In response to a surge of deer ticks, dog ticks, and the increasingly aggressive lone star tick, the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School (MVPCS) will be hosting Tick Bite Prevention Week from May 4 to 8.
Throughout the week, students will participate in hands-on, project-based learning designed to turn prevention strategies into everyday habits. Activities will include community poster contests, student-created advertising campaigns, and social media initiatives aimed at raising awareness and encouraging simple behavior changes to reduce tick exposure. Students will also have interactive lessons led by local scientists and tick prevention experts Lea Hamner and Patrick Roden-Reynolds.
The school is inviting families and community members to participate in two special events:
- The Parent Q and A Session on Thursday, May 7, at 2 pm at the MVPCS campus at 424 State Road in West Tisbury. Parents are encouraged to attend.
- A Student Entrepreneurship and Public Health Talk to be held virtually on Friday, May 8, at 9:40 am. Jason Griffin, president of Insect Shield, will speak with students about the intersection of science, public health, and business innovation.
According to the press release, combining science, creativity, and real-world application allows students to not just learn about prevention but lead it. For more information, contact Vicki Richardson at vrichardson@mvpcs.org.