One hundred parents and students came to the South Elementary School in Somerset on May 5, 2016 for a Family Fun Night organized by Partners School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard. The program engages both adults and children in some healthy movement while learning about nutrition and a range of community resources that they can access to maintain or improve their health. Participants joined WiggleKids Leader Kim Ferrara for fun sessions with pool noodles and Chef Jessica Williams of Creating Healthy Solutions to learn how to make smoothies using tofu. Participants also had the opportunity to speak with representatives of ten agencies including the Children's Advocacy Center, Greater Fall River Re-Creation, HealthFirst Dental Clinic, JRI Foster Care and Adoption, People Incorporated, Saint Anne's Hospital, Southcoast Health, the WIC Program, and the Swansea YMCA, along with Partners for a Healthier Community covering its Soda-Free Challenge. Click here for a 30-minute video of the event. Click here for photos and video of a similar event at the Letourneau Elementary School. For more information, contact School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard at 774-319-0107.

(Top row) After arriving at the school in the rain, parents and children sign in with PTO members Ashley Chasse and Kristin Lawrenson and get their door prize ticket from Jodi-Ann Melo. (Row two) Partners School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard begins the event and sends the group to one of three stations. (Rows three through five)  Chef Jessica Williams of Creating Healthy Solutions prepares three different smoothies using tofu and has the children offer samples. (Rows six through eight) Coach Kim Ferrara of WiggleKids leads three different groups in fun moves using pool noodles and music. (Rows nine through eleven) Representatives of Southcoast Health, People Incorporated, and the Children's Advocacy Center talk with parents and children as Jack Shipley of Partners for a Healthier Community talks about reducing sugar-sweetened beverages as part of its Soda-Free Challenge. (Bottom row) As Jodi-Ann and Ashley call out the winning tickets, students, including Jodi-Ann's daughter, Abbey Melo, run up to get their ags of groceries donated by Southcoast Health. Jodi-Ann then poses for a photo with her son, Brody, and her daughter, Abbey.