A Day of Action for Schafer Elementary School
On October 7, the entire student body of Schafer Elementary School in Lombard, IL had an opportunity to experience new, healthy options during a recent Get in the Action day, a partnership of FORWARD, Action for Healthy Kids, School District 45, and Tri-Town YMCA.
The children were first given samples of cantaloupe and jicama which was donated by Villa Park Fresh Foods, prepared through the volunteer efforts of Arbor Management, Inc. (school lunch provider for School District 44 & 45), and served by volunteers from DuPage Medical Group and Tri-Town YMCA. The children "voted" to indicate how well they liked each. The taste-test winner was clearly cantaloupe, a sweet and flavorful melon. Jicama's crunchy, white flesh has a flavor somewhere between that of a potato and a red apple and is typically enjoyed as part of a salad or to dip into guacamole.
"What we have learned is that kids will try new foods when given the opportunity," said Selena King, Field & Events Manager for Action for Healthy Kids. "Success is measured in terms of sustainability of new, healthy behaviors. For example, to continue offering more fresh fruits and vegetables, refrigeration space is needed. That's why Schafer School is receiving an additional refrigerator through the grant assistance of Get in the Action. Now, the potential is there to offer more fresh produce."
After the taste test, children returned to their classrooms and were read a story by a volunteer. The children followed along and acted out the story, hopping when the "frog leapt from his lily pad" and never suspecting they were being made to exercise. They thought they were just having fun but were actually engaged in a beneficial "brain break" and healthy physical activity. District 45 Superintendent Dr. Janice Rosales likes the potential of the Energizers to make the children both healthier physically and more alert mentally. As part of the program, she provided handbooks containing various energizing brain breaks to all of the teaching staff.
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Need to contact FORWARD?
forward@dupagehealth.org
630-221-7037
- 01-27-2012
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