Healthy Classrooms Initiative: Educating Teachers on Healthy School Celebrations, Non-Food Rewards & More
| July 30, 2014 | Posted by Stacy under Classroom parties, Food rewards, Healthy parties, Healthy snacks, Junk food in school, Making change, School food, School parties, School policy, School wellness programs, Teachers, Wellness policy |
I’m so excited to have teamed up with a local registered dietitian to create an education initiative targeting the people in our school community with the greatest power to influence our kids: our teachers. When a school district doesn’t have a firm policy when it comes to classroom food, teachers are the ones who decide how to handle birthdays, holidays and other celebrations. They also determine whether kids are rewarded with ice cream or candy for a job well done.
Enter the Healthy Classrooms Initiative.
With our eye on a nutrition education grant being offered by our state board of education, we approached our school district superintendent and other administrators with the idea–and they said YES! One grant proposal and a bunch of legwork later, we have our funding–and are busy preparing the presentation and handouts that will be provided to every single teacher and classroom aide in our district.
So what exactly is a Healthy Classrooms Initiative? At the start of the school year, teachers and other staff will be given a 30-minute presentation (delivered by clinical dietitians) designed to raise awareness about the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity on student learning, behavior and health. They will get specific recommendations for food served in the classroom and learn the ins and outs of healthy celebrations, non-food rewards (SEE Why Food Rewards are Bad for Our Kids–and Ideas for Healthy Classroom Alternatives), the importance of physical activity and recess, and more.
Food-free birthday celebrations are one of the big changes that we’ll be advocating as a way to cut down on sugary treats and other junk. The overall goal: to have no more than three to five parties or special occasions involving food per year. Teachers who sign up to have a Healthy Classroom will receive a sign to display in their classroom. Participation will be voluntary but all will be asked to take the Healthy Classrooms pledge to demonstrate their commitment (and allow us to measure and track involvement).
Later in the spring, teachers also will have the option of taking a Healthy Classrooms enrichment course made up of a 4-hour class that can count toward professional development.
To help communicate the basics, we’ve created handouts for both teachers and parents. Thanks to the master design skills of Kim Harshberger of DesignQueue, I think they look great. And in case you want to learn more about our initiative or pitch the idea to your school district, I’m sharing them with you here:
What Is a Healthy Classroom? Info Sheet
Healthy Classrooms: Letter to Parents (English) / Healthy Classrooms: Letter to Parents (Spanish)
Healthy Birthday Contract for Parents (English) / Healthy Birthday Contract for Parents (Spanish)
Healthy Classrooms Sign & Student Sign-up Sheet
To be clear: I don’t think the teachers in our district are unhealthy. On the contrary, I have seen some make an extraordinary effort to create a healthy classroom environment. Our objective is to support their efforts by helping them create and communicate guidelines for classroom food.
Of course, I have my fingers and toes crossed that our Healthy Classroom Initiative is well received by our teachers. Most that we’ve spoken so far to are on board with the concept–but I realize that some may get defensive or want no part.
In any case, we hope that the information provided will inform, inspire and empower more of our educators to have healthy classroom celebrations and reward students with extra recess instead of M&Ms.
Does your school district educate teachers about ways to promote healthy eating and physical activity? Do you think it’s a smart strategy? Leave comments down below, please!
RELATED STORIES:
Should We Just “Let Kids Be Kids” When It Comes to Junk Food?
Calling All Moms: Here’s How YOU Can Make a Difference in the Fight for Healthier School Food
Taking a Stand Against Junk Food in School: Why It’s Hard–But We Need to Anyway!
Rant of the Day: Please Stop Feeding My Kids Junk Food at School!
I created this blog to raise awareness and start a dialogue about the various issues involved in school food. By writing about it, I hope to provide parents and educators with ideas and inspiration for making healthy changes in their own schools. Since healthy eating habits start at home, I also address common feeding challenges faced by parents.
Congratulations, Stacy, on earning that grant and making this all happen. I really look forward to hearing parent reaction. My kids’ school is a junkfest on all holidays. And though the teachers asked parents not to bring food for their children’s birthday celebrations, most of the parents ignored the request. I’m going to send your info to our principal! Keep us posted.
Thank you, Suzanne! We have a similar situation with parents ignoring teachers’ requests. We created the initiative to help teachers better create and communicate healthy classroom food guidelines. Fingers crossed that this has the BIG impact that we’re seeking. Hope that you can get something going at your school. Let me know if there’s any way that I can help.
I am thrilled for you! A formal grant is helpful because you have something tangible to measure goals and keep the district accountable. I like that your initiative is optional for teachers. I truly think most teachers will make the changes, especially after the presentation and posted signs. They will see their colleagues joining in and want to follow suit. 🙂 Keep me posted on the progress and what you’re including in the spring training. Cheers!
[…] is an uphill battle worth fighting for. That’s why I’m super appreciative of these handouts by School Bites. They make it easier for you to create a healthier classroom, beginning with […]