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Healthy School Task Force Cafeteria Update:

Did you know?

Jenkins School is continually making strides towards a healthier school. In addition to the food items listed on the lunch menu, our cafeteria staff is working to add healthy options at lunchtime. During the month of September the following choices were offered:

-fresh green grapes
-granny smith apples
-vegetarian and New England baked beans
-vegetable, pineapple, and chicken toppings for pizza -homemade vegetable soup with herbs and kale from our own garden -low sodium corn -frozen yogurt

Prepared August 2010

Rights Reserved Scituate Public Schools

JENKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Birthday, Holiday Celebrations, Fundraising & Classroom Rewards

A Guide For Parents & Staff


Happy, Healthy Students Ready To Learn!


Re-energize with nutritious food options

Recognize students with non-food alternatives

Reward students with movement or special activities

Reduce the size of treats with little nutritional value


 

Healthy Task Force Vision Statement


We are committed to working as a team to promote academic excellence and happy children by creating a healthier learning environment at school and at home.

We are dedicated to promoting the benefits of nutrition education, physical activity, and healthy food choices as a way of life. We encourage each other to consider healthier options during meals, snacks, special events, and celebrations.

NON-FOOD WAYS A TEACHER
MAY RECOGNIZE A STUDENT ON
THEIR BIRTHDAY


  • Make a sign, sash, crown, button or badge for the birthday child.

  • Let the birthday child be the teacher’s assistant for the day; they can do special tasks like make deliveries to the office or be the line leader.

  • Let the birthday child choose an activity, craft or game.

  • Allow the child a trip to the treasure box
    (parents can supply it with pencils, erasers, stickers, bookmarks, small party trinkets,
    books, note pads, etc.).

  • Allow the child to pick a book or short story for the class to read.

  • Donate a favorite book to the school’s library.

  • Donate playground/physical activity equipment to the class

  • Other creative non-food related ideas …









RESOURCES UTILIZED TO ASSIST CREATING THIS DOCUMENT


Model School Wellness Policies


National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity

  • The National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity recommends that schools should limit celebrations that involve food during the school day to no more than oneparty per class per month and should include no more than onejunk food or beverage.


Center for Science in the Public Interest









JENKINS HEALTHY SCHOOL TASK FORCE

  • Parents – Katie Friedel, Pam Doyle, Nancie Peters, Kelly Ridley, Lisa Thornton, Heidi Blanchard, Allison Richman, Susan Smith, Andy Marhoffer, Annemarie Galvin

  • Teachers – Mary Hallin, Cindia Norton, Kevin Greer

  • Susan Aguilar – Cafeteria Manager

  • Greg Ranieri – Health & Wellness Chair

  • Jennifer Arnold – Principal

  • Barbara Yuknis – School Nurse

CLASSROOM BIRTHDAY, HOLIDAY,

SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS

TASK FORCE GUIDING PRINCIPLES


  • Students– There are a growing number of students in our population that have food allergies, diabetes, medical or healthy weight concerns.


  • Parents– With birthday, holidays and other school celebrations it is not unreasonable for students to be presented with food options with little to no nutritional value approximately 35 or more times per year without a parent’s prior knowledge or consent.


  • Teachers– Faculty have requested guidance to help control the amount and content of items being sent into their classrooms.


  • Nursing Staff– Screening food items for students with life-threatening food allergies and diet related medical conditions is an extremely challenging task.


  • School District– Districts are mandated by the federal government to implement a comprehensive and considerate Wellness Policy to ensure the overall health and wellbeing of our students is being considered during the decision-making process.







NON-FOOD RELATED FUNDRASING IDEAS

  • Sales - Bottled water, calendars, stationary, greeting cards, fruit, holiday decoration/ornaments, jewelry, clothing, first aid kits, personal care products, plants, flowers, spices, etc.

  • Programs - Store/restaurant discount cards, book fairs, cookbook fundraising, and recycling of clothing, cell phones, printer cartridges, etc.

