District Wellness Committee

The Cairo-Durham District Wellness Committee is responsible for evaluating the implementation of the district’s wellness policy. In addition, this committee will identify areas of concern while also providing solutions for any improvements deemed necessary.

Members of the Committee include: the Board of Education, administrators, teachers, parents, PTA, students, local businesses, school food service staff, school nurse, and health teacher(s).

This year the committee will address many areas, some may include:

    1. A commitment to nutrition and physical activity.
    2. Quality school meals including nutritional guidelines
    3. Other healthy food options (vending machines, school functions, birthday parties)
    4. Tobacco School Policy and Implementation
    5. Pleasant eating experiences
    6. Nutrition education
    7. Marketing
    8. Health education and alignment to NYS standards
    9. Staff Wellness
    10. School parties and celebrations
    11. Fundraisers

In addition to evaluating the local policy, the committee will provide ideas to promote student and staff wellness. Some ideas may include Wellness Walks and a Battle of the Bulge competition for staff.

The first meeting date of the 2007-2008 school year is tentatively scheduled on October 2, 2007 at Cairo Elementary School beginning at 3:30pm

Contact Mr. Packard (assistant principal) at Cairo Elementary School for more information. He can be reached at 622-3231.

October Monthly Focus: Vegetables
1. Vary your veggies.
2. Set a good example by eating vegetables with meals and as snacks.
3. Let children decide on the dinner vegetables or what goes into salads.
4. Depending on their age, children can help shop for, clean, peel or cut up vegetables.
5. Allow children to pick a new vegetable to try while shopping.
6. Use cut-up vegetables as part of afternoon snacks.
7. Children often prefer foods served separately. So, rather than mixed vegetables try serving two vegetables separately.
8. Children need to be familiar with foods before they try them. Don't be discouraged if you serve them many times before your child takes a bite. Be patient because it's worth it.

Helpful websites for Educators, Parents and Students include:

Kids and Food: 10 Tips for Parents

It's no surprise that parents need some help understanding what it means to eat healthy. From the food pyramid guide to the latest food fad, it can be awfully confusing. The good news is that you don't need a degree in nutrition to raise a healthy child. By following some basic guidelines, you can create an environment that encourages your child to eat right and maintain a healthy weight.

    1. Parents control the supply lines. You decide which foods to buy and when to serve them. Though kids will pester their parents for less nutritious foods, adults should be in charge when deciding which foods are regularly stocked in the house. Kids won't go hungry. They'll eat what's available in the cupboard and fridge at home. If their favorite snack isn't all that nutritious, you can still buy it once in a while so they don't feel deprived.

    2. From the foods you offer, kids get to choose what they will eat or whether to eat at all. Kids need to have some say in the matter. From the selections you offer, let them choose what to eat and how much of it they want. This may seem like a little too much freedom. But if you follow step 1, your kids will be choosing only from the foods you decided to buy and serve.

    3. Quit the "clean-plate club." Let kids stop eating when they feel they've had enough. Lots of people who are parents today grew up under the clean-plate rule, but that approach doesn't help kids listen to their own bodies when they feel full. When they notice and respond to feelings of fullness, they're less likely to overeat.

    4. Start them young. Food preferences are developed early in life, so offer a variety of foods. Likes and dislikes begin forming even when kids are babies. You may need to serve a food on 10 to 15 different occasions for a child to take to it. Don't force a child to eat, but offer a few bites. With an older child, ask him or her to try one bite.

    5. Rewrite the kids' menu.Who says kids only want to eat hot dogs, pizza, burgers, and macaroni and cheese? When eating out, let your children try new foods and they might surprise you with their willingness to experiment. You can start by letting kids try a little of whatever you ordered or ordering an appetizer for them to try.

    6. Drink calories count. Soda and other sweetened drinks add extra calories and get in the way of good nutrition. Water and milk are the best drinks for kids. Juice is fine when it's 100%, but kids don't need much of it 4 to 6 ounces a day is enough for preschoolers.

    7. Put sweets in their place. Occasional sweets are fine, but don't turn dessert into the main reason for eating dinner. When dessert is the prize for eating dinner, kids naturally place more value on the cupcake than the broccoli. Try to stay neutral about foods.

    8. Food is not love. Find better ways to say, "I love you." When foods are used to reward kids and show affection, kids may start using food to cope with stress or other emotions. Offer hugs, praise, and attention instead of food treats.

    9. Kids do as you do. Be a role model and eat healthy yourself. When trying to teach good eating habits, try to set the best example possible. Choose nutritious snacks, eat at the table, and don't skip meals.

    10. Limit TV and computer time. When you do, you'll avoid mindless snacking and encourage activity. Research has shown that kids who cut down on screen time also reduced their percentage of body fat. When TV and computer time are limited, kids will find more active things to do. And when the whole family limits "screen time," you'll have more time to be active together.

Date updated: May 21, 2007
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