October Healthy Schools - Healthy Students

Healthy Schools - Healthy Students
taste testing

Local Food Day - October 11th

Iowa Local Food Day is next week!

Is your school on the map of participants? It's not too late to sign-up! To participate schools are to serve 2 local food items. The items can either be part of a school meal or a taste test opportunity! What will you be serving or taste testing on October 11th?

Tag @IowaFarmtoSchool on Facebook!

 

Photo: Western Dubuque CSD - taste testing local tomatoes.

National School Lunch Week


The theme this year is "School Lunch: What's on Your Playlist?" which highlights the wide variety of flavors, dishes, delivery options and tastes that can be customized in today's school lunch. The School Nutrition Association has a wonderful collection of resources to help you celebrate!

Please share you plans for National School Lunch Week with Carrie Scheidel at carrie.scheidel@iowa.gov to be showcased by the Iowa Department of Education! #NSLW19 #LunchPlaylist

Ready to Learn with School Breakfast

hoover breakfast cart

Only 19.7% of Iowa students participate in the School Breakfast Program. Late busses, busy morning schedules, lack of awareness and stigma are some reasons that students go without eating.

Hungry students are distracted by the discomfort of growling stomachs, headaches, drowsiness, inability to concentrate, and overall restlessness. When kids have needed nutrition, academic outcomes improve, absenteeism and behavioral referrals decrease.

Connect with school administrators on the important role School Breakfast can play on academic success! Share participation trends and challenges and explore creative delivery models (i.e. grab n’ go, breakfast in the classroom, 2nd chance). Encourage them to reinforce the importance of breakfast with students, teachers, and families.

Are you having success with school breakfast? Share a summary of what has worked to increase school breakfast participation in your school with Carrie Scheidel at carrie.scheidel@iowa.gov and be showcased as a best practice.

To learn more, join a webinar on Strategies to Increase School Breakfast Participation on Oct. 28, from 2-3 p.m.

Photo: Grab n' Go breakfast food cart at Hoover High School in Des Moines

Making Healthy Choices Count at Fairview Elem

Grinnell-newburg

Fairview Elementary (Grinnell-Newberg CSD) received a $500 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count Sub-grant.

5 - Created a Healthy Snack and Non-Food Item List.

2 - Screen time Presentation for parents by School Counselor.

1 -  Incorporated brain break activities in the classroom, including areas were students can practice self-regulation skills.

0 - Promoting the consumption of water by allowing students to have water bottles with them throughout the school day! 

Questions? Contact Sarah Seney (sarah.seney@grinnell-k12.org)

Photo: Fairview Elementary - Grinnell Newburg CSD

wellness walkway

Sensory Paths

A sensory path is an opportunity for students to build connections in the brain that are responsible for the 5 senses, support the development motor skills, and provide a physical activity break during the school day. The paths can be made using stickers on the floor or paint on the walls. Check out what this looks like in Iowa schools!

Waterloo CSD - Art Teacher Creates Sensory Path

Marshalltown CSD - Sensory Pathway Give Students a Break

Ankeny CSD - Wellness Walkway


Photo: Northeast Elementary - Ankeny CSD

October Feature