Easton Public Schools staff members participate in yoga during the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Easton Public Schools staff members participate in Zumba during the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Easton Public Schools staff members participate in Tabata during the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Easton Public Schools staff members visit vendor tables during the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Auntie Zaza’s Fiber Works offered beginner knitting instruction (front) and the Easton Community Health and Paramedicine Program shared information and offered blood pressure checks (back) at the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Easton Public Schools staff members participate in mobile miniature golf during the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Easton Public Schools staff members participate in the Hammer & Stain Workshop during the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Easton Public Schools staff members participate in a Calm & Color activity during the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Josh Peach, founder of Be Au Sm (Be Awesome), shares his personal and professional journey during a presentation to staff at the Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. (Photo courtesy Easton Public Schools)
EASTON — Superintendent Lisha Cabral is pleased to share that the Easton Public Schools, in partnership with the Old Colony YMCA, hosted a Health and Wellness Fair for staff.
The fair took place Friday, March 18 at Oliver Ames High School. Hundreds of staff members districtwide attended the fair and took part in various fitness and wellness activities.
“Our staff members have encountered a lot of stressful challenges and changes over the past couple of years, and our goal with this event was to show them that they are valued and appreciated, and that their health and wellbeing is important to our administrative team,” Superintendent Cabral said. “It was great to see so many staff members come to participate in the activities and learn about local resources, and we are grateful to the community volunteers, vendors, and Darcy Paiva and the Old Colony YMCA for their support of and participation in this event.”
Activities were set up around the high school. Fitness activities included Tabata, Zumba and Yoga. Mindfulness activities included Mindfulness and Reiki, an energy healing technique that promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety; a Heart & Soul Holistic Healing Center that taught mini lessons on Reflexology, CranioSacral and Reiki; and a Calm & Color activity that included relaxing music and adult coloring books.
Staff members were also encouraged to get outside and were able to participate in a guided nature walk with the Natural Resources Trust of Easton through the Clifford G. Grant reservation trail, as well as walk the high school track for fresh air and exercise.
Other activities included a Hammer & Stain Workshop where staff members could apply positive words or phrases of affirmation to pre-stained 8-inch planks; mobile miniature golf; and cornhole, KanJam, Ladderball and Spikeball.
Staff members were also able to attend a presentation by Josh Peach, founder of Be Au Sm (Be Awesome), who shared his personal and professional journey and provided insight on how to make the day more “Au Sm” than the day before. Pre-recorded TedxTalks and speeches by motivational speakers on wellness topics were also played.
A number of vendors were present at the fair to provide healthy snacks and water, information, consultations and resources to staff. They included:
- Ames Free Library
- Auntie Zaza’s Fiber Works – Yarn Shop
- Anytime Fitness
- Be Inspired Counseling, LLC
- Big Heart Therapies
- Elliot Physical Therapy
- Employee Assistance Program – All One Health
- Healthy Hustle Fitness
- Langwater Farm
- Easton Community Health and Paramedicine Program
- Nana’s Vegan Bakery
- New England Nutrition Advisors
- Old Colony YMCA
- Roche Bros
- Squeeze-et Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Gentle Personal Training
- Wells Financial Partners
- ABMM Financial
“When Superintendent Cabral and Assistant Superintendent Pruitt first reached out about putting this event together months ago, it was a no-brainer and the Y was so grateful to be asked to join in the planning of it! Throughout the planning process, it was evident how much the administration cares for staff and the admiration they have for them,” said Darcy Paiva, Executive Director of the Old Colony YMCA’s Easton Branch.
She added, “EPS staff members have overcome so many trials and challenges over the last year and a half so our goal was to provide a fun, informative event filled with resources surrounding all aspects of health and wellness. This includes physical fitness, mental health, socialization, self-care, physical wellbeing and local organizations that can support them. We hope all of the attending staff members were able to take away some resources, learn about different aspects of wellness, get in a great workout and have some fun in the process!”
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