This article appeared in the Summer 2007 Tartan Report

Classroom parties limited, snacks banned under wellness guidelines

Over the past decade, studies have shown that children are exercising less and eating unhealthy food more.

With that in mind, Scotia-Glenville will take several measures to make children healthier – at least while they are at school – beginning this fall.

“One has only to read about the increase in childhood obesity and the health problems caused by it, and the growing number of health allergies, to see why we are doing this,” said Superintendent Susan Swartz.

She noted that the state is expected to mandate comprehensive guidelines relating to food in schools in 2008.

Swartz said the guidelines do not address what a child brings to school for lunch, only what is purchased at school and what is shared with others.

The new wellness guidelines, developed over the past year by a committee of teachers, parents, students and administrators, change some of the rules:

• Classroom celebrations involving food will be limited to two times per month.

• Only commercially pre-packaged and store-bought goods that have ingredient labels should be used.

• The district bans the use of food/candy as a “reward.”

• Vending machines accessible to students will offer only 100% fruit or vegetable juice, water, or unsweetened tea.

• Snack machines accessible to students must have at least 50% healthy choices and may not have candy.

• Fund-raising involving food may only take place after school.

• School-sponsored groups (clubs, PTA, booster clubs, etc.) are prohibited from selling candy, cookie dough, soda, fruit drinks (less than 100% juice) or home baked goods for their fund-raising activities, effective March 2008.

• Whole milk in the lunch program will be eliminated. The district food service vendor will provide only 100% juice, low fat and skim milk, unsweetened tea and water.

More physical education time
At the same time, the 2007-08 budget included funding to add one day of physical education for students in grades 4 and 5. Plans are to increase the physical education time for younger students in the 2008-09 budget. •