Healthy Schools Campaign

Raising My Hand for School Health (AKA Chocolate Milk in a Land of Wellness)

By Mark Bishop, Deputy Director

As Deputy Director of the Healthy Schools Campaign and father of a 3 1/2 year old boy, I am both personally and professionally conflicted with the stir that has been caused by chocolate milk recently, but mostly I look at this issue and hope we aren't losing focus on the big picture.

Recently the milk industry has begun serving slick ads encouraging the consumption of chocolate milk ("raise your hand for chocolate milk") and in response, those on the other side of the debate have felt forced to draw a line in the sand saying absolutely no to flavored milk.

So the question is: when it comes to flavored milk, do the health benefits (vitamins and minerals) outweigh the negatives (added sugar)? Or is flavored milk an absolutely unhealthful option? The reality is that it's unclear and has been for years. Even the recent IOM report on school meals did not distinguish between flavored and regular milk in their recommendations. So in my mind, flavored milk becomes one of those "sometimes" foods, which is how I treat it at home. In other words: it's not perfect, it's not the worst option out there, and I don't believe it should take attention away from the bigger issue of ensuring that our schools support wellness in a comprehensive and meaningful way. 

As a school health advocate, I want to focus our attention on developing and implementing common-sense nutrition standards, increasing nutrition education and increasing funding for better school food. I hope we don't become sidetracked by efforts to get any single item banned from school menus.

A recent Chicago Tribune story highlighted the challenges of eliminating flavored milk in a school, and also highlighted a school district that displayed what I felt was a supportive and rational decision-making process. According to the story, a school wellness committee in Barrington, IL decided to remove flavored milk from the lunch offerings, at which point other parents raised complaints and concerns. And then:

...three students came by his [the superintendent's] office over the summer with some evidence and a request... a trial: The schools would serve flavored milk on Fridays and figure out how that affected consumption... and now the schools compare how much milk is tossed out on white-milk-only days and flavor Fridays... The study will run through January, when the district will decide the future of flavored milk.

To me this represents a nearly-ideal response to this controvery because ultimately, it allowed the voices of the parents and the students to be heard. The superintendent decided to gather data before making a decision instead of basing a decision only on input from either side of the heated debate. And it set up a decision-making plan that can bring community members together to learn about the issues.

When my son Henry goes off to school in a year or two, I hope his school doesn't serve chocolate milk in the cafeteria. But more than that, I hope his school makes wellness a priority throughout the day and across the building: I hope the school serves wholesome meals, provides fresh vegetables, limits access to unhealthy treats, provides nutrition education and offers Henry and his future classmates that chance to run and play, both in PE and recess. In the context of this type of healthy environment, the truth is that I'm not overly concerned by any single less-healthy food option.

And the reality is that most schools today do not provide this comprehensive approach to wellness in a health-supporting environment. I hope that we can focus our energy on that struggle, speaking up for better school food funding and policies that support physical activity and food education. 

So I won't be raising my hand for chocolate milk. But I will be speaking up for policies that put the flavored milk decision in the context of a healthful school environment for all the students.

Study Shows Overwhelming Parent Support for Healthier Schools

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

The recent survey by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation confirms our experience: that parents understand the connection between learning, health and the school environment, and they want schools to promote healthy eating and physical activity.

Among the key findings from the online survey of 600 parents with children in grades K-12:

• Parents nearly unanimously agree (98 percent) that their child’s school should offer opportunities for physical activity throughout the day, whether through P.E., activity breaks or recess and after school programs.

• Almost as many parents (96 percent) agree that their child’s school should limit access to unhealthy snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages.

• About two-thirds of parents (63 percent) believe schools play a major role in instilling healthy habits in students.

• Four-fifths of parents have undertaken one or more health-related activities or advocacy efforts in their local schools. Those include bringing nutritious foods to school parties or other events and pushing for healthier lunch menus or expanded health education for students.

Healthy Schools Campaign’s Parents United for Healthy Schools has hundreds of parents involved in organizing wellness teams and working to promote healthy eating and physical activity. In fact, two parent leaders, Jovita Flores and Rosa Guzman, have been recognized by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation for their outstanding leadership and are featured in its new book, Be Well: Messages from Moms on Living Healthier Lives. Congratulations to Jovita and Rosa!  And many congratulations and thanks to all the parents across the country who are working to promote health and wellness in schools.

