August 30, 2011

Win prizes for having a healthy classroom!

Attention, teachers! How do you make lessons about healthy eating and physical activity part of your classroom? Healthy Schools Campaign is gathering the best ideas from across the country. Win prizes and earn recognition when you share yours! Learn more at www.healthyschoolscampaign.org. Winners will be anounced Sept 20, 2010.

August 23, 2010

SNA’s exciting new PR campaign launched today - Tray Talk!

The campaign and Tray Talk website are designed to spotlight school meal successes, share information on the latest trends in school nutrition and celebrate the fact that school meals are healthy meals. SNA members can get involved by submitting school nutrition success stories from their districts and relevant, colorful, close-up photos at www.TrayTalk.org. SNA members are key to Tray Talk’s success; encourage parents from your district to visit the site to learn the facts about school meals and share their ideas. SNA has created members-only Tray Talk tools to make it easy to promote your school nutrition program including a video, banners for your district websites, customizable presentations, and much more! To access these resources, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/traytalk (member login required).

August 10, 2010

New Afterschool Webinar from Illinois NET!

Refuel Afterschool with Food and Fitness is a free webinar training that will provide after-school program administrators and education staff with the tools and confidence to incorporate fun activities that teach kids from K-Grade 12 about eating right and being physically active.  Participants will discover resources for integrating evidence-based nutrition education activities into core subjects, hands-on food and gardening activities that promote healthy eating, non-competitive games and activities to get kids moving, and ways to reach out to parents to reinforce healthy behaviors at home. Guest speakers will share their success stories and attendees will learn about fun, interactive programs that can be integrated into core subject areas. Get information on federal child nutrition programs and requirements for after-school programs and a menu planning tool to provide fun, healthy and budget-friendly snacks for children in after-school programs.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 from 10:00 - 11:15 am (CST) Click here to register!

July 27, 2010

Chefs Move to Schools program!

More than 1,600 chefs across the country are volunteering their time to help generate excitement about nutritious foods in schools through school gardens, cooking demonstrations, taste tests and more. Participating chefs are using an interactive map to find interested schools, like yours, in their area. A chef will use the information provided to contact you about working together.

For more information about the program go to http://bit.ly/9BhtIf. If you would like to sign up you can go directly to: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/schoolmeals/Chef/SchoolsForm.php

See What's New at Let's Move.gov!

First lady Michelle Obama recently announced that the Let's Move! web site has been updated with even more resources and information for parents, teachers and community leaders to help our children eat better and become more active. Some new features include:

• Simple steps to success for parents, teachers, local officials, community leaders and chefs with easy, achievable ways to make changes in your day to day lives to improve the health of our nation's kids;
• The Let's Move! blog with the latest news, events and videos that are easy to share with friends and family;
• Ideas and resources for parents and families to get moving in the great outdoors;
• Links to Let's Move! on Facebook where you can connect and share tips with others that are concerned about this issue; and 
• Healthy, affordable weekly menu plans and video cooking demonstrations for busy families created by some of the country's top chefs. 

July 6, 2010

Teachers can earn 4 CPDU's and a poster - FREE!

Illinois teachers who complete the teacher's eCourse for the new Nutrition A3 Program can earn 4 free CPDU credits and a poster for their classroom. Nutrition A3 is a fun and innovative new curriculum for middle and high school students that uses technology to empower teens to make healthy food choices and be physically active. The goal is to change behaviors and reduce their risk of becoming overweight by using a media teens love to engage in! For all the details go to www.kidseatwell.org/NutritionA3.html.

July 5, 2010

NEW! Children's BMI Tool for Schools

From the CDC, this BMI Excel spreadsheet is intended for use by school, child care, and other professionals who want to compute Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age for a group of up to 2000 children, for example a school class room or grade. Using height and weight measurements, sex, date of birth, and date of measurement information that you enter it provides a group summary of children's BMI-for-age categories and graphs for Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity, and Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity by Sex.

Body Mass Index Measurements in Schools
This guidance document describes the purpose of school-based BMI surveillance and screening, examines current practices, summarizes the recommendations of experts, identifies concerns surrounding programs, and outlines needs for future research. Guidance is provided on specific safeguards that need to be addressed before schools decide to collect BMI information

United We Serve: Let’s Read. Let’s Move

An initiative launched by the Corporation for National and Community Service that is focused on strengthening our kids’ minds and bodies.
The goal of Let’s Read. Let’s Move. is simple: to provide opportunities to engage young people in summer reading and physical activities, as well as providing access to healthy, affordable food. Partners in the initiative include the Departments of Education, Agriculture, Interior, and Health and Human Services, as well as the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences. Some examples of activities already in place include cleaning up walking trails and playgrounds, tending to communities gardens, organizing book drives, and reading to young children. Consider how you could make an enduring difference in your own community. Visit http://serve.gov/lrlm.asp to find out more.

