Wanda Dunn – College Hill Kitchen Manager 

Donna Minnich – Eugene Field Kitchen Manager

Connie Crumpton – Amanda Arnold Kitchen Manager

Rosa Trevino – Bluemont Kitchen Manager

Michelle Kleiner – Frank Bergman Kitchen Manager

Wilmarys Cruz – Lee Kitchen Manager

Rebeka Davis – Marlatt Kitchen Manager

Amber Walker – Northview Kitchen Manager

Jeanette Huffman – Ogden Kitchen Manager

Tomecia Reece – Oliver Brown Kitchen Manager

Kiley Velez – Theodore Roosevelt Kitchen Manager

Dawn Dunlap – Woodrow Wilson Kitchen Manager

Lisa Hill – Anthony Kitchen Manager

Stacy Reeder – Eisenhower Kitchen Manager

Lori Teel – MHS Kitchen Manager

Stephanie Smith – Director, Child Nutrition

Connie Thomas – Data Manager

Brandy Kile – Coordinator

You can apply from your phone/mobile device or a computer – Free and Reduced Online Application. We suggest you gather ahead of time the following information in order to apply:

• Household members names
• Student names
• Income amounts from: wages, pensions, retirement, child support, alimony, public assistance
• Last four digits of social security number of parent/guardian filling out the form (if you do not have a social security number there will be a box to mark no social security number).
• If you would prefer a paper copy of the free/reduced application in order to apply please contact the child nutrition office or your student's school or print it off at home and bring it to your student’s school.

 

Note:

If you only have students attending Bluemont Elementary, Lee Elementary, Northview Elementary, Ogden Elementary, or Woodrow Elementary then you do not fill out the free/reduced meal application. All students attending any of the listed schools will receive meals at no charge as these schools are participating in CEP (Community Eligibility Provision). If your students attend these schools and you want to see if you qualify for free or reduced fees you will want to fill out the household economic survey during online registration.

Not sure which form to fill out? Please contact either the district business office or child nutrition for clarification. If your student’s school was not mentioned above, you will want to fill out the free/reduced meal application to see if you qualify. A new Free/Reduced meal applications must be completed each school year.

 

All information shared is kept confidential.

Printable Free/Reduced Meal Application – English – Spanish

Frequently Asked Questions 

We hope this FAQ section clarifies any questions you may have about our child nutrition department. If you have additional inquiries or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Your child's health and well-being are our top priorities, and we're here to support them on their journey to success! 

• LINQ Connect FAQ
  • If you have more questions about LINQ Connect, please reach out to the Child Nutrition department
• What meal options are available for my child?
  • Our child nutrition department offers a variety of nutritious and balanced meal options, including breakfast and lunch. Some schools may also have access to the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) that provides fresh fruits and vegetables as additional meal options.
• Unlike many other departments in the school, the Food Service Department is a financially self-supporting, non-profit entity and must generate its own revenue to cover its expenses.
  • School food service departments are the entities responsible for providing school meals. This involves purchasing food, paying staff salary and benefits, as well as repairing and replacing equipment. Contrary to popular belief, the food service department does not receive money from the school budget or the local government. Revenue for school meals comes from federal reimbursements that subsidize part of the meal costs, while student payments for full price and reduced price meals, adult meal payments, a la carte food and beverage sales, and make up the remainder of revenue needed to cover costs.
• But doesn’t the federal government reimburse schools for the full price of the meals?
  • No. Federal reimbursements cover a portion of the cost of school meals, but not all. USD383 average cost to prepare a school meal during the 2024-25 school year was $5.01, yet the maximum federal reimbursement for a free lunch in SY 2024-25 was only $4.86.
• Does that mean that the kids who pay for their meals subsidize the free meals?
  • Is that why meal prices are going up? Rising food and fuel prices nationwide and the higher cost of healthy foods such as fresh fruits and whole grains have put significant financial pressure on school food service departments. School districts nationwide are increasing their prices in order to cover their costs. All meal price increases must be approved by the local school board.
• How can I view the school menu?
  • You can access the school menu through the districts website or the LINQ app. The menu is regularly updated to provide a glimpse of the delicious and healthy meals we serve each day.
• Are allergens labeled on the menu?
  • Yes, we take food allergies seriously. Allergens are clearly labeled on the menu to ensure the safety of students with dietary restrictions. If your child has specific allergens, please let us know, and we'll work together to provide appropriate meal options.
• How do I set up a meal account for my child?
  • To set up a meal account for your child, you can access the online payment system with LINQ. Depositing funds into the account allows your child to enjoy meals conveniently without carrying cash daily. 
• What payment methods are accepted?
  • We accept various payment methods, including online payments, checks, and cash. Online payments can be made through our secure payment portal on the school's website. There is a small convenience fee to make payments online
• Can I apply for free or reduced-price meals?
  • Yes, we participate in federal meal programs that provide eligible families with the option to apply for free or reduced-price meals. Applications are available online or at the school office. Free/reduced applications can be submitted at any time throughout the school year, however applications are not retroactive.
• How can I get involved in school nutrition activities?
  • We welcome parent involvement in our food service programs! You can participate in events like National School Lunch Week (NSLW) or School Breakfast Week (NSBW), provide feedback on menus, or volunteer in our nutrition education initiatives.- not sure if we are here yet to have parents volunteering, maybe put something about joining your student for lunch but check with your students school on any visitor policies
• What safety measures are in place during meal service?
  • Our child nutrition team follows strict health and safety guidelines to ensure the well-being of our students. We maintain a clean and hygienic environment, adhere to food safety protocols, and monitor food temperatures regularly.
• How can I offer feedback or suggestions regarding school meals?
  • We encourage parent feedback as it helps us continually improve our services. You can provide feedback through our website, email, or by contacting the child nutrition office directly.

