Guest speaker: Mary Humen, R.N.

December 4, 2008 -- Marion Graham Collegiate kindly offered alternate classroom space for our use as our usual space was unavailable the evening of Thursday, November 27th. UCC-SB used the opportunity to conduct an informational session on dental care and other health issues.

After dropping off their children with our capable child minders, approximately 25 beginner, intermediate and advanced students began the evening with a rousing charades activity that mimicked various health symptoms. This set the tone for the remainder of the evening and was followed with a presentation by our keynote speaker, Mary Humen.

Mary, a registered nurse and vice-president of Nightingale Nursing Group, spoke about public and dental health programs and services provided by the Saskatoon Health Region. She spoke in length about children’s programs including early childhood, fluoride programs, school programs and special needs. She distributed contact information on Saskatoon’s health centres, drop-in immunization clinics, maternal child services as well as an immunization schedule. UCC-SB translated a Saskatoon Health Region dental clinic flyer into Ukrainian and provided a list of Saskatoon doctors who are accepting new patients.

Above: An attentive group of ESL/EAL students listen to Mary's presentation. Right: Student down. Someone call 911!

Student activity: matching vocabulary with illustrations.

Mary’s presentation was followed by more ESL teacher-directed activities based on a “gambling with your health” theme. In one activity, students rolled the dice and matched the resulting vocabulary word or phrase with the correct illustration. This was followed by a health topics “bingo”.

Dental health educator, Cynthia Ostafie, works with the oral health program at Public Health Services, SHR. She provided educational materials for each student present including the handbook, “Bright Smiles for a Bright Future – a Parent’s Guide to Oral Health”. Each student went home with dental floss and a toothbrush. Children were not overlooked; each child received a storybook, colouring page, and a toothbrush.

UCC Saskatchewan Provincial Council is currently translating some of the above-mentioned health care brochures into Ukrainian.

Please call the UCC-SB office at 306-244-8227 for more information.