 Let’s Move Cities and Towns

Let’s Move Cities and Towns emphasizes the unique ability of communities to address the problem of childhood obesity locally. Mayors and elected officials can provide critical leadership to bring communities together and spur action. We encourage prospective cities and towns to support and take action on the four pillars of the Let’s Move! initiative:
1. Help Parents Make Healthy Family Choices
2. Create Healthy Schools
3. Provide Access to Healthy and Affordable Food
4. Promote Physical Activity

To learn more, see Let's Move Cities and Towns: A Call to Action.

June 11, 2010

Competitive Foods in Schools: a new analysis

A new analysis, How Competitive Foods in Schools Impact Student Health, School Meal Programs, and Students from Low-Income Families, by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) examines the role of competitive foods in schools and outlines strategies to improve the school food environment. Competitive foods - those foods available in vending machines, cafeteria "a la carte lines," and elsewhere in schools that are not part of the official school meal programs - not only have a negative impact on the health and well-being of students but also contribute to fewer students participating in the school meal programs.

May 24, 2010

New website from Midwest Dairy!

Midwest Dairy's new website includes tools for schools, recipes for parents and background information on everything dairy. There is also information on grant opportunities and free educational materials and a blog where you can interact with dairy experts. Go to http://www.midwestdairy.com/

April 23, 2010

The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance - New report!

the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) just released this new report on April 14, 2010.  The report indicates that school-based physical activity may help improve students’ grades and test scores and positively affect other factors that influence academic achievement.  The report also concludes that adding time during the school day for physical activity does not appear to take away from academic performance.

The report and executive summary are available on the DASH Health and Academics Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/index.htm#3

Additionally, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education has released a brochure for the public that briefly summarizes the findings of DASH’s report.  It is available at www.LetsMoveInSchool.org or www.aahperd.org/naspe.

March 12, 2010

Calling All Parents!

This spring, Action for Healthy Kids is introducing a monthly e-newsletter that will feature tips, tools, recipes and ideas to help your kids eat right and be active every day so they are ready to learn. If you'd like to receive this e-newsletter, send your email address to info@ActionforHealthyKids.org. You can also check out the Family Corner at Action for Healthy Kids for resources to help your kids make healthy choices at home and school.

March 5, 2010

Fuel Up to Play 60 with the NFL!

The Midwest Dairy Council, St. Louis District Dairy Council, National Dairy Council and the National Football league have joined forces to develop Fuel Up to Play 60 , a program that empowers youth to take actions to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health.  Over 60,000 schools in the nation participated in the 2009-2010 school year.  Fuel Up to Play 60 leverages the excitement of the NFL and applies social marketing principles to influence actions and behaviors and motivate youth to invest in their own health and take action to improve their school. The program lets students take the lead to develop nutrition and physical activity action strategies and engage the whole student body in the program.  

Enrollment is now open for the 2010-11 school year (kits will not ship until next fall).  Log into www.fueluptoplay60.com to register your school for a FREE school kit and find other online tools for activation!  Order your kit now since quantities are limited.

February 25, 2010

Federal Nutrition Education Resources

This document provides a comprehensive compilation, with active links, of currently available federally published nutrition education resources. All items have been approved through the joint HHS and USDA Dietary Guidance Review process and provide federal nutrition recommendations based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005.
Click here for the PDF version, or for the TXT version.

Donate to the Backpack Buddies!

Backpack Buddies is a program that supports healthy, balanced eating over the weekend for elementary school children who may not have adequate resources. In order to ensure that the children are receiving the recommended nutrition needs, The Pediatric Healthy Weight Research & Treatment Center at the Brody School Of Medicine has created a reference sheet with ideas for food donations. Please go to www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/pedsweightcenter/upload/Backpack-ideas.pdf.

For information on how to donate items for this program contact your local food bank, food pantry or backpack program.

February 9, 2010

Meet The Taste Buddies!

This website from The American Institute for Cancer Research introduces kids to The Taste Buddies, six characters that each have a specialty in nutrition and fitness. Explore each of their worlds and learn fun facts about nutrition, how to prepare easy, delicious and healthy recipes, new games to increase fitness, and how to grow items in a garden to eat. Visit this kid-friendly website at www.thetastebuddies.org/?location_id=62.

NFSMI Is Now Part of the Social Network: FaceBook, YouTube and Twitter!

To become a fan of NFSMI on Facebook, click HERE.

