Team SISD employees and their families promoted wellness and healthy living in the community at the second annual Día De Los Muertos Health Expo and 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk on Nov. 2 at the Student Activities Complex (SAC).
Sponsored by Aetna, the family-friendly event attracted 90 participants who kicked off their Saturday morning with a brisk 5K run or a leisurely 1-mile walk around the SAC.
Among them was Kaitlin Cook, a single mom who is raising her two children to live healthy lifestyles. She said the run/walk was a great way for her family to exercise and have fun together.
“I think it's super important, especially with my daughter being a Pre-K student, setting that foundation and laying the message that a healthy lifestyle is super important,” Cook said. “I think it's awesome to have a district to support us in that.”
Celina Stiles, SISD interim chief human resources officer, said that the district organized various wellness activities for employees throughout the school year. However, this event served as an excellent opportunity to promote health within the community.
“We work really closely with Aetna,” Stiles said. “We have that relationship with them, and we just promote wellness. We have different activities throughout the school year (such as) lunch and learns. They go out to campuses, different activities, things like that that we try to do for the employees, and this is just a kind of extension of that to include the community.”
The free event included over 50 wellness exhibitors, live fitness classes, Kids Zone, flu shots, food trucks, music, raffles and giveaways, and much more.
Veronica Castro, a special education teacher at Loma Verde Elementary School, was one of the first participants to complete the 1-mile walk. Her son participated in the 5K run. Castro said she recently began walking every day to boost her physical activity. She is considering running the 5K next year.
“I love it,” Castro said. “I like that (the district) promotes health for employees and the whole family.”
Montwood High School sophomore Fernando Silva was the first runner to arrive at the SAC after finishing the 5K run. A member of the school’s cross-country team, Silva said events like the 5K helped him stay in shape now that the cross-country season has ended.
“It feels great,” Silva said after the race. "My family is really proud.”
SISD Día De Los Muertos Health Expo, 5K run/walk event photos