The team took the following actions to Create Awareness to All
Creating Awareness
Having fully understood the problem, we felt that it is important for us to create awareness of this matter to everyone.
The following awareness programs were done by us with the help of the school :-
1. Awareness to Parents during the Parent Teacher Association.
"Far too often parents dismiss back and spine injuries from over weight back packs as growing pains," Dr. Heather McLeod, President of the British Colombia Chiropractic Association.
We felt that making parents aware of this issue was the most important thing.
A presentation was done by us at the annual Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) meeting on 23th Feb 2013. We are very grateful to our headmaster, En Azahari for granting the time.
CLICK on file below to download the full presentation made at the PTA meeting;
The following awareness programs were done by us with the help of the school :-
1. Awareness to Parents during the Parent Teacher Association.
"Far too often parents dismiss back and spine injuries from over weight back packs as growing pains," Dr. Heather McLeod, President of the British Colombia Chiropractic Association.
We felt that making parents aware of this issue was the most important thing.
A presentation was done by us at the annual Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) meeting on 23th Feb 2013. We are very grateful to our headmaster, En Azahari for granting the time.
CLICK on file below to download the full presentation made at the PTA meeting;
| pta.pptx |
- We also conducted a live demo of a child carrying a normal weight bag and then carrying a heavy bag.
- We highlighted the impact caused on the backbone of the child.
- We also distributed Feedback forms for parents to fill.
Below is the video of Arief, Natalie and Nadzmi doing the presentation to the PTA, together with the live demo done by one of our schoolmate carrying a light bag and then a heavy bag, to show the effect on the back bone.
The PTA members watching the presentation
Here is the feedback of most parents after the PTA
We also advised parents on the type of bags to be purchased for their kids. We told them not to purchase bags based on their kids' liking or based on the price only.
"Just like kids, backpacks come in all types of sizes and fashions, but don't be
fooled by the biggest and cheapest pack. Function, form, and comfort take
precedence over fashion."
Dr. Don Nixdorf, Executive Director of the BC Chiropractic Association
2 . Awareness to Students
Next, to make the students aware, we launched the following campaigns in the school:
These campaigns was launched by by the team with help of teachers.
Below are pictures of our team members making posters on the campaigns to be placed at various places in the school.
"Just like kids, backpacks come in all types of sizes and fashions, but don't be
fooled by the biggest and cheapest pack. Function, form, and comfort take
precedence over fashion."
Dr. Don Nixdorf, Executive Director of the BC Chiropractic Association
2 . Awareness to Students
Next, to make the students aware, we launched the following campaigns in the school:
- Campaign on importance of following the time tables
- Campaign on usage of school lockers
- Campaign on proper usage of bag straps and how to carry bag properly
- Campaign for type of bags to be bought in future.
- Demo on method of arranging books in a bag
These campaigns was launched by by the team with help of teachers.
Below are pictures of our team members making posters on the campaigns to be placed at various places in the school.
Below are the posters which we put up on various places for our campaigns
Demo on method of arranging books in the bags.
We conducted live demos in each classes on how should the contents be placed in the school bag.
Based on our research, the heavier and thicker books should be placed first, followed by the lighter ones. This helps to maintain the posture straight when carrying the school bag.
We conducted live demos in each classes on how should the contents be placed in the school bag.
Based on our research, the heavier and thicker books should be placed first, followed by the lighter ones. This helps to maintain the posture straight when carrying the school bag.
"Pack the heaviest items so they are closest to the child's back. If the heaviest items are packed further away, this throws out the child's center of gravity and causes unnecessary back strain"
Dr Vivek Sharma, Consultant Child Specialist, India
3. Awareness to school's Admin staff
Further, the team also requested the school's admin staff to :
To ensure the above, we also put up notices at the school notice board for everyone to view.
Below are pictures of the notices placed in the PTA Bulletin board and also the General Notice board. (click on picture to expand)
Dr Vivek Sharma, Consultant Child Specialist, India
3. Awareness to school's Admin staff
Further, the team also requested the school's admin staff to :
- inform parents of new students on the importance of this matter when they come for enrolment
- advise new parents to purchase light bags
- inform new parents to see timetable on website frequently
- identify students carrying heavy bags and send for counseling and advise parents
To ensure the above, we also put up notices at the school notice board for everyone to view.
Below are pictures of the notices placed in the PTA Bulletin board and also the General Notice board. (click on picture to expand)
