Friday, September 13, 2013

HOLLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Principal discusses new "Building Healthy Communities" program



“Talking Taylor Schools” recently got a chance to discuss the new “Building Healthy Communities” program with Holland Elementary School Principal Sue Massucci. 

Holland is one of two schools in Taylor selected to participate in the program, which is a combined partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Michigan Fitness Foundation, the United Diary Industry of Michigan, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. McDowell is the other.

The program aims to establish healthy lifestyles among school children and create healthy environments. The program educates students through classroom lessons, creates an environment that makes healthy choice the easy choice, encourages students to practice lessons learned, provides opportunities for physical activity during and after school, and improves access to healthy food and beverages for students.

Question: How big of a problem is nutrition for elementary school students, from your point of view?

Massucci: I don't want to make it sound like families aren't feeding their kids, but we do feed lots of kids breakfast and lunch every day. Our school also participates in Blessings in a Backpack, which provides food for the child on the weekends. Many kids do not bring snacks from home and save a piece of fruit or something from their breakfast to have during snack time.

Given your experience, do young students want to "eat healthy"? Is getting them to eat healthier easier when you introduce it to them at a younger age? 

We have found that kids will try healthy foods if their friends are trying them. Part of this program and the programs we have participated in before include the instructor bringing in healthy snacks for the kids to try ... unusual fruits, yogurt parfaits, celery and peanut butter or cream cheese, etc.  We also have healthy parties with very limited or no sweets.

Is it important that teachers buy into this type of attitude, too? 

Teacher buy-in is very important for the success of any program. Our staff is on board and is looking forward to helping the kids and themselves in making better choices and becoming more active.

Many districts, facing money crunches, entered into contracts with soda companies, etc. In hindsight, was that poor policy?

Our district has been very proactive in not getting trapped with the vending machines.  Our wellness plan does not allow vending machines or unhealthy products sold to our students.


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