By Stephanie Vaccaro, Staff Writer
If you venture out to Littlebrook School this week, you’ll find first-graders doing yoga and fifth-graders learning CPR.
It’s part of a two-week Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds partnership Littlebrook has with Princeton HealthCare System that runs from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1.
”Schools are being asked to address the obesity epidemic in our country now, especially among children,” said Principal Annie Kosek. “Although it’s not a huge issue here, we do have some cause for concern at the school.”
Every year the Littlebrook PTO sponsors a residency program, Ms. Kosek said. In the past they have brought in authors, artists, woodworkers, illustrators and poets.
This year, with a push toward wellness at the district level, Ms. Kosek said they wanted to focus on health, so they approached the hospital to see if it would be willing to work with them.
”They’ve been really generous with their time and with their personnel,” said Ms. Kosek.
Students in every grade are engaging in the same age-appropriate activities, with one exception. The fifth-graders are being taught CPR, while the presentation for students in kindergarten through fourth grade is more general, as they rotate between four stations: calling 911; airway obstruction; basic first aid; and tours of an ambulance and police car. Other lessons will be offered to every student, including separate sessions on yoga, exercise and nutrition.
All students also are taking part in a personal safety session, which includes lessons on distinguishing between “good” and “bad” strangers; avoiding or dealing with bullies; car safety; and bus safety. The session also includes a review of calling 911 and demonstrations of personal safety techniques.
Representatives of Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad and the Princeton Township Police Department will provide vehicle tours.
”They love going in the ambulance and the [police] car,” said Ms. Kosek. “It’s just a fabulous experience, but it’s deeper than just that. The learning is much deeper. To watch the little ones, even the first graders, learn the Heimlich maneuver. They understand that they have some power behind them and can do some of these things — it’s a real learning.”
”We strive to bring the very best community health programming throughout their life span,” said Debbie Millar, site director for the Community Education and Outreach Program for Princeton HealthCare System. We’ve done sections of the residency program at other schools — including personal and medical safety — but this is the first time that we’ve come together and grouped them all in a two-week session as a residency program for a school, she said.
”It’s a wonderful opportunity to start with the children at a young age,” said Ms. Millar.
”They’re very excited about it, and they understand that they’re learning a life skill while they’re there,” said Ms. Kosek. “They’ve been very attentive, very cooperative.”
After the completion of the program, Princeton HealthCare System will also offer radKIDS, an additional after-school program, in February. It’s the first time Littlebrook students will have the chance to participate in this five-day national enrichment program designed to provide children with hope, options and practical skills to avoid and, if necessary, escape violence and abuse.
The radKIDS session, a portion of which was included in the daytime program, gives kids a realistic defense against abduction, the self-realization that the individual has personal power, said Ms. Kosek.
”There’s a lot of power in your voice,” she said.

