School Lunch Program Award

I want to start this post by stating that this is not researched as well as it should be...it is just my opinion based upon the very little knowledge that I have.

My kids came home from school yesterday and told me that they had an assembly at school because their cafeteria received an award for adhering to Michelle Obama's school lunch guidelines. So, I looked it up a little...a very little. I found that the school received a bronze award...the other schools in our district on post received silver awards.  From what I could tell, it is based upon the menu (both breakfast and lunch), the percentage of kids that eat that menu, and physical activity in the school.

First off...kudos to the school for trying to be healthier!!  The lunches at my kids' school are much better than they ever were before...I do see changes being made in the right direction. That being said, my kids still get packed lunch because the food is not where I want it to be yet. I really don't know anything about the breakfast program as my kids have never taken part in that. When I asked them though, they said that hardly anyone in the school eats breakfast (which is why I believe they got bronze rather than silver) I'm not sure it's right to penalize them because of that...I really think that just goes back to the fact that there are very few students in our school that receive free/reduced meals.

My final thing is that I love the physical activity in the schools here. The have PE--not every day, but every 4th day :(  (that I wish was different), but they also have a significant amount of recess periods. The teachers make an effort even on indoor recess days to get the kids moving by having them do Just Dance or other similar programs in the classroom rather than just board games or computer time. They have an after school running club. (Our principal actually sets the example and is the running club coach--he runs right with them) Today my family is actually participating in a district wide 5K Fun Run. It is free and open to anyone. It has no timing and is just about getting out and moving. It is the end of year activity sponsored by the running clubs. My kids are getting ready to do field day...A HUGE day at their school. They have also done things with the KC Chiefs and their Play 60 program.  Brendan is actually participating in a Pass, Punt, and Kick competition with them on Monday.

My point...I'm very happy that my kids are being encouraged at school to be active...it is just a normal part of their school day. I am happy that the schools are attempting to make the lunches better...I hope that continues. Do we still have a way to go?? Of course! But, every step in the right direction is a positive move in my mind.

Have a happy, healthy eating, active kind of day!!