Middle schoolers embrace health
Nearly 400 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders from 15 schools across Boston and Cambridge began a recent morning quite differently than usual. They were at Harvard Medical School (HMS), running in place, doing jumping jacks, and twirling hula hoops. As Beyoncé sang from the speakers, residents from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown took to the stage to lead students in a “Get Moving and Get Healthy” warm-up. The students were there as part of the 11th annual celebration of Reflection in Action: Building Healthy Communities (RIA). The program works to expand middle school students’ knowledge of health and public health issues, recognize their growing roles as leaders in the community, and use the arts to express messages about health. RIA was conceived as an extension of the Harvard Medical School Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership Explorations program. It includes a citywide student competition in the written, visual, and performing arts, as...