Extracurricular inactivity

Cara Hacht knows stress when she sees it, and the chiropractic practitioner knows the effects it can have on the body.

As a member of the Longleaf Elementary School PTA, Hacht appreciates the work teachers and other educational workers do, and the tension that builds in them, the price of caring about one's work.

"The teachers have to work so hard, and they've had so many cutbacks," Hacht said.

It used to be principals could stage little pick-me-up events, but not these days. So Hacht decided to take up the slack when it came to easing the tension. On a recent Friday, after the last bell had rung, she invited the staff from Longleaf and Cotee River elementary schools to her clinic, A Family Affair Chiropractic Center, 6650 Rowan Road, for a couple of hours of intensive relaxation and pampering.

"We often forget about the givers in this world," the event flier said, "so to those who give to our most special assets, our children, we thank you!"

That pretty much explains it, said Pattie Barrett, a registered chiropractic assistant and Hacht's office manager. Barrett helped organize the event.

"People don't go around saying thank you enough," Barrett said. "We just think that's an important thing."

It's an important part of the way Hacht works with patients, Barrett said.

"We're kind of a different office here," Barrett said. "We concentrate on people and how they feel. Dr. Cara is very well-known for listening to her patients. Unfortunately, a lot of doctors don't do that. We treat the patients like family."

First, however, Hacht and Barrett had to find other local businesses willing to make a contribution to the day of pampering idea. As it turned out, that was no problem at all.

"I was actually surprised, they were all onboard, and generously, both with their time and the goods and services they were donating," Hacht said.

Several businesses contributed with time, services and products for the event and the goody bags the teachers got to take home with them.

Massage of Trinity, Edge Nail Systems and Healing Hands Therapy all showed up and offered direct pampering, including massages, manicures, pedicures, paraffin wax treatments, buff and polishing and therapeutic foot scrubs.

Once properly relaxed, the guests could go outside for a late afternoon snack, the coffee and pastries provided by Town Ground Espresso Cafe.

The gift bags included coupons for dry cleaning from Longleaf Cleaners, free haircuts at Salon Tres and a free month's membership at Curves in New Port Richey. The gift bags also included scented candles, courtesy of Back Home Imports.

Hacht said she timed the event for the conclusion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, when she figured it would be most needed.

Actually, the FCAT wasn't that stressful at Cotee River Elementary, Principal Barbara Kleinsorge said. But as hard as they work and as emotionally invested as teachers are in their work, any time's the right time for a little pampering.

"Anything to help de-stress," she said. "It's just very nice to be appreciated."

A few days before the event, about 50 staff members from the two schools had RSVP'd, Barrett said. With the level of appreciation and the amount of community support this event drew with little effort, she said they just might put together events like this for other schools in the area.