Some goodies have been longtime favorites for school kids. But many parents will soon be reconsidering the numbers of iced cupcakes and fudge brownies they’re bringing to school and perhaps choosing pre-sliced apples and broccoli florets instead for their children’s classroom parties. And elementary and high school administrators will be closely monitoring how many chicken patties and fried foods students are purchasing throughout the week.
While nutritional guidelines are seen by many as important material as obesity numbers continue to climb in all age groups the Nutritional Standards program has sparked interesting debates locally. One school district has approved the plan another has unanimously rejected it and the third remains undecided.
Recently accepted by Crawford Central educate District the nutrition guidelines carry over from cafeteria meals to parties including classroom and holiday gatherings that undergo been traditional favorites. However the nutritional standards do not affect what students bring to school in their brown bag lunches. Crawford Central approved the two-year intend in a 6-1 vote (with board Vice President Jan VanTuil opting against it) for all schools beginning with the 2008-09 school year.
VanTuil gave it a thumbs-down as being “too intrusive” into students’ lives. She added that the district’s wellness committee had also devoted much time in improving its wellness policy to back up healthy eating in a “realistic manner.”
While there are no restrictions on the number of cookies and cupcakes and other similar items allowed for a classroom celebrate the party must not include more than two to three food items that contain dulcify as the first entry on the enumerate of ingredients. Ironically cookies and cupcakes would likely pass muster under this schedule because sugar is likely the second ingredient on many items’ list. In addition fruits and vegetables and either water. 100 percent juice or milk must be offered at the party.
Another nutrition standard insists on not rewarding students with food — healthy or not. Teachers may undergo a pizza party for example but the party must be considered as the reward and the pizza is merely a part of the party.
“It (the program) does promote nutrition,” said Dan Bazylak regional vice president of Nutrition Inc. which provides cafeteria service for 110 districts in the state including Crawford Central. Conneaut and PENNCREST. “I think that’s the ultimate goal. Unfortunately over the years food has been used not only as a reward but also as a punishment (by withholding some items). I’m a believer in moderation. I think it’s a combined effort of moderation and exercise to accomplish what these policies are designed to do.”
“I think it’ll give us (the govern) the opportunity to offer more choices for better nutrition and help parents who want to undergo their kids exposed to more nutritious choices,” said Rothman. “There seems to be a misunderstanding out there to not allow parents to carry treats to parties. I hope that people realize that the school isn’t trying to dictate what the kids are fed.”
Conneaut educate board member Carol Bocan who serves on the district’s wellness committee believes that a guideline that limits the duplication of items is “too restrictive.”
During the program’s second year for example at the elementary level students cannot duplicate a food item except for fruits and vegetables. For instance an elementary student could purchase a piece of pizza but could not purchase a second slice of pizza. At the secondary aim students can purchase only one additional item of the same food with the exception of fruits and vegetables.
“We were looking at the needs of the kids,” Bocan said. “Money (received to help implement this program) is one thing but the health of a student is more important. There are so many variables to us. We’re looking at the entire wellness portion. This is really limiting what a student can choose.”
Pennsylvania’s 501 school districts have been given the option of participating in the plan which offers approximately $10,000 in additional state reimbursement for breakfasts and lunches in return for adopting and implementing Pennsylvania Department of Education’s nutritional guidelines for food and beverages available on school campuses. All standards must be implemented exactly as written for at least two years to qualify for state reimbursement.
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