| Categories |
Adopt marketing techniques to promote healthful choices; Make more healthful foods and beverages available |
| Problem Overview |
- 3,100 total students, northeast of Hartford
- 3 percent of students eligible for free and reduced-price school meals
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| Program/Activity Description |
Teacher Carol Goodrow turned her passion for nutrition and physical activity into a successful program for her Parker Memorial Elementary School special education resource room. Her Healthy Snackers Ultra-Marathon generated enthusiasm among students and parents. To get the program up and running, the classroom chose their favorite snack time (morning) and brainstormed a list of 50 nutritious snack items. Large wall charts of the healthy snacks were posted in the classroom; students received rewards (name on chart and small toy trinkets) for being the first person to bring an item and recognition (stickers) for bringing any healthy snack food to school. The program was designed to encourage classroom teamwork, to get children invested in healthier eating, and to teach the value of snacks from all food groups.
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| Program/Activity Outcome |
- More information and photos of the program can be found online.
- This focus on healthful eating and physical activity was extended into other activities, including an end-of-the-year classroom family fun run (Run Spot Run) and a school-wide visit from elite athlete Mr. Eddy Hellebuyck, the first runner from the USA to cross the finish line at the 2003 Boston Marathon. Ms. Goodrow worked with the school food service director to serve a brown bag lunch, suggested by Mr. Hellebuyck, for the whole school during the athlete’s daylong visit. Lunch participation was at record levels as children and their parents enjoyed a bean burrito with salsa, corn or fresh veggies, assorted fresh fruits, and low-fat milk. Using healthy doses of fun and student involvement, these programs provided positive nutrition experiences in both the classroom and cafeteria. The success of “Eddy’s lunch menu” also opened the door for future collaborations with the school food service program.
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| Words of Wisdom |
"If you distribute a notice asking parents to provide a ‘healthy’ snack for their child, more often than not, they send in something that is considered junk food. Therefore, a caring teacher has the responsibility of being a strong role model for children, by eating nourishing snacks in front of them. Teachers should also bring in healthy snacks for kids to sample and set up incentive programs in the classroom to reward children for healthful eating. Children will take the nutritional message home and this way, teachers can educate the parents through the children."
— Carol Goodrow, Teacher, elementary school |
| Program Contact |
Carol Goodrow |