FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2009
Pleasant Hill Middle Schools students with special needs selected for All-Health Team
COLUMBIA - Pleasant Hill Middle Schools students with special needs have been selected for the All-Health Team, the S. C. Department and Environmental Control announced today.
The Project S.M.I.L.E. (Special Minds Integrate Life and Living Experiences) is made up of 6th through 8th grade students with special needs. The project was created to teach the students job and life skills and to encourage healthy choices, said Joann Moton Minder, DHECs All-Health Team coordinator.
The students learn about various fruits, vegetables and herbs, and the importance of eating healthy, Minder said. They purchase items from local produce stands, and prepare fruit and vegetable baskets for sale. The students market, promote and work all aspects of the business. They also learn social skills and teamwork.
According to Minder, the students also learn the importance of physical activity. Several of the students train, participate and compete in the Special Olympics. All of the students participate in desk exercises in the classroom.
Since Project S.M.I.L.E. has been such a success, plans are underway for expansion, Minder said. The students are planning to add healthy home made snacks and breads, and to increase their sales by marketing to Pleasant Hill Elementary School. The long-term goal is that the students will learn job skills that will make them more marketable in the future.
For being named to the All-Health Team, Project S.M.L.I.L.E. will receive $500 to expand its project, t-shirts and other All-Health Team items, recognition on the All-Health Team Web site and a television spot on WIS-TV in Columbia.
DHEC and WIS-TV sponsor the All-Health Team. Each month, the partnership recognizes an individual or youth group promoting health in their community. For more information, visit the All-Health Team Web site, call Minder at (803) 545-4501 or e-mail her at: minderjm@dhec.sc.gov.
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For more information:
Adam Myrick - (803) 898-3884
E-mail - myrickar@dhec.sc.gov
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