, and, through a simulator program, drive either under the influence of alcohol or while texting. The program reacted differently depending on how many alcoholic drinks the person consumed (in this case entered into a computer) or how often the person was texting while driving.

“Don’t drink and drive,” Mr Sizov said to one student as he exited the vehicle. “Drive safe.”