  • Events - Car washes, walk-a-thons, bowl-a-thons, golf tournaments, sporting events, raffles, Wii video game tournaments, yard sales, karaoke nights, etc.

  • Other creative fundraising ideas …



Helpful Resources –


ENCOURAGEMENT/RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

  • Non-food related student rewards for reinforcement of positive behavior and academic performance –

  • To promote nutritious snack decisions by students on a daily basis, teachers are encouraged create Healthy Snack Race Chartswhich tracks and celebrates nutritious snack choices by students.

  • Utilize the Seasonal Activities & Healthy Party Snacksuggestions which are enclosed to encourage more nutritious eating and physical activity with your students.

GENERAL NON-FOOD IDEAS FOR SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS / HOLIDAY PARTIES


  • Have a scavenger hunt for items or information in the classroom or around the school. Have children search for items related to the party’s theme.

  • Provide an extra physical education class or additional recess.

  • Set up craft stations around the room and play festive music.

  • Plan special party games.

  • Read a book or short story related to the celebration’s theme.

  • Provide “free choice” activity time at the end of the day.

  • Allow children a trip to the treasure box (parents can supply it with pencils, erasers, stickers, bookmarks, small party trinkets, books, note pads, etc.).

  • Allow the class to pick a book and ask the principal or parent to come read it.

  • Allow the class to pick a physical activity and ask the principal to play it with them.

  • Other creative non-food related ideas …









APRIL / MAY


SPRING PARTY

  • Plan a nature walk to see plants
    re-awakening in the spring weather.

  • Decorate plastic eggs and put a physical activity messages on the inside (e.g. hop on one leg 5 times or do 6 jumping jacks). Have an egg hunt and kids can act on the messages.

  • Decorate flower pots for parents and plant a flower or seed.

  • Have parents donate plants that children can plant in the school yard or other community site.

Healthier Party Snacks:

  • Low-fat carrot muffins

  • Carrots with hummus

  • Berries with Cool Whip

  • Fruit smoothies


JUNE


With the end of school comes
numerous celebrations. Keep
focus away from food and plan
activities to highlight the end of the
school year and the coming summer.

  • Have a tasting party with star fruit, papaya, mango, kiwi, guava, and/or pineapple.

  • Visit a local farm, garden or orchard to learn about fruits and vegetables that grow in our area.

  • Have students make a collage or write a story about what they plan to do over the summer.

  • Have students write stories or put together items that remind them of the past school year and take them home.

  • Plan an outdoor game/activity to enjoy the warmer weather.


FEBRUARY


VALENTINE’S DAY

  • Have students write down one positive comment about each classmate (e.g. you are a good friend, you have a nice smile, and pass them out).

  • Create a Valentine’s Day card holder.


Healthier Party Snacks:

  • Have cherry tomatoes and
    red peppers served
    with hummus

  • Serve strawberries,
    raspberries, diced cranberries,
    red grapes, pomegranate or apple slices






MARCH


ST. PATRICK’S DAY

  • Teach an Irish step dance.

  • Decorate the room with
    shamrocks made from construction paper.

  • Plan a St. Paddy’s day scavenger hunt that leads to a pot of gold filled with treasures such as markers, pens, pencils, erasers, etc.

  • Read about Irish history or a story about St. Patrick.


Healthier Party Snacks:

  • Serve kiwi (cut in half and serve with a spoon)

  • Have cucumbers, celery sticks, broccoli, sugar snap peas, green beans, or green peppers with hummus

  • Serve whole grain tortilla chips with guacamole

  • Try edamame. It is fun to eat and easy to serve.



FRUITS, VEGETABLES, PROTEINS & GRAINS

The Building Blocks of Healthy Bodies


Offer a Fruit or Vegetable Option Every Day

FRUITS

  • Apples / Bananas

  • Berries / Grapes

  • Oranges / Clementines

  • Peaches / Apricots / Plums

  • Melon Chunks (all kinds)

  • Dried Apple Rings, Banana Chips, Berries, Raisins, etc.

