HEALTH & FITNESS
FALL WARMUPS More great recipes from the Homeplate crew: 17
South Side Academy seeks donations for bike program
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outh Side Academy is seeking donations for its kindergarten biking program. Children could soon be riding bikes in their physical-education classes, but they need to raise the funds first. All Kids Bike, a national program that seeks to teach children in America how to ride a bike, is working to bring the physical-education program to the Youngstown charter school. South Side Academy started the initiative late last year. If successful, the program would benefit approximately 100 students. South Side Academy is a K-8 charter school with 191 students, and located at 1400 Oak Hill Ave. on Youngstown’s South Side. South Side Academy Dean of Students Kristine Hunchuck said the bicycles would be used onsite (indoors and outdoors) and at Irma Davis Park, which is adjacent to the school. Bicycles would be housed at the school. All Kids Bike equips schools with the materials they need to teach children how to ride; teacher training and certification, a structured eight-lesson curriculum, a fleet of Strider® 14x Bikes, pedalconversion kits, fully-adjustable helmets, and a five-year support plan. Launched in March 2018, there are 343 schools in 42 states with All Kids Bike Kindergarten PE Programs. “Bike-riding has many mental health benefits that would be a positive addition to the lives of our students. Riding a bike can help to increase a child’s self-esteem and aide in goal-setting behaviors,” said Hunchuck.
ALL KIDS BIKE
South Side Academy is seeking donations for its kindergarten biking program. Children could soon be riding bikes in their physical-education classes, but they need to raise the funds. Pictured: children in the All Kids Bike program.
“One of the best ways to get kids active is to get them excited about bicycles,” said All Kids Bike board member Ryan McFarland, “It’s a skill that is going to serve them in life.” To learn more about the program or make
a donation, visit here. Donations are tax deductible. South Side Academy is also interested in local program partners. For more information, call 330-774-5562 or email khunchuck@southsideedu.org.
DeWine: State effort to assist veteran-serving organizations Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is announcing a new initiative to offer state assistance to veteran-serving organizations in Ohio. As part of an effort led by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Ohio Department of Veteran Services, the state will work with local veteran organizations to identify gaps in mental health services and offer assistance. “Ohio’s strong commitment to our men, women, and families in uniform has a long history, and we are building on that foundation today to make resources more 12 SEPTEMBER 2021 METRO MONTHLY
visible and accessible,” said DeWine. “Providing for the health and well-being of veterans is one way Ohio shows its gratitude.” An initial investment of $200,000 in grant funding will be provided to eight veteran service agencies to enhance or expand their services. Investments include funding for a new veteran peer-support liaison at the Greene County Veterans Services Office and funding to support a recurring series of mobile pop-up events that will offer on-site health, dental, and legal assistance for Franklin County veterans.
The Ohio National Guard’s mental health support website, OhioCares.Ohio. gov, is also now updated to carry information applicable to all active-duty military personnel, reservists, Guard members, veterans of all military branches, and their families. The site had previously catered its information only to members of the Ohio National Guard. Ohioans who are in crisis or need to talk to someone should call the Ohio CareLine at 1-800-720-9616 or the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.
Columbiana scheduling third-dose vaccines
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he Columbiana County Health District is scheduling third-dose vaccines for eligible immunocompromised individuals, 18 years of age or older, who have completed their primary Moderna series. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have made a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine available to certain immunocompromised individuals. This dose should be given at least 28 days after the completion of the primary mRNA vaccination series. The CDC states that the purpose of this additional dose is to strengthen the immune response when the initial immune response to the primary two-dose vaccine series is likely to be insufficient. It is recommended that qualifying immunocompromised individuals, age 12 and older who have received the Pfizer series, and 18 and older who have received the Moderna series, speak with their healthcare provider to determine their degree of immune system compromise and the appropriate timing of their vaccination. The CDC has defined the current eligible population to include: n Individuals undergoing active treatment for cancer (solid tumor and hematologic malignancies). n Individuals who have received a solidorgan transplant and are taking immunosuppressive therapy. n Individuals who have received a CART-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within two years of transplant or taking immunosuppression therapy). n Individuals with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome). n Individuals with advanced or untreated HIV infection. n Individuals undergoing active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (less than 20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory. The rate of COVID-19 positive tests continues to increase in Columbiana County, and the health department encourages all residents who have not yet been vaccinated to do so. Call 330-424-0272, extension 114, to schedule an appointment.
