To the Editor:

What was just an idea in the fall during one of our first Wellness Committee Meetings at the Tisbury School became a reality on June 10. With help from several members of the Martha’s Vineyard community, as well as school staff and parent volunteers, the Tisbury School Wellness Day was a success.

The day was filled with activities and educational sessions, all run by volunteers. All of the students who participated were entered into a raffle for a chance to win 1 of 50 prizes, which included three bikes and numerous bike helmets donated by the Tisbury Police Association, Cycle Works, the Tisbury School PTO, Brickman’s, and The Toy Box.

Thanks to Claire Lafave from Island Grown Schools and the Tisbury School cafeteria staff, students enjoyed a totally locally sourced lunch prepared with food from the school garden, Morning Glory Farm, Mermaid Farm, Thimble Farm, the FARM Institute, Net Result, and John’s Fish Market.

Sincere thanks to all of the generous volunteers who gave their time to share with Tisbury School students an appreciation for health and wellness. Their help made this event possible and highly successful.

We would also like to thank the following organizations and individuals: Police Chief Dan Hanavan, Lt. Eerik Meisner, School Resource Officer Scott Ogden, Officer Michael Gately, and Office Michael LeChasse, Tisbury Police Department; Tisbury Police Association; Petty Officer Gary Kovack and Fireman Luis Santana, U.S. Coast Guard Station Menemsha; Tiffany Brown and Danielle Reynolds, Rise Vineyard Performing Arts; Heather McElhinney, Tisbury Emergency Management Services; Erin Reed and Nevette Previd, Mass. In Motion; Town of Edgartown Beach Director Kurstin Meehan; Barnstable County Nurse Deirdre Arvidson; Brittany Moreis, YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard; Josh Levy, Vineyard Nutrition; Tisbury School Parent-Teacher Organization; Tisbury School Cafeteria Staff; Morning Glory Farm; Mermaid Farm; Thimble Farm; The FARM Institute; Net Result; John’s Fish Market; Cycle Works; Brickman’s; and The Toy Box. Also, Matt Cancellare, Amy Custer, Laura Edelman, Julie Meader, Sondra Murphy, Erika Mulvey, Susan Waldrop, Meg Athearn, Susan Dostal, Alexandra Wojnowski, Jeanne Dowling, Anne Caldwell, and Claire Lafave.

Catherine Coogan, RN, MPH

Tisbury School Nurse