Health and Safety

Here is a brief list of our current initiatives:

Kindergarten Outreach – Kids for Health (K4H) students read a brief story about healthy habits to the Kindergarten classes followed by a group activity.

Health Tip of the Week – K4H students research healthy messages and help create a flyer to be displayed in table tents on the

cafeteria tables each Wednesday.

Weekend Wellness Challenge – K4H students will present a ‘Weekend Wellness Challenge’ to fellow students each Friday during

the p.m. announcements.

Super Sneakers – 33 students are registered and participating in this voluntary 4th grade recess walking/running club. Kids who

complete will receive a fitness prize bag.

Marathon Kids – K4H works with the PE dept to help promote this program. A banner has been created listing participating students.

Ribbons will be attached as students finish their 26.2 mile commitment over the course of the school year. (More about Marathon Kids below.)

Healthy Kids Expo – Planning is underway and this year’s theme, Under the Sea, has been chosen. “Dive into the 2009 Healthy

Kids Expo – March 6th, 4-6 p.m. !”

Remember, if you are interested in hosting a booth at the Healthy Kids Expo next March or wish to join the planning committee,

Please contact us – we need you!

Rebecca Orendorff or Krista Collier

Marathon Kids

The PTA Health and Safety committee is excited to help our PE teachers promote the Marathon Kids program this year.  It is an innovative, incremental running/walking and nutrition program provided at no charge to students, families, teachers, or schools. Children run 26.2 miles (a full marathon distance) over the course of the school year, in increments of ¼ or ½ mile at a time. Students run in P.E. classes or with their parents. Marathon Kids keep a 1 page mileage chart and a 5 a day fruit and vegetable fuel log, coordinated by the PE teacher to track their progress. Mileage recording is based on teacher or parent supervision.

Tips for Dining Out with Children

For today’s busy families, eating out is a chance for parents to take time off from meal planning, cooking, and cleaning. But finding a place that’s kid-friendly and nutritious can be difficult. Many kids’ meals at popular family restaurants are too high in sodium and calories. These meals also tend to contain dangerous trans fat, which contribute to obesity and heart disease.

Here are some tips to eat healthier when you are out:

LOOK OUT FOR THE EXTRAS

Kids’ menus often offer a free soda or dessert with every entr? This can add hundreds of calories without adding any nutritional value to the meal. Ask for a substitution like water or milk for the soda or fruit instead of the standard dessert.

ASK FOR A DIFFERENT SIDE DISH

While many chain restaurants do not list any side dishes other than French fries, most will allow you to substitute something healthier, liked cooked vegetables, if you ask.

AVOID HIGH FAT CONDIMENTS

Sour cream, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, are very high in fat. Ask for low fat versions of these items.

This information taken from: Healthy Lifestyles at Home and School–A Resource from National PTA and Parents’ Action for Children