Representatives of each of Fall River's nine elementary schools gathered in the Kuss Middle School community room on February 2, 2010 for an update on Tufts University’s “Children In Balance” (CIB) project in Fall River schools. Project Coordinator Marcia Picard welcomed Mayor Will Flanagan to open the meeting and then introduced University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program director Pat Bebo, Food Service staff Bob Dempsey, Nancy McCloskey and Kelli Mello, and Community Development Recreation staff Grace Gerling, Annemarie Sharkey and Jamison Souza who described their work on the project. Barbara Terrio at the Tansey School then talked about her experiences with bringing CIB activities to the school through the HEAT Club and the SMILES program. Healthy City Fall River coordinator David Weed then called on Fall River Schools Director of Instructional Services Meg Christ who pointed to the importance of implementing the School Department Wellness Policy and Mass In Motion coordinator Julianne Kelly who described some of the community-wide efforts to change systems and policies to support healthier lifestyles. Click here for photos of last year's meeting. For further information about the project, contact Project Manager Marcia Picard at 508-324-2228.

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(Top row, left) Children In Balance project manager Marcia Picard and Letourneau principal Kimberly Sefrino listen as Mayor Flanagan describes the importance of improving fitness and nutrition among Fall River school children. (Top row, center) University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program director Pat Bebo describes some upcoming learning opportunities for parents as director of school nurses Karen Long listens. School food service supervisors Nancy McCloskey and Kelli Mello point out that Fall River received the most federal funding for fresh fruits and vegetables of any school system in the Commonwealth last year. (Middle row, left) Frank M. Silvia School principal Denise Ward describes some of the changes at her school that have resulted from the project. (Middle row, right) Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown and Mass In Motion coordinator Julianne Kelly listen as School food service director Bob Dempsey describes some of the changes that have taken place within the cafeterias. (Bottom row, left) Spencer Borden principal Marie Woollam and Special Needs director Joyce Blackburn listens as Barbara Terrio describes the Healthy Activity Active Time (HEAT) Clubs that operate at the Doran and other schools. (Bottom row, center) Healthy City coordinator David Weed talks about plans to continue CIB activities over the next five years as Greene School principal Vivian Kuss and vice-principal Tara Gagnon listen. (Bottom row, right) Doran principal Maria Pontes listens as Instructional Services Director Meg Christ points out the importance of implementing the School's Wellness Policy.