Happy School Breakast Week!

School Breakfast Pilot Opportunity The Iowa Department of Education has received funding from No Kid Hungry, national non-profit organization working to address childhood hunger, to support school breakfast expansion in Iowa through a breakfast after the bell pilot program in 4 elementary schools. The pilot is to take place this spring and be implemented for a minimum of 4 weeks. Breakfast after the bell includes breakfast in the classroom and grab n' go. Each school participating will receive $3,000. If you are interested in being a part of this pilot, please contact Carrie Scheidel (carrie.scheidel@iowa.gov) by Wednesday, March 11th.

School Breakfast Parent Survey

Interested in expanding your school breakfast program, but would like more feedback from families? The Iowa Department of Education is partnering with the University of Iowa to develop a parent survey that provides school nutrition directors and administrators useful information as they plan to expand their school breakfast program next school year. If you would like more information on the survey process, please contact Carrie Scheidel at carrie.scheidel@iowa.gov.

Interested in a Water Bottle Filling Station?

Iowa schools have the opportunity to receive a new water bottle filling station through the Rethink Your Drink program, funded by the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. Selected schools will have an old drinking fountain replaced with a new Elkay water fountain/bottle filling station, receive water bottles, toothbrushes, and a Rethink Your Drink educational kit. Delta Dental Rethink Your Drink Program Information Deadline to apply: March 31, 2020 Questions? Contact Heather at hstrang@deltadentalia.com.

Social Emotional Competencies

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.  Iowa released Social Emotional Learning Competencies fall 2019 which can be found on the School Climate Transformation webpage. Social Emotional Learning can and should be an integrated part of educating the whole child. Specific SEL standards are also found in the Physical Education (P.E.) and Health Education Standards and are often specifically addressed in these programs. SHAPE America provides a crosswalk of SEL and P.E. standards. Picture: Oskaloosa Community School District

Health Education Guidance and Lists

Resources have been updated on the Iowa Department of Education Health Education webpage. A guidance document is available to provide a lens to view, understand and implement Iowa’s Health Education Standards. The research and resources lists are created in partnership with Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department of Human Services, education stakeholders, and more and are available as examples of age-appropriate and research-based materials which districts, schools, and parents may use to support health education. 
Questions? Contact Lyn at lyn.jenkins@iowa.gov.

Nutrition Education The knowledge and skills to make healthy nutritious food and beverage choices is included in health education content, health education standards, and physical education standards.  In physical education, Standard 3: The physically literate individual demonstrates the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness includes nutrition Grade Level Outcomes (GLOs) (S3.E6, S3.M17, S3.H13). These PE GLOs include identifying healthy food and beverages, balancing food and physical activity, and the impact of choices on health among other specific outcomes.

MyPlate Tips Sheets for Teens

Youth experience many changes during their tween and teen years. Building healthy food and physical activity habits will help them now and as they enter adulthood. USDA has MyPlate Tip sheets that include tips and ideas for teens to learn to make their own healthy choices. Eat Smart and Be Active as Your Grow: 10 Healthy Tips for Teen Girls Choose the Foods You Need to Grow: 10 Tips for Teen Guys

What Schools Need to Know About the Coronavirus

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the same precautions used against the flu should be implemented to stem the potential spread of CORVID-19. Here’s a list of precautions Encourage students, parents, and staff to take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. Educate students, parents, and staff on what to do if someone gets sick. Establish relationships with state and local public health officials for ongoing communication. K-12 administrators are encouraged to review the guidance document to ensure their plans are up to date and ready to be enforced. For teachers and parents, there is advice for talking to children about CORVID-19. For additional information visit the Iowa Department of Education.

Save the date! The 2020 Iowa Farm to School Conference will be held on June 18-19th at Timberline School in Waukee. The planning team is currently accepting breakout session proposals. Presenting is a way to share your best practices and creative ideas! The deadline to submit a proposal is March 27.

USDA now allows schools to offer low-fat (1%) flavored milk in school meal programs. To learn more, visit Midwest Dairy.

Iowa Department of Education - Bureau of Nutrition & Health Services
Carrie Scheidel - carrie.scheidel@iowa.gov

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter ad- dressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the com- plaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement

It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone numbers 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.