By

Kris Leonardo,   Heritage Cmty Charter School

Play:

Food: Waste Less and Enjoy — It's Good for All of Us!

Topics:

Access to Healthy Foods, Community Involvement, Student Leadership,  Teamwork

Tis the season for Idaho State Achievement Tests! It was our goal to encourage every 3rd through 8th grade student to eat a very healthy breakfast on testing days to provide them with the best opportunity for success. In addition to promoting healthy breakfasts, we received a generous donation from our local Neighborhood Walmart, who provided enough string cheese sticks for every single student who was testing. We believe that healthy meals and snacks translate into increased focus and brain power for our students. We are very grateful that we were able to provide a nutritious snack for our students during this important educational process.

How did students and adults work together as a team?

Our Principal, teachers and ISAT test administrator visited classrooms to speak with students about the importance of eating healthy and nutritious meals/snacks, not only during our testing period, but each and every day. We had Student Council members make daily announcements about choosing healthy foods. Students supported each other in their healthy food choices.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

We have “bragging boards” for students who make make healthy choices. Some students wrote, “I ate broccoli instead of goldfish crackers,” “I drank regular milk instead of chocolate milk,” "I ate my carrots instead of throwing them away," “I practiced riding my bike instead of watching TV,” “I played soccer instead of playing video games.” These “bragging boards” allow students to take pride in their choices and encourage others to do the same throughout the school years ahead.

What improvements have you seen at your school?

We have seen a noticeable increase in the support offered to each other from our students. Students are taking pride in their healthy choices and are encouraging one another to do the same. They are being mindful of wasting less food and choosing healthier options instead of less healthy choices.