Clarkstown Schools Recognized for Healthy Eating Initiatives

Five local schools were among 250 honored at this year’s National Healthy Schools Awards at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Leaders Summit.

“Childhood obesity can carry severe medical consequences for our kids, which is why I’m particularly excited about the accomplishments of these schools. With support from the Alliance, they have inspired staff and students to eat healthier foods and be more physically active,” said Dr. Elliott Antman, president of the American Heart Association, which co-founded the Alliance for a Healthier Generation with the Clinton Foundation.

Here’s what the AHG had to say about these schools:

CLARKSTOWN SOUTH:

The school wellness council at Clarkstown South High School has worked hard to build a healthier environment for students and staff. Members of the council have offered opportunities for students to get moving both inside and outside of school by organizing a 5K race and a hike up a local mountain. A health and wellness fair offered kids the chance to participate in yoga and other exercises in addition to tasting new foods at healthy cooking demonstrations. “I am very proud of what the Wellness Committee has accomplished this year, and am excited to be a part of it. We strive each year to make our school community more educated and active as part of having a wellness mentality within our school building,” said Principal Debra Tarantino.

FELIX FESTA:

“Our wellness council has raised awareness of wellness to both students and staff. Striving to become and stay healthy and well has become a norm at Felix Festa Middle School.,” said Principal Georgianna Diopoulos. Whether it’s improving the healthfulness of options in the cafeteria or promoting physical fitness in the classroom, the staff and students have wellness on the brain. The wellness council even developed a workout video for teachers to play during class to encourage students to get up and move and a yoga routine for kids to take part in during the school day. The cafeteria staff have also made significant strides by promoting fruit next to the cash register, stocking the vending machines with healthy snacks, and rolling out new recipes that students helped to create and prepare.

WEST NYACK:

Joining the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program allowed West Nyack Elementary School to focus on specific areas of health education that needed to be improved by providing resources and opportunities for goal-setting. To increase physical activity for students, teachers implemented brain breaks throughout the day that encouraged kids to get out of their seats and move more. On Fridays, staff provided “Overtime Athletics” for kids to try a variety of sports and activities. During a school-wide healthy snack week, students were asked to bring a fruit of vegetable that matched the “color of the day” and during class lessons, students learned why these were healthy choices. To expand their efforts into the community, the staff created a softball team, hosting weekly practices and a parent versus teacher game.

BARDONIA:

Students and staff at Bardonia Elementary School have many chances to make healthy choices before, during, and after the school day thanks to the school wellness council’s commitment to health. The school advertises the “Fit to Be” club and other physical activity groups through flyers and even when recess has to be moved indoors, students can participate in yoga classes. The council encourages families to take advantage of local farmer’s markets by printing a list of available options on the back of the school menus that are sent home to parents. Joining the Alliance’s Healthy Schools program has helped school stakeholders speak a common language. “When we started this initiative several years ago no one was on the same page. Now the whole community (including students, teachers, school personal, town officials, private businesses and even scout groups) are at least ‘in the same book’ and providing healthy options are automatic,” said Michelle Kleinman, a parent and member of the wellness committee.

WOODGLEN:

There is no shortage of opportunities for students to get moving at Woodglen Elementary School. Since the school has shifted its focus to fitness, students can now enjoy a walking path, a hop-a-thon, and afterschool yoga, dance, gardening, cooking, tennis, and golf classes. “The professional staff at Woodglen make a conscious effort to incorporate and enhance physical activity every day with students. There are good educational opportunities to discuss and learn about healthy living,” said kindergarten teacher Wendy Ansons. Students are also learning about healthy eating since school lunch menus have been aligned with federal standards and school celebrations are focused on healthy snacks. Staff have also become more aware of the impact healthy eating and exercise has on student performance in class.

According to preliminary results from a multi-year evaluation, the sale of “Alliance- compliant” healthier school meal products by these leading manufactures—those products with whole grains, lean protein, and zerotrans-fat cooking oils; non-fried vegetables; fresh/frozen/canned fruit; and low-fat lunch entrées with reduced total fat, saturated fat, and sodium levels—increased 71 percent between the 2010-11 and 2012-13 school years.

“This data suggests that unhealthy food choices are being replaced by healthy food choices for millions of students across the country,” said former President Bill Clinton, co-founder of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. “The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s work with schools and food companies proves that with planning and support, manufacturers can make and sell healthier foods, schools will offer it, and kids will eat it.”

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