The 1st Annual South Orange Middle School (SOMS) Wellness Week will provide a host of activities and events for SOMS students and staff the week of May 9. The event will culminate with the return of the SOMS Wellness Extravaganza — open to the entire community — on Thursday, May 12.
Read more about last year’s Extravaganza here.
Expert speakers come throughout the week to talk to students about substance abuse, bullying, relaxation, nutrition, and fitness. “Throughout the week during PE and health staff members will be engaged in activities together,” said PE teacher and event organizer Allison Cahill. “Staff will also have organic food tastings and chair massages to promote wellness during the week. A parent night will focus on stress and the adolescent brain. I am running a pedometer challenge with staff members and the students are creating logos and posters for the event. Everyone is immersed in the entire week!”
The entire district is invited to the SOMS gymnasium on May 12th from 6:00-8:30pm for the Wellness Extravaganza.
Monday May 9th
BUST MY STRESS Day
- All staff and students will receive a stress dot in 1st period
- Yoga instructors are coming form the Yoga Play House and Align Wellness Studio to conduct yoga with Health and PE classes
- 11:00-2:00 Free chair massages/wellness info and subway lunch for all staff members
- Parent Keynote speaker Lauren Muriello in the library from 7-8:00pm on teens and stress as well as discussing how to talk to your teen about saying no to drugs and alcohol
Tuesday May 10th
JUST Say NO to Bullying and Drugs and Alcohol!
Everyone will receive an anti-drug bracelet in the morning
During Health:
- 8th graders will have speakers from Garden State Equality (LGBTQ)
- 7th graders will have speakers from GASP to talk about a smoke-free environment
- 6th graders will have rappers rap about bullying (they are traveling from another state)
- NJ Child Assault will talk to technology classes about Cyberbullying
Wednesday May 11th
SPORTS and FITNESS Day
Everyone wear your favorite sports jersey
- Periods 2-4 : staff vs. student games (wiffle ball, volleyball or badminton)
- VivaZClub is coming to PE and Health for periods 6-8 and engaging the students in Zumba
- From 11:00-1:30 Nadene Kerstan will be providing all staff with delicious smoothies and granola in the faculty room
Thursday May 12th
Nutrition Day
- Chef Dellamore will be cooking in the gymnasium for all periods of health and PE
2nd Annual SOMS Wellness Extravaganza in the gym from 6:00-8:30
Free food and drinks
Free health screenings- glucose, backpack screening, cholesterol, blood pressure, vision
Special performances
Cooking demonstrations
Free giveaways at EVERY booth
First 150 students to show up receives customized earbuds
Drum circle and jazz band will perform
Free chair massages
Over 50 local organizations and health professionals:
*The Power of Food Productions *South Orange Police *Studio 509 Fitness, Wellness and More *South Orange CERT *EPA *Jersey Cares * Garden State Equality *Newark Beth Children’s Hospital *Viva Z Club*South Orange Fire Dept. *Janes Juice
*St. Barnabas *Highway2Well *GirlsHelpingGirls.Period *Spa Lady and Cycle RX *Robin Hood *YouthNet Clubs *South Orange Environmental Commission *Planned Parenthood *Orange County Dairy Promotion *Garden State Urban Farms *The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society *NJ Assault Program *University Hospital *Knead Healing *The TWIM Experience *Columbia Track Team *GASP *GLSEN Central New Jersey *Med Express Urgent Care *Cougar Nation *ADAPT *Dr. Rick Wolf *Advocates for Youth*The Blue Wave and MORE!!!!!
