Nutrition Education
In order to support nutrition education, schools can:
- Integrate nutrition education materials into core academic subjects and through before-and after-school programs.
- Encourage children to stay hydrated by drinking daily water. Celebrate ReThink Your Drink (RYD) Day in May.
- Provide time for moderate to vigorous physical activity during P.E. and encourage students to “be active” during recess breaks.
- Encourage students to eat all fruits and vegetables, drink milk during lunch, and promote healthy snacks. Host a Healthy Snack Day in September.
- Celebrate classroom and student achievements by going out and playing a game! Incorporate healthy and active parties.
Parents can:
- Encourage eating a healthy breakfast as it’s the most important meal of the day!
- Read nutrition labels with your child.
- Substitute water for sodas and other sugary beverages (e.g., sports drinks, fruit drinks, sweetened water).
- Offer more water, 1% or nonfat milk, and 100% fruit juice as beverage options.
- Reduce eating at fast food restaurants.
- Plan and participate in fun, physical, family activities with your child, like walking or biking to school.
- Limit TV/computer/video time or get up and exercise during the commercials!
We all can:
- Be a good role model; eat healthily and exercise daily!
- Know your food or beverage "serving size" versus portion amount!
- Turn off the TV, computer, or telephone, and get up and move!
Child Nutrition Services
The district participates in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, where breakfast and lunch are served daily at all school sites. Students are offered three entree choices at lunch and breakfast and have access to a complete salad bar consisting of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat or non-fat milk.
USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Team Nutrition is part of the USDA’s efforts to provide information and nutrition education to schools focusing on nutrition and physical activity.
Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition)
Food Standards Calculators determines if an individual food item would meet the standards for calories, fat, saturated fat, and sugar established by California’s legislation (SB 12). There are separate calculators for elementary versus middle/high school.
Dairy Council of California
The Dairy Council of California provides a variety of grade-level curriculum materials for educators as well as numerous resources for parents and after-school providers.
Web Links and Resources