Community

Students learn about nature wellness

At Tyrone's St. Matthew School, the month of October has been focusing on safety and wellness issues.

Nationally, October specifically identifies awareness of health issues including substance abuse prevention, crime prevention and school bus safety. The focus at the school is to encourage students to lead a healthy lifestyle through physical activity, healthy eating choices, developing good friendships, keeping the environment healthy and building a strong spiritual relationship with Christ.

The month of activities began with a day-long trip to Reservoir Park where activities included play and team challenges along with a special focus on nature.

"We were so blessed to have members of the Pennsylvania Game and Fish and Boat Commissions on site to share their expertise with the students," commented Principal Pauline Wiley. "To be able to have such a treasure as this park to use as a classroom is a tribute to the Tyrone Borough staff and residents."

The program was organized by Game Commission Wildlife Biologist Tony Musselman, whose daughter attends St. Matthew School.

"We love getting out into the community and to be able to actually work with young people outside, in nature, is a special treat," Musselman explained. "Our four centers have a common theme of the importance of how different ecosystems work together to support animal and plant life and humans as well."

Musselman led the land and water walk through areas of the park focusing on the importance and interaction between aquatic and terrestrial systems and their tie into our everyday life.

Wildlife Biologist Ethan Kibe played the food web game which had students actively demonstrate how each participant in a food web affects each member.

Drew King, a Fisheries Biologist with the Fish and Boat Commission, brought models showing the aquatic systems in streams and had students place fish into different devices used to improve fish habitats.

Reagan Musselman, currently a middle school student who was serving as a volunteer instructor, shared the predator and prey relationship by having the students actively reenact what happens when a predator seeks out its prey.

In addition, Sgt. Michael College and SGW Ben Sawina shared their experiences as game wardens.

"There was so much to do. I really liked exploring the stream and chasing the prey when I was the predator," fourth grader LB Hawthorne said.

Second grader Rory Good added, "Being outside and playing with my friends for the whole day was the best."

"God granted us a beautiful day in a beautiful setting with parents, guests and staff who love these children," Wiley concluded. "What better way to inspire a sense of wellbeing."

Upcoming Safety and Wellness events later include Literary Wellness with Liberian Mary Jane Rudakewich, Zumba into Health with Lindsay Pullara, Being Safe with the Hookies Fire Company, Wellness through Creativity with Artist in Residence Laurie Cave, Helping Our Pets Live Well with Veterinarians Emma and Kyle Heasley, an exercise walk through Tyrone, and spiritual wellness as part of a School Mass with Father Michael Pleva.

The school's Facebook page is at stmatthewschooltyrone.