The sixth Family Fun Night of the year took place at the South Elementary School on May 4, 2017. Partners School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard welcomed eighty parents and children to participate in a program that engages them 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 were offered sessions on nutrition with Rose Couto, RN from Saint Anne's Hospital and one on moving to music with Fitness Leader Mike Ramos. Participants also had the opportunity to speak with representatives of a dozen agencies including the  BMC HealthNet Plan, Children's Advocacy Center, DCF Foster Parenting, Family Service Association, Katie Brown Educational Program, People Incorporated, Road to Healing, Saint Anne's Hospital, Samaritans, South Elementary Alphabest, Southcoast Health, WIC, and Partners for a Healthier Community covering its Sugar-Free Challenge. Click here for a 30-minute video of the event and here for a longer video of Ms. Couto's session.. Click here for an earlier event at the Kuss Middle School. For more information, contact School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard at 774-319-0107.

(Top row) Parents and children check in at the South Elementary School before being welcomed by Partners School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard who explains the evening's events. (Row two) Jessica Cyr of Family Service Association talks with some youngsters while Mike Ramos starts a fitness activity and Liz Fernandes talks to others about South Elementary Alphabest, (Row three) Children and parents talk with Ana D'Abruzzo and Dr. Uma Kolli at the Saint Anne's Hospital, and staff at the  People Incorporated, Road to Healing and WIC tables. (Row four) Rose Couto, RN, CDE, of Saint Anne's Hospital, makes the case for eating whole apples rather than drinking apple juice which has as much sugar as soda. (Rows five and six) Fitness Leader Mike Ramos has fun with several groups as he gets them moving to music. (Row seven) Jack Shipley of Partners talks to families about choosing healthier beverages such as water and whole milk as better options. (Bottom row) South Elementary School Principal Dr.Joann Pereira draws the winning numbers for ten bags of groceries.