Grants in the amount of $225 each were awarded to teachers at Libby Tozier School in Litchfield, Readfield Elementary School, and Hall-Dale Elementary School to support implementation or expansion of the Take Time! physical activity program. Take Time! is designed to increase the amount of physical activity students receive during the school day outside of recess and PE. The program is designed to complement, not replace, classroom instruction.

The award recipients receive training and support materials and agree to be Champions for the Take Time! program in their schools. To help Champions encourage other teachers in their school to implement Take Time!, HCCA will award incentives to one participating classroom per school each month. Congratulations to Litchfield, Hall-Dale, and Readfield schools for prioritizing student health! A special thank you to Anthony Anderson, MSAD #11 School Health Coordinator for assisting HCCA with Take Time! expansion to more of our schools.

 

Prior to Super Bowl Sunday shoppers at Cumberland Farms and Rite-Aid stores in Winthrop may have noticed students from the Winthrop High School Youth Voices Group applying bright orange stickers to alcoholic beverages warning shoppers of the penalties associated with providing alcohol to minors. The Sticker Shock Campaign is designed to reach adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. Stickers warning about the penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors are placed on beer, wine, and other alcohol products that might appeal to minors. The project represents a partnership among youth, retailers, concerned parents and community members, prevention professionals, and law enforcement with the goal of educating potential furnishers, raising public awareness about underage drinking, and emphasizing the effect of the law against providing alcohol to minors.

Youth Voices advocacy groups at Winthrop High School, Cony High School, and Gardiner Regional Middle School are supported by HCCA and pledge to be tobacco and substance-free; educate other students, parents, school administration, and community members about the dangers of tobacco and substance use; and work to influence policy and environmental change around these issues. If  students in your school district are interested in forming a youth advocacy group, please contact Renee Page at rpage@mcd.org.