Wellness Bit, Pieces, and Responses
We’ve been writing this blog for several years now and this is the first time we’ve gotten some good responses. So, for those who took the time to write thoughtful responses, I would like to thank you. First, I would like to address several of the responses and then I would like to share information from the Wellness Advisory Board.
We did some research on how snacks would improve ISTEP scores. We found nothing. We did find that insuring that students ate a good breakfast was very important to their success. I would like to applaud Webster’s PTO for providing breakfast for all students during ISTEP week. We feel fortunate to serve breakfast in all of our schools and hope in the future that the school, PTO’s, and parents can all partner to insure that our children eat a good breakfast, either at home or at school.
I do have to apologize for one of the statements I made in my last post. After the post I got a call from one of our kitchen workers. She said that during the first week of school she did go through a student’s lunch and talk to him about the drink he had in his lunch. So, to the parent who wrote that response, please accept my apology. I will do everything in my power to insure that something like that doesn’t happen again.
There are no pop and candy machines in the elementary schools with the exception of the staff lounges. The pop and candy machines at the junior high contain 50% “Better Choice” items and are turned off thirty minutes before school starts through thirty minutes after school ends. The pop and candy machines at the high school also contain at least 50% “Better Choice” items. The “Better Choice” items can be sold until school starts and then after school ends. The machines that do not contain “Better Choice” items have to be turned off thirty minutes before school starts through thirty minutes after school ends. It has taken a while for the companies to comply with our policy because they had to retrofit their machines with times and / or key switches.
When the high school’s cafeteria was renovated, the Red Rock Café took the place of the salad bar. The Red Rock Café serves subs, salads, fruit, hot and cold sandwiches, grab-n-go lunches and a variety of “Better Choice” ala carte items. If we can insure an appropriate seat time during lunch periods at the high school, we may see the return of soup.
Our lunches have to meet the requirements of the Federal Hot Lunch Program including a caloric limit of 700 – 800 per lunch. We have not changed the portion sizes of lunches at the high school or any other school for that matter. Two weeks ago we did ask students who wanted a double lunch to eat their first lunch, and then get in line again to buy a second lunch. This was to insure that all students standing in line were able to get appropriate seat time for eating their lunch. We have observed the lunch period several times over the last two weeks. Our students are getting through much faster now and for those who want additional food, they have plenty of time to get a second lunch.
Based upon our consultations with doctors and nutritionists, we are confident that we are on the right track. The school’s wellness mission should be to educate students about good nutrition and exercise. Our policies should reflect that mission. Then, the choices students make outside of the school day should reflect what they’ve learned in school and at home.
Our Wellness Advisory Board met October 3, 2006 to organize the Wellness Summit to be held on October 27, 2006. During the summit we will focus on the following:
1. Wellness Education for students, staff, and parents
a. Aligned Curricula in health, PE, and FACS
b. K-12 Nutritional Unit
c. Parent Education
2. Wellness Program for Staff Members
3. Breakfast and Snacks in Elementary Schools (ISTEP)
4. Celebration Guidelines
5. Daily Physical Education for Students
6. Measurable Wellness Objectives
In addition, we plan to hold educational meetings this year where doctors and nutritionists can talk with teachers and parents about health concerns linked to nutrition and exercise. We also plan to hold open forums where parents and teachers can express their opinions concerning nutrition and exercise at the school. Until then, I invite you to talk to a member of the Wellness Advisory Board if you have questions or comments. The advisory board is made up of the following:
Community Representatives Karen Richey, Purdue Extension
Lisa Jones, Holm Medical Group
Parents
Lisa Poczik, Elementary Parent
Val Carlberg, Secondary Parent
OtherKelly Skirvin, SJMC Nurse
Frank Brubaker, PCSC Board
Gloria Burnam, PCSC Food Services
Eleanor Danielson, Dietician
Administrators
Dan Tyree, Chair
Jeni Hirschy, Assistant Principal
StudentsBrendan Fox, Senior
Rebecca Moberly, Sophomore
PCSC Staff MembersAimee Portteus, Secondary
Alyssa VanVactor, Elementary
