Healthy School Environment
Healthy cooking-Since its conception 2 years ago 60 students have had the opportunity to attend weekly cooking classes in our after school program. We have also had visiting Chefs come to our school and teach. On these special occasions we have had 30 students from each grade level 3rd - 5th attend these classes. Students also deliver healthy samples of what they have prepared to students and staff in our school and explain what they have made and its health benefits. Student continue to enjoy attending these classes today.
Students grow an eat food from the gardens- A few years ago if you had asked our students what Swiss Chard was none of them would know , but now they ask how much more can we plant and when we can cook more. They know how to make Sweet Potato Chips as a healthy snack and continue to find wonderful ways to use Kale. Our Green Team is the core group that works out in the garden but all students have a opportunity to taste and sample the harvest and assist at times in the garden. We continue to plant spring and fall crops in our every growing garden space.
Students in a 1st grade class maintain several indoor plants in their classroom to increase their air quality...Students have been taught the importance of having plants in their space to purify the oxygen that they breath and take pride in maintaining them. The focus of having indoor plants started 2 years ago , and the 1st grade class is taught every year about the importance of plants.
Eating Healthy Food Choices Mural
25 students throughout several grades assisted in creating a Healthy Choice Eating Posters and Painted a large Healthy Eating mural in the cafeteria in the 2012 school year. The wall in the rear of our school cafeteria is home to our Healthy Eating Mural which promotes eating lots of Fruit, Vegetables , dairy and whole grain breads.
Jr. Coaches Playworks healthy activity assistants.
During the day older students in 5th grade work as Junior coaches during recess daily to assist younger students and lead them in healthy exercises and games. This started in 2011 with Playworks assistance and continues to this day, everyday at recess , before school and after school. We can notice the improvement in out students health from this program.