By

Julie Robinson,   Sheridan Hills Chr Sch

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Access to Healthy Foods

Prior to the 2015-2016 school year, breakfast was nonexistent and lunch consisted of frozen lunch items. We introduced the Fuel Up to Play 60 program to Sheridan Hills in August and I approached the school's lunch staff to see if they could help with the nutrition aspect. The cafeteria manager was so excited because she wanted to improve the program and thought this was a good way to initiate a change. For the first few months they changed the school lunch menu. They went from frozen and fried meals to fresh and grilled meals. Salads and wraps became a daily option. Right around semester exams, when students were taking a break during testing, they added healthy snack options. Oranges, bananas and yogurt were being sold out every day that they decided to add it to their daily snack options. In January, they decided to add breakfast options. The high school students partnered with the cafeteria staff and offered grab and go breakfast to the elementary and middle school students. Sheridan Hills really went through a nutrition transformation this year!

How did you accomplish your goals?

We accomplished our goal by partnering with the cafeteria staff, PTF and by educating our students on making healthy food choices.

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

At first the students were our biggest setback. They were used to the old lunches and they were not used to having breakfast, so they continued not to eat! Once we educated them and allowed them to have a voice in the options, this struggle ceased. In fact now more students eat school lunch and participate in the breakfast program.

What improvements have you seen at your school?

Overall, our school has become a healthier school. Students are more health conscious and making healthier choices. A middle school student recently told me she has lost 15lbs in the past couple of months, all because of the healthy food options at school and because of the increase of physical activity!