Parents try out a healthy physical activity break at a Parents United for Healthy Schools summit

Recess in Schools Means Active Playtime for the Kids Who Need It

By Amanda Chablani, HSC Policy Specialist

As Rochelle recently witnessed, kids (and first ladies) love to run around and be active;  we were glad to see the White House providing such a great, green space where so many young people could play.  While we all need regular exercise, kids especially need dedicated time for unstructured play -– that’s why we think it’s vital that schools schedule daily recess in addition to physical education.

Last October, the first set of federal guidelines on physical activity was released by Health and Human Services.  These guidelines, in addition to setting forth recommendations for daily exercise based on age and ability, provide helpful tips on incorporating exercise into our daily routine.

And for kids, school is a huge part of daily routine.  That’s why the guidelines recommend that schools and communities “provide time for both structured and unstructured physical activity during school and outside of school. Children need time for active play. Through recess, physical activity breaks, physical education classes, after-school programs, and active time with family and friends, youth can learn about physical activity and spend time doing it.”

While it seems obvious that kids need to run around every day, it has become very difficult for many kids to do so. As I learned on a trip to Springfield last spring, recess is no longer available to many kids. But parents here in Chicago are taking action –- Parents United for Healthy Schools collected almost 4,000 signatures in support of re-instituting recess in Chicago Public Schools. And at a federal level, we’re also seeing some movement. Senator Harkin and Congressman Gordon introduced legislation (S.1810 and HR. 3851 respectively) to make sure the HHS guidelines are regularly updated and made available. 

Let’s hope school districts around the country respond by bringing back recess.  

To support this legislation, visit the American College of Sports Medicine’s website.

Veggies, Hula Hoops and the Future of School Food: HSC at the White House Healthy Kids Fair

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

Yesterday I had the pleasure and privilege of participating in Healthy Kids Fair at the White House. It was a fun event with an important message and I was thrilled that Healthy Schools Campaign was able to be part of it.

Of course I've been following the First Lady's work promoting healthy food and fitness, especially around the White House Garden and the farmers market. But being able to actually participate in an event at the White House and hear first-hand her comments about promoting healthy eating at home and in schools, seeing her interact with children eating healthy food and engaging in physical activity was a real treat. And yes, she actually did the hula hoop (142 rotations, according to the AP) and jumped rope.  

Amidst her strong message about the need for healthy eating and physical activity, Mrs. Obama’s comments were humorous and filled with practical advice. The event included a policy announcement --  expanding the USDA’s existing Healthier Schools USA program -- that was great though not really game-changing in the movement for healthier school food.

But the First Lady's involvement clearly demonstrates a strong commitment by the Administration to improving school food.  In fact, Secretary of Agriculture Vlisack told the crowd at the fair that when President Obama asked him to become the Secretary of Agriculture, the President told him that improving school food needed to be his top priority.

As I left this event, I couldn't help but think of something that many of us who care about kids' wellness have been saying again and again lately: it really is a new day for school food and fitness.

Seeing this type of enthusiasm for veggies and hula hoops coming from the White House is more than just encouraging and fun: it changes the conversations we have about good food and physical activity by creating a climate in which these things are valued and applauded. 

Fit Kids Scoring on Academics

By Mark Bishop, Deputy Director

In a study that alters my perception of my childhood, researchers say it seems that physically fit students students post higher academic scores than less-fit peers. Put another way, it's no longer the geek who shall inherit the earth. According to the study:

To examine the correlation between physical fitness and academic performance, researchers reviewed the academic and fitness records of students attending kindergarten through eighth grade in New York City public school who participated in the New York City FITNESSGRAM, a standards-based fitness curriculum and assessment. The researchers found that scores on standardized English language arts and math tests increased accordingly with higher FITNESSGRAM assessment scores for all racial and ethnic groups.

One of the problems that we see in schools is that the current focus on testing has reduced time and resources devoted to non-core school programming. So many important elements of a healthful school environment are cut -- including PE, nutrition programs, maintenance -- and the list goes on.

While it's helpful to have more and more research showing that better health means better education, what would be even more helpful is to start directing resources to expand health promotion programs.We know that healthy kids are better learners. Now it's time to start putting that knowledge into practice.

Maybe what we need is a new learning index that goes beyond just math and English and also includes physical education, nutrition, even the quality of the school building. By looking at developing the whole child, maybe we can then take steps to really improve our academic outcomes.

