Planning for Your School Fair

Any elementary, middle, or high school in the state of Colorado (and bordering cities) may hold a fair. Youth groups or community clubs may also apply. In order to be accepted, each school or group is asked to adhere to the following guidelines:

Application Deadline

The initial deadline for interested schools is May 15th each year. Applications received after this date may be added to a waiting list.

Model Fair (September each year)

• An event to showcase new and pertinent activities available in the upcoming school year.
• May be attended by two students and one advisor.
• School must provide an idea for fair date (or month) at or before the Model Fair.

NOTE: If a school cannot attend the Model Fair, a proposed fair date must be submitted by the end of September, and the Activities Contract returned to the 9Health Fair office two months prior to fair date.

Prior to Training Date

• Plan for a 2-hour training session during school hours approximately one month prior to fair.
• School must turn in Contract for In the Classroom Interactive Displays and Activities two months prior to proposed fair date indicating which activities are being requested for fair.
• Advisor and student leaders should review the 9Health Fair manual (provided by 9Health Fair).
• Student leaders who attended the Model Fair should brief the remaining student leaders about the event, what they learned, and which activities they ordered.
• Must coordinate with education program manager to set up training date and time.

Training at Your School

• It is the advisor's responsibility to be present during the entire 2-hour training to maintain discipline in the classroom and to understand what plans and preparation are needed before the fair date.
• 15-25 motivated student leaders must attend and it's a good idea for some of them to take notes during the session (please limit number of students at training to 25 - if you need more to help run your fair, then allow us to train the smaller group and have those students train the rest at another time).
• The following must be provided:
  1. A room adequate for the number of people attending the training
  2. An outlet
  3. Chairs and table(s)
• 9Health Fair staff will bring activities and displays ordered, train students on use of equipment, and review health screening protocols.
• Blood pressure screening training requires repeated follow-up practice for students with a health care professional (only high schools may offer blood pressure screening).
• Bring 9Health Fair manuals, enthusiasm, creativity, and energy!

Before Fair

• Invite approved community organizations to student fair (use IEC Resource Guide in manual).
• Provide three to four practice sessions for student leaders.
• Work with school to decide number of participants attending fair.
  • Plan to keep number of participants per station between 6 and 10.
  • Allow participants to have 6 to 10 minutes at each station.
• Recruit medical professional(s) to assist students.
• Solicit food donations for volunteers and student leaders.
• Solicit prize donations for stations if desired.
• Create visual aids to accompany activities and displays.

Day of Fair

• Assign student "ambassadors" to welcome and direct volunteers.
• Provide adequate adult supervision.
• Have a professional attitude.
• Greet student participants and hand out health screening forms.
• Ensure that a nurse or doctor is available at the "Ask a Health Professional" station.
• Set aside at least 15 minutes at the end of the fair for cleaning and neatly packing up activities.

After Fair

• Complete the Student Leader and Advisor evaluations and submit to the education program at the 9Health Fair office. Please use the forms right out of the manual.
• Make an appointment to return all equipment to the 9Health Fair office. Plan on 10 to 30 minutes to check in materials. The more orderly and complete the returned activities, the shorter the check in will be.
• Return all equipment to the 9Health Fair office at 1139 Delaware Street in Denver (within 10 business days after the fair).
• Write thank you notes to volunteers and 9Health Fair In the Classroom sponsors as discussed at training.

In the Classroom Homepage