T’bonne schools pull plug on unhealthy snacks

With childhood obesity becoming more and more of a public concern across the nation, Terrebonne Parish School Board has a plan to help get students into a healthy state of mind that will last a lifetime, starting right in the classrooms.

“The Terrebonne Parish School Board recognizes that schools should play a vital role in promoting student health, preventing childhood obesity, and combating problems associated with poor nutrition and physical inactivity,” stated the revised policy file given to the Education and Policy Committee.

The specific goals for the school district include an extensive nutrition education program that will promote healthy eating habits with hands-on activities, age-appropriate and sequential lessons, social restriction skills and opportunities for students to taste low-fat foods.

“There seems to be a renewed interest in health and wellness of children, and this is a response to that,” said Superintendent Philip Martin, who also mentioned that student health is one of the causes First Lady Michelle Obama is committed too, and so is Terrebonne Parish.

“We are restricting things that can be sold at schools,” Martin said. Certain food items with high calorie and fat content will no longer be available.

“In addition to ensuring that reimbursable school meals meet all the requirements of the National School Lunch Program outlined in federal and state regulations, the School Board shall develop and maintain specific nutritional guidelines to address all food and beverages sold or served to the students,” it said in the policy.

Physical activity also weighs heavily in teaching students a healthy lifestyle, and the school district intends to address that need.

“The school district will promote and implement quality physical education programs that emphasize and promote participation in lifelong physical activities and reaching a health enhancing level of physical fitness among all students,” the policy states.

Students K-8 will have a minimum of 150 minutes per week of health and physical education, and at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. All physical education teachers will also be certified.

The school board also encourages students’ families to support their participation in physical activities, and will provide a list of healthy snack alternatives and ideas for health celebrations, rewards and fundraising activities.

“We are trying to develop and culture a healthy lifestyle,” Martin said.

School food service staff will be responsible for assessment of compliance with nutrition policies, and will report findings to the superintendent.