Changing the Future of School Food: Student Chefs in The Washington Post

by Tara Kennon, HSC communications manager

Great news from Washington! Today, the healthy, tasty school meal designed by high school students from Richards Career Academy for HSC’s Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest was served in cafeterias around the nation and at a nearby briefing – where the students prepared the meal with White House chef Sam Kass.

The tasty meal kicks off a national campaign to change the future of school food and urge our Congressional leaders to support a strong, well-funded reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act that will make this type of healthy lunch a daily reality in our nation’s schools.

Jane Black wrote a great piece for the Washington Post about the student chefs, today’s event, and the campaign to get more money for better food in our nation’s school cafeterias. Explaining that HSC is “bringing good food and cute kids to Washington,” Black writes that:

Today six culinary students from the Richards Career Academy in Chicago will join White House Assistant Chef Sam Kass at Martha's Table, where they will cook their idea of a perfect school lunch. On the menu: carrot quesadillas, chicken-stuffed peppers and a "refrescante" (a.k.a. salsa) salad. The meal also will be served to House members and staffers at the Longworth Cafeteria and to 40,000 students at schools across the country. . . .

The message: Schools need more money to produce healthful meals.

President Obama has made healthful eating in schools a centerpiece of his domestic agenda. In his budget, he called for $1 billion to improve childhood nutrition programs.

Will Congress fork over the funds? That will ultimately be up to Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Finance Committee. The kids better hope he likes carrot quesadillas.

Click here to check out the full post and leave a comment congratulating the talented student chefs!

We'll post photos and video from the event as they're available -- for now, we have one small (and, sorry, slightly blurry) cell phone photo that a friend sent of the students cooking with Sam Kass while HSC's Rochelle Davis speaks.

May 5: Change the Future of School Food

May 5, 2009 – less than one week from today – is a day that could change the future of school food.

A tasty, healthy school meal designed by high school students in Chicago will be served in the Capitol Hill cafeteria and at a nearby briefing on the future of school food, where the students will prepare the meal with White House chef Sam Kass. The meal, which won first place in HSC’s Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest, will also be served to more than 40,000 students in cities across the U.S. The student-designed menu of carrot quesadillas, stuffed peppers and refrascante salad exceeds the nutrition standards of the National School Lunch Program and highlights the importance of healthy food for the millions of schoolchildren who eat lunch at school every day. 

Please take a moment to urge your elected leaders to eat (school) lunch on May 5 and to support a strong, well-funded reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act that will make this type of healthy meal a daily reality in our nation’s schools.

Now, HSC has limited time to raise funds for the Chicago public high school students who designed the lunch to travel to DC to prepare the meal with White House chef Sam Kass at the Congressional briefing. Can you help make this trip possible by contributing to the students’ travel? Even a small donation will help create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students and send a powerful message to policy-makers about the need for fresh, healthy school food. Click here to make a contribution.

Thank you for joining this effort to change the future of school food. Stay posted for updates as the nationwide events unfold!

Earth Mothers: Parents Share Lessons & Victories in Environmental Justice Project

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

Last Monday, I had the privilege of participating in the final event of our EPA Environmental Justice grant with parents from the Austin Wide Parent Network.  For the last two years, 12 parents from this low-income African-American community worked with HSC staff to learn about the connection between learning, health and the school environment and then work together to make improvements in four schools. 
 
After a delicious and healthy meal prepared by Real Men Cook, parents gave personal testimony on what they learned and the changes that they were able to make in their schools. I was very moved by the whole program.  I was so inspired by a poem written by Austin Wide Parent Network organizer Tracy that I wanted to share it with you.  The poem eloquently captures the essence of the work being done.  
 
Earth Mothers
 
When we hear the term earth mother,
Particularly in the black community,
It conjures up images of dreadlocks and fros, breathable fabrics flowing in the wind, composts, organics and canvas bags
 
We think of women who have given up so much,
Sacrificed conveniences and luxuries
To ensure that the earth will survive beyond their lifetimes and into perpetuity
 
But, I know other earth mothers
Who may not be cotton and linen clad every day
But whose existence breathes purpose and commitment
As they ensure that dust bunnies are shooed away and pests eased out, not poisoned out
To clear the air for the babies of Austin
 
I know other earth mothers
Whose hair may not be locked up as they say
But, for whom it is natural to tell school engineers in no uncertain terms to “Get rid of that bleach, Fabuloso and all the other toxic stuff. We’re trying to breathe up in here.”
 
