National School Backpack Awareness DayCopy and Paste this letter into your word processor for editing and printing. AOTA School Backpack Awareness Day Community Toolkit [Print on school or facility letterhead or logo] Dear Parent or Guardian, Have you noticed how many books and other items your child carries to and from school everyday? There is an increasing body of research suggesting that the amount of weight being carried by children in their backpacks is a growing national health concern. The long-term impact of years of backpack use has yet to be determined. On September 19, [school/facility/classroom teacher name] is hosting School Backpack Awareness Day. This special event is one of many being held around the country to help educate children, parents, schools, and communities about the proper use of backpacks and the health risks of improper use. To illustrate how heavy children's backpacks are, and to call attention to the correct way to wear backpacks, we will be holding a "weigh-in" of [grade or age] students and their backpacks in the [morning, afternoon] from [__ to __ a.m./p.m.]. Parents are welcome to attend. Children's backpacks should contain what they normally do when carried to and from school, and should not be overloaded or unloaded for this event. Your child's participation is voluntary. Occupational therapists will be supervising the weighing. Basically, occupational therapy means helping people improve their ability to do everyday tasks. Occupational therapists work with children in every school district in the United States. Because a major purpose of School Backpack Awareness Day is to educate your community about the proper packing and wearing of backpacks, the event may include media coverage. Photographs of the event also may be taken. Please feel free to ask any questions. The event is being coordinated by [name, title, and affiliation], who can be reached at [phone number] or [email address]. If you agree to have your child participate in this event, please sign the consent form below and have your child [return it to his or her teacher by Monday, September 17/bring it to the event]. Thank you. My child has my permission to participate in the School Backpack Awareness Day educational weigh-in event on September 19. I also understand that my child's likeness may be captured in photographs or video recordings taken during the event. These pictures or videos will be used to illustrate print or broadcast stories about backpack awareness, for information or education purposes only. _________________________________
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