OLOL Parent Council Helping Grow Healty Families

Written by admin on 05 March 2012

Castles built by families which participated in the "Making Healthy Connections" family night at OLOL. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON – The evening of Thursday, February 23rd families of students of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School attended an education session titled “Making Healthy Connections” offered by the OLOL Parent Council thanks to an annual grant from the Superior North Catholic District School Board.

Three local organizations; the Manitouwadge Family Health Team, which works out of the Manitouwadge General Hospital providing healthcare support and promoting a healthy community, presented “Healthy Eating“; North of Superior Programs (NOSP) Integrated Services for Northern Children (ISNC),offered strategies for “Communicating With Your Child” while the Manitouwadge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police had officer present safety information to the families.

There were hands-on activities which helped illustrate some of the strategies being presented including a castle-making challenge from NOSP/ISNC during their session on communication, which helped the participating families practice their communication skills as they were faced with building construction paper castles with limited supplies, there were no scissors provided for example, and very specific instructions.

Parents were able to focus on the instruction being offered thanks to childcare being offered at no cost, on-site, for pre-school aged children while refreshments and draws during the evening kept it light and fun in spite of some of the very serious material being discussed.

Our Lady of Lourdes School emphasizes health in all aspects of student life, spiritual, emotional, physical and this evening offered parents real strategies they can put into practice for healthy homes and families. Principal Diane Nelson was pleased with how the evening unfolded “We understand that everyone is very busy and appreciate parents taking time out of their busy schedules to attend after school sessions” said Nelson adding that “The Parent Council worked hard to ensure this evening was worthwhile and enjoyable for all who attended, we really appreciate the efforts and time put forth by these dedicated volunteers”.