TO:                  Claudia Geocaris

      

FROM:            The VMC Committee

 

DATE:                        March 4, 2005

 

Report on Food and Nutrition Study

at Hinsdale South High School

 

Hinsdale South’s vision statement demonstrates a commitment to the success and well being of all members of the community. Therefore, a focus on food and nutrition is necessary, as it directly affects student achievement and growth.  A Wellness Policy is needed where everyone must unite to achieve definite goals with a common purpose to foster a partnership in learning.

 

In the spring of 2004, in response to suggestions concerning connections between what people eat and drink and the way they learn and behave, the VMC began an inquiry into the food service here, in our neighboring schools, and across the country.  Obesity in children, which is on the increase in our national population, was another prompt for this study.

 

Our inquiry continued during this school year of 2004-2005 year with an examination of national literature from The Center for Disease Control and from California, Texas, Arkansas, and  Wisconsin.  Several states, including Illinois, as well as individual school districts are mandating change in food and beverage offerings in schools.  In addition, The Vision Mission Committee investigated neighboring districts on their current policies and actions concerning food and nutrition. 

 

Regarding South’s current practices, committee members spoke with our food service provider, Sodexho, and with school nurse, Debbie Sansone, and Activity Director, Brett Goad.  To determine use of the food service, what is purchased, and frequency of purchases from the cafeteria or vending machines, a food service survey was completed by the South staff and a representative sampling of about 25% of the student population.

 

Summary of Findings:

 

The consensus of the VMC is that our food service is committed to providing students with healthy choices.  Revisions are made on a daily basis to menu offerings which reflect current research and best practices in nutrition.  Sodexho also continues to be open to further changes to improve nutritional options.

 

Through surveys and conversation, it became evident that cost of food and time in line are personal factors in determining whether or not the food services at Hinsdale South are used.  For example:

 

• Soda filled with calories from sugar is less expensive than water or juice. 
• Many members of the school population bring food from home because of the high cost of purchasing food at school.
• When so much time is spent in line to choose and purchase food, little time is left to eat and enjoy.

 

Attached you will find a review of current research as follows:

 

• Summary of Nutrition Reform in High Schools
• Summary of Nutritional Influence on Learning
• Research from Local Schools
• Staff and Student Surveys, Results, and Survey Comments
• Local and National Published Articles
• Time Magazine
• Daily Herald
• Green Earth Institute
• USDA Child Nutrition Program
• Well Being Journal
• American School Board Journal
• Article from March 2005 NEA Today
• Other

 

Recommendations:

 

As Hinsdale South is to be an exemplary learning community where everyone seeks to implement strategies for improving student achievement, we recommend the following with regard to Food and Nutrition:

 

1.      Convene a Wellness Committee, consisting of PE teacher, health teacher, Activities Director, Family and Consumer Science teacher, other faculty and staff, student member(s), and community member(s), to meet with the food service periodically with the primary goals of removing non-nutritional items from what is served, adding nutritional items, monitoring the vending machines, and promoting education regarding healthy food choices.

 

            a.  At the end of the current contract, if not before, remove vending machines selling only                           sugar-laden soft drinks.  Allow machines to be refilled primarily with water, pure fruit juice, and reduced-fat milk products including flavored milks at a reasonable cost.

       

            b.  Eliminate soft drink offerings in the line.

 

       c.  Limit fried food to at most once per week.

 

       d.  Reintroduce usage of water bottles during the school day.

 

 

As Hinsdale South is to be an exemplary learning community where everyone unites to achieve definite goals, we recommend the following with regard to Food and Nutrition:

 

2.      Limit candy sales for fund-raising to outside of school hours.  Allowing these sales during the day contradicts the policy of no food in classrooms.  With this in mind, find alternative fund-raising opportunities and phase them in to replace candy.

 

As Hinsdale South is to be an exemplary learning community where everyone facilitates student growth, we recommend the following with regard to Food and Nutrition:

 

3.      Some students may not know about healthy food alternatives.  Promote education in Health and Science classes on good nutritional choices.  Make it possible for students to try healthy food alternatives.

 

a.  Explore the possibility of introducing food stations into the cafeteria.  Stations could offer soup, chili, salads, yogurt, and fresh fruit.

 

b.  Explore the possibility of introducing taste testing days: days on which there might be samples of sushi, red beans and rice, fruit kabobs, etc.

 

As Hinsdale South is to be an exemplary learning community where everyone demonstrates a commitment to the success and well-being of all members, we recommend the following with regard to Food and Nutrition:

 

4.   The Wellness Committee may see fit to recommend basic changes in policy.

 

a.   Explore the possibility of extending lunch periods by five to ten minutes allowing more time for eating, digesting, socializing.

 

b.      Make more healthy food available after school hours for students in extra-curricular activities to meet their needs.

 

c.       Explore the costs associated with healthy food.  Suggestion - price soda at $1.00 and water at $.50.  Let those who purchase soda help subsidize those who wish healthier choices.

 

Based on all of the above research, we believe that there is a definite need to explore a change in our Food and Nutrition here at Hinsdale South and District 86 as a whole.  In addition to our findings, there is federal legislation that will be put in place (effective school year 2006-2007) which will require schools to establish a local wellness policy (See information from the USDA website).  By initiating the policies suggested by our committee, we will be one step closer to embracing the goals of this federal program.