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COLUMBUS - Ever wondered how to make positive changes in your child’s school environment?
How to advocate for a school to serve healthy snacks and provide physical activity requirements? Now is your chance
to be a parent representative and community advocate on the wellness council at your local school.
Students are taught in classrooms about good nutrition and the value of healthy food choices. However,
many times foods served in school vending machines and at classroom parties are low in nutrients and high in calories.
This sends a mixed message to children – that good nutrition is just an academic exercise that is not
supported by school administration and is not important to their health or education.
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Obesity rates among children and adolescents are sky-rocketing. Rates have doubled among children and tripled among
teens since 1990. The health consequences of this are serious. Schools can provide a positive environment for children
to learn about healthy lifestyle habits and provide healthy nutritious foods. Research shows that children who
receive good nutrition and are physically active learn more in school.
To help create environment change at the local school level, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization
Act was signed into law in June 2004, making it mandatory for school districts participating in the National School
Lunch Program to create a local wellness policy by June 2006. These wellness policies will give parents, students,
school nutrition representatives, school board members, school administrators, and the general public the opportunity
to formulate local policies that are tailored to the specific needs of the school and community. National PTA is
committed to this issue and continues to work with lawmakers to improve children’s health and nutrition.
In order for a school to create an effective wellness policy, a wellness council needs to be established.
The federal legislation states that this process must involve a parent from the community. This is your chance
to get involved!
There are several items each school must address in their wellness policy, but it must include the following:
- nutrition guidelines for all foods available on each school campus during the school day
- goals for nutrition education and physical activity
- involve parents and students in the development of the school wellness policy
Here in Ohio there are over 30 organizations working to help create healthier school environments
and are members of the Ohio Action for Healthy
Kids initiative. 10 regional teams around the state are working on the following goals: expanding school breakfast
programs, providing nutritious foods offered during the school day and expanding physical activity opportunities.
So how can you help? Call the school principal and inquire if the school has a wellness council.
If yes, ask to attend the next meeting since parents are required to be part of the team. If no, ask what the school’s
next steps are for creating a council and ask to be involved. Visit the school during the day and observe foods
being served at lunch and the contents of the vending machines. Ask about physical activity requirements and if
children have the opportunity to have recess each day.
Take small steps! When working with schools, change takes time. Start with creating healthy guidelines
for classroom parties. Rather than celebrating birthdays with cake and cookies, introduce fruit and vegetable trays
to children. Ask what is being sold as school fundraisers and offer healthy alternatives (see box). Look at the
school vending machines and ask if healthier alternatives can be sold.
Children need access to healthy food choices and time to expend energy during the school day. Parents
and the community can collaborate with schools and help to create a positive learning environment for our children.
If you have any questions about how to work with your local school, please contact me and we can
work together to provide healthy resources for Ohio’s children.
| Healthy Alternatives to school Fundraisers: |
- Fruit baskets
- Pizza Kits
- Flowers
- Gift Certificates to Local gym
- Healthy Cookbooks
- Frisbees
- Jump Ropes
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| Healthy Ideas for School and Classroom Parties |
- Fruit & Cheese Kabobs
- Yogurt Smoothies
- Vegetable Trays
- Low-fat Pudding
- 100% Fruit Snacks
- Angel Food Cake with Fruit
- Pretzels
- Animal Crackers
- Water/Milk/100% Fruit Juice
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