Students at Burton Street Elementary School last week spent a day learning and even teaching about physical and mental health at the school’s first Health and Wellness Fair.

The fair, held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, in the front gym presented community vendors as well as students’ classroom projects on health and wellness, and offered students an opportunity throughout the day to visit the fair before their lunch and enjoy interactive movement activities and information tables.

The fair was a component of a recent grant project put together by Christine Tillman, school psychologist, Mary Horan, school social worker and Cindy Hirt, school nurse.

“We’re thrilled with all the responses, participation and enthusiasm,” Tillman said. “The enthusiasm from the kids has been tremendous.”

Some of the information available during the health and wellness fair included: classroom projects on healthy teeth brushing, sunburn prevention and skin safety and healthy eating choices; community vendors such as Kelly’s Choice teaching nutrition and CAVAC Student Corps members teaching kids about blood pressure and first aid; and physical activities such as basketball, hula-hooping and beach-ball tossing on a parachute.

In the back gym, students also participated in the 21-Minute Challenge to exercise continuously for 21 minutes.

“What I like about the health fair is that it offers … all different activities from vendors and kids. It’s truly been a successful event,” said Burton Street Principal Mary Ann McIntosh. “I’m sure we’ll have a Wellness Week again next year.”

Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].