School Meals

1
School MealsPart of the Puzzle and the Solution

• Karen Green, SN Director Thomas County Schools

2
Who is a part of the Puzzle?

• Schools
• Families
• Communities
• Allied Organizations

3
How do we put all the pieces together?
4
How are School Meals part of the Solution?

• Governed by Federal Guidelines
• Meeting Nutrient Standards
• School meals vs. Bag Lunches
• Academic Performance
• No-Super Sizing
• Fruits and Veggies Abound
• Wellness Policies

5
Why School-Based Wellness?

• Health and success in school are interrelated.
  
• Schools cannot achieve their primary mission
  of education if students and staff are not
  healthy and fit physically, mentally and
  socially
• The nation's leading health authorities recommend
  that schools take an active role in preventing
  disabling chronic health conditions that create
  misery and consume a burdensome share of the
  nation's resources.
• National Association of State Boards of
  Education Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn, 2000

6
BUZZ in Thomas County?

• Supportive Superintendent/Administration
• School Nurses
• Commitment to Physical Education
• Pro-Active Wellness Committee
• School Improvement Plans- Wellness Commitment
• Active relationships with Community resource
  partners

7
Community Partners/Resources

• BEE Partners
• Health MPowers Grades K-5
• Community Walks/Runs
• TEAM Lean
• Body and Soul Lifestyle Center
• Local Chiropractic Center
• Health Fair Local Hospital
• Partners for a Healthy SW Georgia
• Thrive Healthy Lifestyle Classes

8

SLOW AND STEADYPERSISTENT

• Key people in the schools and in the community
• Keep Wellness the Buzz Word
• Student health must become the
• focus in all areas of the school environment
• Walk the Talk
• Keep on Keeping Onand Celebrate the Successes!