I know other earth mothers
Whose homes may not be lead free
Because the Dollar Store is still the most affordable place in our communities and nobody cares enough to regulate the make-up of the inventory there
But, who are working magic with potions of vinegar, baking soda and water to keep the air in their home toxin free
 
I know other earth mothers
Who may just now be starting to investigate recycling options now that a drop-off center is kind of nearby and the City finally decided to put some blue carts out here
But you better believe they understand reuse
As in “Where are you taking the tablecloth? I’m going to use it for my No Child Left Behind meeting”
Or “You better hand me that foil pan. I’m using that for my family reunion.”
 
These are women whose faith compels them to weed out barriers to clear air in the Edens and Gesthemanes we call our homes and schools
 
These are warrior queens who are fighting to keep Mother Earth and all of her children alive and kicking
 
These are the mothers and grandmothers of the Austin Wide Parent Network.

What Lessons from Chicago will Obama and Arne Duncan Take to DC?

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

Chicago has been in the spotlight more than usual for the past few months, as President Barack Obama and new Secretary of Education Arne Duncan transition to DC from careers that began in this city. With HSC’s office in Chicago and some of our key programs focused on healthy change in Chicago Public Schools, we have been giving a great deal of thought to the lessons on health and education that our leaders will bring from Chicago to the national policy dialogue.

It’s with this in mind that HSC is pleased to release our new report, Healthy and Ready to Learn: Lessons from Chicago. This report outlines the five lessons on school health that we’d like to see our leaders bring to DC, along with personal stories and policy recommendations for each.

Why do these Chicago lessons matter? We know that one of the greatest challenges facing our leaders is to provide a good education and a health-promoting environment for students in urban school districts serving low-income communities of color. The Chicago Public Schools system serves more than 400,000 students at more than 650 schools. African-American and Latino students comprise 85 percent of the district’s student population. More than 83 percent of the student population is considered low-income, and the district serves more than 56 million school meals per year.

I can’t imagine a more appropriate place for these lessons to originate: both the challenges and the promise of this system make the lessons learned here valuable for our nation as a whole.

I hope you’ll take a moment to check out the full report and share it with your colleagues. We’d love to hear your feedback and invite you to sign on as a supporter of the policy recommendations. But first, let me share a quick summary of the five lessons:

1. A healthy school environment supports learning.
2. Healthy school meals are critical for student health and learning.
3. Physical activity supports student health and helps students focus on learning.
4. School nurses are important for promoting student health.
5. Parent and stakeholder engagement can be a powerful catalyst for making school-based change.

These are simple, common-sense lessons. Although the related policy changes are not always easy to implement, we hope that our leaders will make it a priority to consider these lessons and the value of healthy schools.  As schoolchildren in Chicago can attest, small changes make a big difference: a healthy meal, a few minutes of physical activity and clean classroom air all go a long way to help children focus and do their best at school.

More Reasons for Recess

By Lindsay Muscato, HSC Writer/Communications Specialist

HSC is happy to see that more new research endorses recess.  A recent New York Times blog points to a study in the journal Pediatrics that linked recess to better classroom behavior.

The lead researcher, Dr. Romina M. Barros, a pediatrician and an assistant clinical professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said the findings were important because many schools did not view recess as essential to education.

“We should understand that kids need that break because the brain needs that break.”

And many children are not getting that break. In the Pediatrics study, 30 percent were found to have little or no daily recess. Another report, from a children’s advocacy group, found that 40 percent of schools surveyed had cut back at least one daily recess period.

Also, teachers often punish children by taking away recess privileges. That strikes Dr. Barros as illogical. “Recess should be part of the curriculum,” she said. “You don’t punish a kid by having them miss math class, so kids shouldn’t be punished by not getting recess.”

The blog post also quotes researchers who say that when kids break for recess, they're exercising important social skills and learning to stay fit, in addition to giving their brains a chance to rest before the next lesson.

HSC advocates for recess in every school and believes that recess is part of the healthy lifestyle kids need to in order to learn and succeed throughout their school years and later in life as adults.

Read the full New York Times blog post.

Read a recent blog on recess from HSC's founding executive director, Rochelle Davis.