Health issues in South Tahoe

unpublished oct. tahoe mt. news article

By Kathryn Reed

Silent witnesses. They are the victims of domestic violence.
Last October, ten life-size figures filled the front lawn of the South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center. They represent the women killed in domestic violence incidents between Placerville and Reno.
This year figures will move throughout South Lake Tahoe in order to reach more people. Another silent witness will join the women; a little figure to symbolize the 2-year-old Shingle Spring toddler who was killed in the last year.
The point of the figures is to look at the empty space of the outlined “person” to realize domestic violence won and humanity lost. Plaques explain who the person was. In essence, it is giving them a voice even though the heinous crime silenced them.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.
In other health related news:
El Dorado County Health Department employees will be at South Tahoe Middle School this month to administer a slew of vaccinations to sixth-graders. Seventh- or eighth-grader who missed out in past years can join in. Parental permission is necessary for all grades.
The department will be at STHS two days a week this school year – mostly focusing on drug and alcohol education.
Sixth-graders will also participate in Kids’ Day this month. Much of the emphasis is on self-esteem, bullying and setting boundaries. “That’s a putdown” can be heard in the halls this year when someone says something offensive – an indication of lessons learned last year in how to deal with unwanted comments.
Lake Tahoe Unified’s Health Committee is trying to figure out what New Conservatory Theater production to bring to town for middle and high school students. “Outspoken” – a play about many aspects of teen life – was nixed because it would interfere with year-end standardized testing.
The Health Committee needs members. Call (530) 541-2850, ext. 254 for info.
Choices for Children is offering subsidized child care to qualifying parents. Details are at (530) 541-5848.
Choices for Children, First 5 El Dorado and Lake Tahoe Collaborative are bringing back Day of the Young Child, which has not occurred for the past two years. Interested in participating? Then call (530) 541-5848.
Adult volunteers are needed for Challenge Day – Nov. 19 for STHS and Nov. 20 for STMS. Email lhuard@ltusd.org for details. From a Tahoe Mountain News story earlier this year about Challenge Day, “It showed everyone that individually each person has the power to change – to change how they treat others and how they are treated.”