By BEN DECK

For the Washington Daily News

 

Lashia Stevenson smiled as she stretched out her arm in the lunchroom of Eastern Elementary School recently to get her blood pressure checked.

“I like it,” she said. “There should be more stuff like this.”

Stevenson, who is mother of a kindergartener at Eastern, was taking part in a community health screening being put on by the Community Health Program of Vidant Beaufort Hospital. The screening was part of Family Night at the school, held on March 20.

“We are pleased that we could have a well-attended event that could promote literacy, healthful living, community partners and showcase student work at Eastern Elementary,” said Principal Seth Smith.

The hospital, Eastern’s Bright Futures partner, regularly assists with a variety of needs at the school, according to first-grade teacher Jennifer Walker. Bright Futures is a partnership between Beaufort County Schools and the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to create partnerships inspiring educational achievement and developing community success to enrich the lives of children, according to the chamber.

The hospital helps Eastern with things throughout the school year, but the health screenings felt like a natural fit, Walker said.

“This was something they felt they could do for our parents,” Walker said. “A healthy parent helps ensure a healthy student.”

The family night also highlighted the school’s book fair, which raised $6,312.51 over the course of the week, according to school officials. The proceeds will be used to help pay for books and supplies for the library and for classrooms.

“Our goal has been to do one (family night) at least every other month,” Walker said. “We want at least something for our parents to come to or see work from once a month.”

Walker said the school may host additional health screenings in the future.