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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.The mascots at the Poland Union Family Health Night on Jan. 25 stood with first-grade teachers Karen Vasko, Tina Bonarigo and Sue Flasco.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.First-grade students and their families follow the instructions of Youngstown State University baseball players and personal trainer Jerry DeJane on how to do certain exercises during the Poland Union Family Health Night on Jan. 25.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.First-grade students at Poland Union worked on making snowman crafts during the Family Health Night on Jan. 25. Picture are, from left, Becky Dutton, Gianna Dutton, Anna Hardman and Rachael Hardman.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Bobby Canter and Colin Sacui enjoyed fresh fruit and veggies during the Family Health Night at Poland Union on Jan. 25.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Poland Union first-grade students and their families did exercises across the gym during the Family Health Night on Jan. 25.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
First-grade students at Poland Union got into shape with their families during the Family Health Night on Jan. 25 and 26.
The annual Family Health Night is to help students and their families spend time together and have fun while learning how to be healthy. Several guests attended the event to help throughout the night. Mascots like Boomer from the Phantoms, Chomps from the Cleveland Browns, Scrappy from the Scrappers, Pete from Youngstown State University and the Poland Bulldog came to visit with the families and work on their own fitness.
“Working with little kids, we thought it was important to involve families and teach kids about good health practices,” said student teacher Chad Fender.
Union has spent the last two months planning and organizing the event. Students were encouraged to bring in more than one family member if they wanted to.
Jerry DeJane, owner of Fine Tune Fitness, and the members of the Youngstown State University baseball team came to demonstrate different exercises for the families.
“I think it’s great for the parents and the families. They’re getting up off the couch and getting the kids stimulated in other ways,” said DeJane.
The event takes place over two nights so there is enough room for the families to participate in different activities. Half of the first grade came one night while the other half came the next night.
Families split into three groups and went to different stations. One station involved doing different exercises with the baseball players, mascots and DeJane. The other station was families making snowmen out of socks and the third station was in the cafeteria where families could try fruits and vegetables. Students were familiar with many of the snacks, but new ones were introduced for them to try.
“It’s really important for students to try and a good chance for them to get used to different textures and flavors,” said Holly Lefoer, nurse at Union.
The program provides an opportunity for students and their family members to learn different ways of staying active.
“This is an awesome night to get the kids active and involved and educated on good foods and healthy living. It’s an important part of life,” said YSU baseball coach Dan Bertolini.
This is the first time the baseball players have come to Family Health Night. Bertolini said they would be more than willing to come back again next year to help out.
Family Health Night is one of the many nights Poland Union hosts for the students throughout the year. Most of the first-grade students return to the school in the evening to take part in the fun and activities.