Mt. Loafer Healthy Classroom Challenge

Submitted by angela.killian on

This generation of students faces extraordinary health issues related to diet and exercise. Healthy students are better learners. As a result, the Nebo School District Student Wellness Policy, passed in 2008, created some guidelines for when foods and beverages are made available to students. The policy asks that the food and beverages be more nutritious and feature healthy choices. See: http://www.nebo.edu/pubpolicy/E/EFA.pdf

Here are some suggestions how parents can assist in helping out schools adopt healthier practices:

Consider non-food choices for classroom parties, presentations or celebrations

  • Non-food celebrations are enjoyed by students who are diabetic, suffer from allergies, or have been taught at home to avoid unhealthy food.
  • Non-food parties teach students wonderful ways of celebrating without “empty calorie” snacks. Kids love fun, constructive activities that promote health and creativity.
  • Non-food celebrations can include playing games, making crafts, or purchasing class books, hand sanitizer or sporting equipment. Contact your child’s teacher for ideas. 

Occasional use of empty calorie snacks

  • Empty calorie snacks are foods that have little nutritional value. These products contain primarily: refined grains (white flour), sugar, saturated and/or trans fats, and high fructose corn syrup.
  • The constant and repeated use of empty calorie products should be replaced by more progressive and healthier choices.
  • Communicate with the teacher and parent classroom volunteers to choose appropriate times and activities when empty calorie snacks might be served.
    Together, parents and Nebo School District can assist students to achieve and maintain good physical health as part of a child’s growth and education.