Lehighton Area School District Wellness Committee is working to promote a healthy lifestyle not only for students, but for employees and the entire community as well.

"Most people think wellness has to do with the food in our kitchens, but it's more than that," said Wellness Committee Chairman Rocky Ahner. "Wellness promotes a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, exercise, and education."The mission of the Wellness Committee is to promote student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience."But we're going a little beyond the student and reaching out to the employees, parents, and the community," added Ahner. "We can teach a healthy lifestyle in school, but if you don't promote it the rest of the day, you're defeating the purpose."One of the projects that the committee is currently planning is a Wellness Fair, perhaps to be held in conjunction with "Meet the Tribe" Night in August.The committee also plans to promote wellness at the fifth annual Lehighton School and Community Educational/Safety Program from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19 to be held at Baer Memorial Swimming Pool in Lehighton. This free evening of swimming, food, and activities is sponsored each year by LASD Title One Department and Baer Memorial Swimming Pool.In addition to planning events, the Wellness Committee also learned about CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) at a recent meeting.According to Carbon County Emergency Management Planner/Trainer Tom Newman, the CERT program is designed to acquaint county residents with introductory courses in basic first aid; triage; disaster preparedness; fire suppression; light search and rescue; and terrorism awareness."Neighbors helping neighbors is our goal," Newman said.In the event of a disaster, a CERT member is recognized as a volunteer under the direction of Carbon County Emergency Management Agency.CERT classes will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on four consecutive Mondays, April 7, 14, 21, and 28. Attendance is required all four evenings for certification. If a class is missed, it may be "made up" during the fall 2014 session, Mondays, Sept. 8, 15, 22, and 29.For more information or to sign up for the CERT classes, call 570-325-3097 or e-mail

cccert@ptd.net.Joseph Pilla and Gene Binder of ETA Benefits Group followed with a presentation about resources that are available to the school district that focus on wellness of the staff. Currently, the school district's insurance program does not offer incentives toward wellness.In addition, Carol Fikus of Valley Preferred discussed "Wellementary," a program in Parkland School District that focuses on elementary students regarding wellness and nutrition.Following the presentations, Ahner set up the following sub-committees:Advisory (to address school lunches) - Laurie Ahner; Charles Bachert; Suzanne Howland; Sylvia Quigley; Daniel Repsher; and Timothy Tkach - as well as a nurse, parent representative, student representative, and Chartwells representativeCurriculum - Health and physical education teachers throughout the school districtNutrition - Laurie Ahner; James Blakeslee; Colleen Harleman; and Deb McKainPhysical Activities - Dorinda Daley; Jack Finnegan; Suzanne Howland; Erica Pagotto; Daniel Repsher; and Norine ZehnerSchool Board Policy / Mandates - Rocky Ahner and Gloria Bowman"Lehighton is fortunate to have a group of dedicated individuals, as they can set an example for other schools or towns," Ahner summed up.The next meeting of the Wellness Committee is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, March 10 at LASD Administration Building.