To view dozens of short video clips on YouTube, including the Culinary Techniques Food Preparation demonstrations click HERE.

To follow NFSMI on Twitter and get the latest news click HERE.

January 8, 2010

Kids Eat Less Junk Food When Middle Schools Stop Providing It

Positive news from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University . Their researchers looked at six middle schools in Connecticut over two years. In the three target schools, snacks meeting current nutrition standards replaced items that did not meet the standards, while the foods at the three comparison schools remained the same. The results: kids ate less junk food at school and did not compensate by eating more at home. The article is published in the Journal of Health Education and Behavior 36(6), 2009. You can access the article at: www.cfah.org/hbns/archives/getDocument.cfm?documentID=22116 and click on the link at the bottom of the page.

December 21, 2009

Twenty-One Schools Receive HealthierUS School Challenge Mini-grants!

Congratulations to 21 Illinois elementary schools that have been awarded grants from the Illinois Nutrition Education and Training (NET) Program in preparation to take the HealthierUS School Challenge during the 2010 – 2011 school year. The HealthierUS School Challenge is a voluntary recognition program from USDA Food and Nutrition Service that recognizes outstanding achievement in healthier school environments. The Illinois NET Program is supported by the Illinois State Board of Education and the mini-grants have been provided by a 2009 USDA Team Nutrition Training grant. Click here to see a list of the winning schools.

December 18, 2009

New Resource to Prevent Stomach Illnesses at School: The Stomach Bug Book: What School Employees Need to Know

This booklet explains what you—the school employee—need to know about stomach illnesses at school. What are your responsibilities? How can you decrease the risks to yourself, your co-workers, and other students? How should you clean up? This booklet will answer these questions for you and provide you with tips to share with your co-workers, family, and the school community. Click here to download the booklet for free!

November 30, 2009

Press Release November 11, 2009: Science Supports the Important Role of Milk, including Flavored Milk, in Children's Nutrition

Leading health and nutrition organizations – including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, and the School Nutrition Association – recognize the valuable role that low-fat or fat-free milk, including flavored milk, can play in meeting daily nutrient needs, and helping kids get the daily servings of milk recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Click here to read the entire article from the American Dietetic Association: http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/media_23069_ENU_HTML.htm

USDA Child Care Recipes - Updated!

The recipes from the 1999 publication Child Care Recipes: Food for Health and Fun for the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program have been updated. USDA Recipes for Child Care consists of a booklet and 2 CD-ROMs. The booklet describes how to work with recipes, adjusting recipes, food safety information, and much more. The first CD contains the booklet text; tips for cooking, preparation, and storage; files of the recipes by name and number; “how to" instructions; food storage times, mini-posters on hand washing and thermometer usage. The second CD contains the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs.

Visit the USDA website for details: http://bit.ly/Dr0mo

The kit is available to child care centers and state agencies upon request from Team Nutrition.

October 20, 2009

New Nutrition Requirements Recommended for School Meal Programs

A new report from the Institute of Medicine states that the The National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program should adopt a new set of nutrient targets and standards to meet children's nutritional needs better and foster healthy eating habits. The recommended targets and standards would bring the programs in line with the latest information on nutrition and child health and with current dietary guidelines. For complete details: www.iom.edu/Reports/2009/School-Meals-Building-Blocks-for-Healthy-Children.aspx.

Upcoming Training

August 23, 2010

Illinois Safe Routes to School

IDOT has developed a series of webinars for any interested participants:

• The 5 E’s of SRTS: Encouragement, Education and Evaluation – Noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 7. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/636482650.
• The 5 E’s of SRTS: Enforcement and Engineering – Noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 21. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/669806330.
• The On-line School Travel Plan – Noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 5. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/760612059.
• The On-line Application – Noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 19. https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/211509643.

Registration information is available on the IDOT website at www.dot.il.gov/saferoutes. After registering you will receive confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the Webinar.

A daylong Safe Routes to School seminar will be held Sept. 1 in Woodridge. For more information or to register, contact Edward Iancu of Pedestrian Safety Solutions at eiancu@trafficcontrolcorp.com or 630-754-4434.

International Walk to School Day is slated for Oct. 6 this year. Walk to School 2010 is an international event where communities from more than 40 countries join together to walk and bicycle to school. Many schools celebrate October as Walk to School Month. Registration is free at http://www.walktoschool.org/register

August 10, 2010

New Afterschool Webinar from Illinois NET!

