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School uses Valentine's Day to teach about breast cancer
By Melissa Matchak
After this Valentine's Day, Feb. 14 will hold a new meaning for the students at Presentation High School. This year, for the first time, students at the all-girl school will spend the day learning about breast cancer.
School spokeswoman Diane Gatto said the day's entire curriculum will be geared toward breast cancer education and awareness.
"Because we're a school of all young women, we decided we should raise awareness about breast cancer," Gatto said. "The girls often don't think it will happen to them, and we want to raise awareness."
Gatto said the event was planned for Valentine's Day because the school's community involvement group, which planned the event, wanted students to love themselves enough to be aware that cancer can happen to them.
Gatto said each department will focus on a different aspect of cancer education. She said the science department will teach students how cancer cells form and the vocabulary used in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The physical education department will teach students ways they can actively monitor their health and about the importance of mammograms. The social studies department will present statistics on breast cancer and how students can involve elected representatives to sponsor breast cancer legislation. The English department will host volunteers from the local American Cancer Society to teach students how to perform breast self-exams. The religion department will hold prayer services all day for those who need or wish to attend.
A general assembly will also be held, featuring a San Francisco news anchor speaking about her experiences as a cancer survivor, and a student speaking about her experience as a daughter of a breast cancer survivor.
Gatto said she believes this is the first time a high school will spend an entire school day educating its students about breast cancer.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
