The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida - Nutrition Education
Celebrating 10 Years Of Wellness
Health Fairs
What a fun year this was!! More than ever, schools are holding health fairs for their students and their community!
During the 2015 – 2016 school year, the School Food Service (SFS) Department held health fairs at two different locations: Pahokee High School in the Glades area on November 10, 2015 and Jupiter Elementary School on February 24, 2016.
SFS Department takes a lot of pride in planning and organizing the health fairs under the direction of Chantal Gellermann, SFS Nutrition Educator. Ms. Gellermann works with local organizations and internal District departments to make these events fun, educational, and interesting for the students and school faculty. To promote the health fair and the partnering organizations through the community, a press was released via the District’s Department of Communications and Engagement.
At both health fairs, Pete Wood, SFS Training Specialist, built a farmers’ market that could rival the most elaborate! Mr. Wood set up baskets and crates filled with the most beautiful rainbow of colorful fresh fruits and vegetables. All produce was graciously donated by Erneston & Sons, Inc., one of the district’s awarded produce vendors.
The health fair held at Jupiter Elementary aligned with the messages from the National Nutrition Month campaign designed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year’s theme “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right” focused attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
“Fruits & Veggies… More Matters” was the focal point at Pahokee High School’s health fair and by administrative request, we infused various opportunities for physical active to take place during the event.
It is always a pleasure to see the reactions from the students and how the event creates a global environment. Every school creates their own spin on the event and this year was no exception.
- Students at Pahokee High School thoroughly enjoyed the nutrition & physical fitness activity station which engaged students with various activities such as jump rope, lunges, squats, pushups, jumping jacks, nutrition questions, trivia and much more.
- A Pahokee High science teacher along with a group of students were invited by a local green bean farmer to visit a nearby plantation.
- Jupiter Elementary teacher Ms. S reported “My class loved the health fair. They were so cute, their little mouths were wide open in awe as they walked in to see all the decorations and the beautiful display of vegetables. Several students told me: "It was the best day ever""
The SFS Department is very appreciative to everyone’s effort in making these health fairs successful and memorable for the students and staff. We continue to strengthen community partnerships with each event.
Thank you to the follow organizations –
Caridad Center
Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County
R.C. Hatton Farms, Inc.
UF/IFAS PBC Extension ~ Family & Consumer Sciences
Jupiter Medical Center ~ Diabetes Education Center
Town of Jupiter Recreation Division
Feeding South Florida
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Healthier Jupiter
Epilepsy Foundation
Safe Kids Palm Beach County
4H Youth Development Program
Lakeside Medical Center
Vargas Orthodontics
Key Fact:
Through the health fairs, we were able to reach out to approximately 1700 students and 250 staff members, incorporating Nutrition Education, health and wellness resources.
The SFS Department has enjoyed hosting these health fair events throughout the district for more than 10 years. Listed below are the following schools that have participated in our Department health fairs:
Allamanda Elementary
Conniston Community Middle
Emerald Cove Middle
Forest Hill Community High
Golden Grove Elementary
Gove Elementary
Hammock Pointe Elementary
Highland Elementary
Howell L. Watkins Middle
Indian Pines Elementary
Lake Shore Middle
Manatee Elementary
Odyssey Middle
Okeeheelee Community Middle
Orchard View Elementary
Palm Beach Gardens Community High
Palm Beach Gardens Elementary
Palm Springs Middle School
Pine Grove Elementary
Poinciana Elementary
Rolling Green Elementary
Santaluces Community High
South Grade Elementary
South Olive Elementary
Suncoast High
Tradewinds Middle
Watson B. Duncan Middle