Refuel Afterschool with Food and Fitness is a free webinar training that will provide after-school program administrators and education staff with the tools and confidence to incorporate fun activities that teach kids from K-Grade 12 about eating right and being physically active.  Participants will discover resources for integrating evidence-based nutrition education activities into core subjects, hands-on food and gardening activities that promote healthy eating, non-competitive games and activities to get kids moving, and ways to reach out to parents to reinforce healthy behaviors at home. Guest speakers will share their success stories and attendees will learn about fun, interactive programs that can be integrated into core subject areas. Get information on federal child nutrition programs and requirements for after-school programs and a menu planning tool to provide fun, healthy and budget-friendly snacks for children in after-school programs.
This webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, September 22, 2010 from 10:00 to 11:15 am CST. Registration is now open at www.Kidseatwell.org

July 28, 2010

The creators of The Whole Plate: A Return to Real Foods curriculum are hosting a course for teachers who want to integrate fresh foods into their nutrition, cooking or science classes. Participants will harvest, cook, preserve and discuss real foods, from the farm to the kitchen and classroom. Jane Siemon, the author of the curriculum and special guest chef Monique Hooker will be the trainers.

The training is accredited by the University of Wisconsin but space is limited - only 16 students maximum. It is appropriate for FCS and nutrition educators, innovative science and social science teachers, and schools with gardens.

For a full description of the training go to: http://www.thewhole plate.org/ teacher-training

July 25, 2010

National Food Policy Conference - Food Safety and Child Nutrition

This conference is coordinated by the Consumer Federation of America, in cooperation with the Grocery Manufacturers Association. It will focus on food safety and child nutrition, two issues that have become critical concerns in recent months both domestically and internationally. This year’s conference will explore food safety reform at the Food and Drug Administration, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act and children’s health. Speakers and panelists will explore the connections between health policy and nutrition, how to regain consumer trust once it has been lost, and the implications of new media technologies on policy making, among other issues.

When: September 22-23, 2010

Where: Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C.

For more information: www.signup4.net/public/ap.aspx?EID=NATI283E&OID=50

June 1, 2009

These courses focus on basic skills food service assistants need in a child nutrition program. The four online courses are based on the four lessons of the On the Road to Professional Food Preparation Breakfast Lunch Training (BLT) module: Standardized Recipes, Weights and Measures, Portion Control, and Adjusting a Recipe. Click here for more information and to register. .

National Food Service Management Institute Training Resources

With the rising concern of food costs and food rationing, now more than ever portion control is important for your food service operation. Forecasting and serving the correct portion size will help to control the cost of food and prevent food waste.

Check out On the Road to Professional Food Preparation and Basics at a Glance poster as possible training resources for your operation.

Grant Opportunities

Saucony Run for Good Grant Program

This is a national grant that encourages schools to create a school-based program that increase participation in running in order to improve the healthy and well being of students. Preference is given to programs that would serve youth who would not traditionally be exposed to running programs due to lack of resources or lack of safe running routes.

$10,000 will be awarded to ten schools. Applications are accepted twice a year in June and December. For more information go to: www.sauconyrunforgood.com.Deadline for applications is Fall 2010.

IAHPERD (Illinois Association for Health, PE, Recreation and Dance) Program Enhancement Grant

This grant is for members of IAHPERD only and preference will be given to first time applicants. The proposed project must enhance, initiate, or continue an educational HPERD program. You can request a grant for up to $4000.00. Applicants must agree to present a summary of their outcomes to IAHPERD or write an article in the IAHPERD Journal within 3 years.

Applications are due September 1 and February 15 of each year. For details go to www.IAHPERD.org/textpages/grants/endowment.php.

Other Yearly Grant Opportunities for Programs that Support Children's Health

Outdoor Classroom Grant Program – Deadline: Rolling

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper and the International Paper Foundation, and National Geographic Explorer classroom magazine are awarding grants to K-12 schools and/or districts for $2,000-$20,000 for new or enhancing existing outdoor classrooms, including fruit and vegetable gardens. See www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/outdoor/index.html for more information.

Websites to Check for Funding Opportunities that Support Student Wellness

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors provides a web page that consolidates funding opportunities aimed at improving chronic diseases. Page available at:
ttp://www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3574

Center for Health and Health Care in Schools - grant opportunities for schools are posted at: www.healthinschools.org

USDA Team Nutrition - this webpage lists sources of wellness funding for local wellness policy initiatives at: http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Healthy/wellnesspolicy_funding.html

Illinois NET Program KidsEatWell.org - we post current grant opportunities for Illinois schools on this page (What's New) so be sure and bookmark it!

Illinois NET Program Illinois Schools Can! electronic newsletter updates subscribers on new grant opportunities. Sign up to receive a copy at: http://www.kidseatwell.org/ASP/ISCNewsletterForm.asp