St. Michael’s School (Bow Island) is Committed to the Health of its Students
Submitted by: Stephanie Hlady, Chair - Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Committee
Description of Success:
In September 2007, St. Michael’s School’s Parent Council formed a HEAL committee with the goal of promoting healthy eating and active living. For a small school of 100 students this committee has six (including two teachers) energetic and committed members.
We assessed the school environment and determine our needs. With the help of the Healthy Eating and Active Living School Checklist, available from Palliser Health Region, we determined the school wanted to offer a healthy concession and vending machine menu, wanted to involve the students in promoting healthy eating and active living, and the teachers wanted to be aware of healthy eating and active living resources.
Teachers were informed about resources through an inservice. A Health Promotion Facilitator from Palliser Health gave our teachers a very informative session. All resources are available free at www.movingandchoosing.com/teachers.htm
The concession and vending machine menus have been changed to offer only healthy options. The new menus will be offered in September 2008 and the student council is preparing a promotional event.
Our HEAL committee also is offering free healthy hot lunches once a month. We have had baked spaghetti, homemade chicken noodle soup, chili, and a subway style sub line. Thanks to Parent Council to sponsoring the hot lunches and kitchen equipment.
Currently, we are also exploring implementing Recess Before Lunch.
St. Michaels’ School, as part of the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, is also part of the On Track project funded by Alberta Health and Wellness. This project funds expert Wellness Coaches to give presentations integrated with the health curriculum. The presentation resources and information are then made available for teachers and parent. Also students track health eating choices, physical activity and safe and caring behaviours. New physical activities are also being offered to students.
Positive Outcomes:
The Hot Lunches have been very well received. Mrs. Krauss, Kindergarten teacher, comments “What a treat to have such delicious and healthy lunches once a month. The students and teachers always look forward to them. All were received very well by students in my class”.
In regards to the menus, Cindy Hanson, St. Michael’s parent states “the new concession and vending machine menu are awesome. The new menus will ensure that whatever food my child buys at school is healthy. I’m also pleased that our new menus support the teachings of the health curriculum.”
Most importantly our students are being positively affected. Ilona Bastiaansen says, "The changes are incredible, not only do we get healthy meals, we get an opportunity to do better in school."
For more information contact:
Stephanie Hlady
Chair, HEAL Committee
St. Michael’s School
(403) 545-6530
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