Principals from Fall River's nine elementary schools were invited to a coffee hour at the Letourneau Elementary School on December 18, 2008, to learn about the Tufts University’s “Children In Balance” (CIB) program that is replicating the Shape Up Somerville childhood obesity prevention project in Fall River schools. Project Coordinator Marcia Picard described the multiple aspects of the program that include both nutrition education and an emphasis on physical activity among elementary school-aged children. Principals from seven of the nine schools heard from school Food Service Director Bob Dempsey and Assistant Director Lynn Petrowski, University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program director Pat Bebo, School Wellness Coordinator Sue Sterrett, and Healthy City Fall River coordinator David Weed. Ms. Picard also described the Healthy Activity Active Time (HEAT) Clubs that are currently operating in eight after-school programs throughout the community as part of the Children in Balance program. The program is helping to operationalize many aspects of the Fall River School's Wellness Plan.  Click here to see photos of one of the teacher training sessions. Click here to see photos of the food service employees training. Click here to see some of the school cafeteria meals. For further information about the project, contact Project Manager Marcia Picard at 508-324-2228.

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(Top row, left) Watson School nurse, Cindy Lima, R.N. and principal Nancy Martin-Bernier talk with project manager Marcia Picard before sitting down. (Top row, right) Nancy McCloskey of Facilities and Operations, Lynn Petrowski, Pat Bebo and Sue Sterrett grab some coffee before the meeting. (Middle row, left) Nutritionists Louan Tavares, Teresa Liuzzi, and Jessica Riccardi of the University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program, and Kelli Mello of Facilities and Operations listen to Marcia's presentation. (Middle row, right) Principals Denise Ward of the Silvia School, Elizabeth Almeida of the Tansey School, and Marie Woollam of the Spencer Borden School share their perceptions of the program. (Bottom row, left) Pat Bebo responds to comments by food service director Bob Dempsey. (Bottom row, center) Greene School principal Vivian Kuss listens as Marcia Picard talks about the after-school (HEAT) Clubs. (Bottom row, right) Elizabeth Almeida, Marie Woollam and Doran School principal Maria Pontes listen as Marcia reads a poem praising the work of school principals.