School gives access to teen health site

By Ryan Lewis
Staff Writer

Allegan High School students will have access to online information about health and wellness as soon as this spring, according to district officials.

Allegan school board members approved the recommendation of the Health Education Advisory Committee to pay for full student access to the Web site www.teenhealthandwellness.com.

The second reading of the approval followed its consideration in February, at which high school media specialist Karen Voigts praised the site for its accurate and reliable information about topics covering everything from nutrition, eating disorders, types of diseases, ways to deal with grief and loss, human physiology and reproductive health.

Because it reviews and makes recommendations on all reproductive health curriculum, the district’s Health Education Advisory Committee has given its approval of the site’s content.

An annual cost of $595 will make the site accessible to all high school students, including Alternative High School students. Students will be given passwords so they can access the site wherever there is Internet access.

Voigts introduced the site to high school staff Monday, March 17.

Parents will be informed about the site via the district’s “Parent Update” letter that is delivered from the high school principal’s office. Questions may be directed to Karen Voigts or to their building’s principal.

District officials had hoped to pay for some of the cost of the access with federal “Drug Free Schools” funds; they have since learned that will not be possible.

Members of the Health Education Advisory Committee have said they hope to extend the site’s access to middle school students, as well.

Ryan Lewis may be contacted at (269) 673-5534 or e-mailed at rmlewis@allegannews.com.