The Socorro ISD School Health Advisory Council, in partnership with the El Paso Children’s Hospital, hosted its first-ever Winter Wellnessland event Dec. 9 at the Technology Service Center.
One hundred elementary students from the Socorro High School feeder pattern participated in the event that included packing their own wellness gift box with hand sanitizer, gloves, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, jump ropes, and much more.
“This is our way to give back to the community. It’s very important because we are all about supporting El Paso children,” said Roxanne Weisendanger, chief nursing officer at El Paso Children’s Hospital. “Seeing them excited and grateful was very rewarding and we made wonderful moments together that we will all remember forever.”
Students also created an ornament using arts and crafts, learned to make a healthy snack and participate in a read-aloud, after which they were gifted a book to enjoy at home.
At the conclusion of the event, students enjoyed a special ballet performance from the Pebble Hills High School dance team and special door prizes were given away.
Lexi Tucker, SISD coordinator of sports programs, said she felt the event was such a success she hopes to be able to grow and expand it in the years to come to include schools from other district feeder patterns.
“This has been beyond what I could even imagine,” Tucker said. “I think just seeing their smiles and their gratefulness has made an impact not only on them, but on us as employees of the district.”
Tucker said it is more essential than ever to promote student wellness. The students who participated enjoyed the gifts and activities.
“I’ve really enjoyed today,” Myka Joaengen, a third-grade student from Escontrias STEAM Academy. “This is really cool that they think of every single kid and to know that they care.”
Joedy Gonzalez, a fifth-grade student at H.D. Hilley Elementary, said his favorite part of the event was painting the ornaments.
“It feels really good to know that they care about our health,” Gonzalez said. “You need to be healthy to be able to go to school and learn properly.”
Joel Lopez, a fourth-grade student at Campestre Elementary, liked the excitement of the day’s activities.
“I’ve really enjoyed today,” Lopez said. “I especially enjoyed learning how to make a healthy snack.”
Daphne Duenas, a second-grade student at Ernesto Serna School, couldn’t wait to go home to put up her new ornament on her Christmas tree.
“It’s very important to be healthy so you won’t get tired, you’ll pay attention and get smarter,” Duenas said. “I am very happy because today was fun and I am thankful for everything.”
The SHAC is a group appointed by the school district to serve at the district level and is coordinated through Texas Health and Human Services. Most of the members are parents.
The focus of the SHAC is the implementation of student health and wellness programs and strengthening the connection between health and learning. The mission is to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Texans through good stewardship of public resources, and a focus on core public health functions.
SHAC Winter Wellnessland event photos
Published February 7, 2023
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