From remote learning help to healthy eating tips, Poe Center launches virtual programs for fall

The Poe Center for Health Education is launching a virtual program for families this fall with a series of workshops on puberty, bullying, substance use, nutrition, cooking and more.

All programs are live and interactive and are offered multiple times during the week and weekends to accommodate varying schedules. They'll use videos, guided discussions and interactive activities to address the various topics in a fun and educational way for both kids and parents.

I can tell you, from experience, that Girl Talk, the puberty program for moms and daughters which is offered as part of the series, is absolutely fantastic. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Poe Center's executive director says health education has never been more important than now as we grapple with the consequences of a global pandemic that has shuttered physical schools and sent kids online more than ever before for both learning and entertainment.

"The Poe Center wants to be a source of support for families. Since most schools are opening with some form of remote instruction, families are under a lot of pressure to help fill in any gaps. We want to help by making health education easily accessible," says Ann Rollins executive director of the Poe Center for Health Education. "We know that substance use rates have increased during the pandemic, and youth are spending a ton of time online which increases the potential for depression and cyberbullying. Plus families are looking for creative ways to make the quantity of family time quality family time. Health ed has never been more important. Building healthy habits is critical to protecting children and families against the spread of coronavirus, influenza, and other illnesses."

The first workshop is 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 29, via Zoom called Remote Learning the Healthy Way. It's best for parents of elementary and middle grades children.

Here's a description:

The Remote Learning program is free. Other programs in the series are $25 per family.