Fruit can be combined in a bowl for fruit salad or speared onto a stick for kabobs. If a blender is available, consider smoothies!

Avoid:Fruit snacks, fruit leather, roll-ups, fruit chews or other synthetic “fruit”

VEGETABLES

  • Cucumber Slices

  • Carrot Sticks

  • Colored Pepper Slices

  • Sugar Snap Peas

  • Raw Broccoli & Cauliflower

  • Zucchini & Yellow
    Squash Spears

  • Pre-Packed Salad

Vegetables are fun with a dipping sauce. A light ranch dressing, hummus or plain Greek yogurt can be a tasty addition.

Avoid:French fries, fried vegetables

Offer a Protein or Grain Option Every Day

PROTEIN

  • Cheese

  • Hard Boiled Eggs

  • Yogurt

  • Hummus

  • Canned Tuna or Chicken

  • Beans

  • Nuts: Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews, Peanuts, etc. **

Avoid:Nut butter with “partially hydrogenated” on the nutrient label.

** Nut allergies are a serious thing! Make sure no one is allergic before serving ANY product with nuts. Someone’s life may depend on it.

GRAINS

  • Pretzels / Low-Fat Popcorn

  • Whole Grain Crackers

  • Graham or Animal Crackers

  • Some Dry Cereal / Cereal Bars

  • 100% Whole Wheat
    English Muffins

  • Rice Cakes

  • Granola

Avoid:Products that list “hydrogenated” oils or “trans” fats on the nutrient label.

Note:Label reading is important because grains can be a source for unhealthy fats.

Resources: www.MyPyramid.gov &

Harvard School of Public Health, Prevention Research Center

SEASONAL ACTIVITIES &
HEALTHY PAR
TY SNACKS


SEPTEMBER


Set the right tone for this year’s parties.

Keep in mind these healthy party tips:

(1) Celebrate without food, shift the focus from food to fun

(2) Limit a party to have no more than one junk-food item.

(3) Create a healthy snack list and have parents sign-up to bring in an item from the list.

(4) Communicate the date of any food related celebration to families and staff in advance allowing for all stakeholders in our children’s wellbeing to plan accordingly if individual accommodations are needed for certain students.



OCTOBER


HALLOWEEN

Kids will get plenty of candy trick-or-treating.
Try to keep the focus on fun at school.

  • Have a parade or costume contest.

  • Instead of candy, try small toys like temporary tattoos, stickers, spooky plastic rings or false teeth.

  • Decorate a pillowcase/bag for trick-or-treating at home.


Healthier Party Snacks:

  • Apples with caramel/yogurt dip

  • Roasted pumpkin seeds

  • Carrots with low-fat ranch dressing

  • Oranges, cantaloupe, mangos, or dried peaches

  • Use Halloween cookie cutter to make sandwiches or fruit look frightfully delicious!

NOVEMBER


THANKSGIVING

  • Have students write or draw a picture about what they are thankful for and share it with the class.

  • Create a garland of gratitude. Cut leaf shapes out of construction paper then crinkle them up to create the lines if a leaf.

  • Do a service project as a class field trip.

Healthier Party Snacks:

  • Turkey roll ups

  • Spread apple butter on whole grain
    English muffins or graham crackers

  • Serve warm apple cider

  • Organic blue corn
    chips and salsa



DECEMBER / JANUARY


WINTER HOLIDAYS

  • Have students make holiday
    cards for nursing home residents.

  • Go caroling and sing for other
    classes or at a senior center.

  • Decorate the classroom with a winter theme.

  • Collect personal care products and prepare kits for a homeless shelter.

  • Make snow globes out of glass jars and white glitter. Seal lid with super glue.

Healthier Party Snacks:

  • Hallow out red and green peppers and fill them with hummus or guacamole and serve with vegetables

  • Make fruit kabobs and alternate red & green grapes and/or red & green apples

  • Green beans, broccoli and tomatoes with a low fat dip



 
 
 
 
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