USD 383 is committed to the safety and health of all students. Many of our students suffer from environmental, medical, or food-related allergies. We strive to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for students with allergies and reduce the likelihood of severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. We want to ensure a rapid and effective response in the case of a severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.  Requirements for meal modification requests through child nutrition vary depending on whether a student has a disability or whether it is a food allergy or intolerance that does not rise to the level of a disability. Child Nutrition will make meal modifications prescribed by a licensed physician or dietician when a student has a disability. (See the definition of disability on the meal modification form). When a student has a food allergy or intolerance, or other medical condition that does not rise to the level of a disability, child nutrition has the option of making a meal modification requested by a medical authority.

Meal modifications will continue until the licensed physician or dietician or medical authority requests that it be changed or stopped (Form 19-C Discontinuation of School Meal Modifications Form).

If you would like nutritional or allergy information on any of our items please contact us at 785-587-2851.

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Meal Modification Form – English

Meal Modification Form – Spanish

2025-26 Meal Prices

Full Price Student Breakfast: $1.95

Reduced student breakfast: $0.30

Full Price Student Lunch: $3.90

Reduced student lunch: $0.40

Adult Breakfast: $3.00

Adult Lunch: $5.50

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Meal Charging Procedure

USD 383 recognizes that a child’s nutrition is very important to the successful learning experience. Students are encouraged to participate in school breakfast and lunch programs to receive healthy and nutritious meals that meet USDA standards. To ensure that students have access to meals, the following procedure has been established to address low balances, meal charges, and alternate meals. Parents are expected to have money available in their student’s meal accounts, or pay cash for all meal purchases. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to keep adequate funds in their student’s accounts.

Meal Prepayments

Parents are encouraged to pre-pay for school meals. USD383 uses Titan to accept online meal payments. Parents have the ability to set up a secure online account. This allows for parents to make deposits by credit card, view balances, view transaction activity and print off free/reduced status letters. Parents can choose to receive balance notifications or set auto-payments. Meal prepayments can also be made by cash or check directly at your child’s school building. If a student brings money for the cost of a meal on a given day, the student will be allowed to eat that daywith no regards to the negative balance.

Free and Reduced Meal Applications

Free and Reduced Meal Applications are available online and in school offices. Families are encouraged to apply online Applications are accepted anytime during the school year. For assistance with completing an application, please contact the Nutrition Services office at 785-587-2783.

Communication to Parents / Collection of Debt

Parents/guardians are expected to keep their student’s account balances current and are responsible for all debt incurred from meal charges. All meal accounts are expected to be paid in full at the end of each school year. Negative account balances at the end of the school year will be carried over to the next school year, and collection attemptswill continue.

Unpaid Meal Charges

The districts meal charging requirements are as follows.

• Free lunch status students will not be allowed to have a negative account balance. Free lunch status allows a child to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day there is a full day of school. A La Carte items are not part of the USDA program, this includes milk purchased separately from a reimbursable meal. If a student would like to purchase A la Carte items they must have funds on their accounts to do so.
• Reduced lunch status will be allowed to have a negative account balance up to a maximum dollar equivalent of five (5) days of reduced priced meal which will be known as the “charge limit.” Reduced lunch status allows a child to receive reduced priced breakfast at $0.30 and reduced price lunch at $0.40. A la Carte items are not part of the USDA program. If a student would like to purchase A la Carte items they must have funds on their account to do so. Once the charge limit is reached the student will not be provided a meal from the food service department until the account is brought back to a positive status. At least one written warning shall be provided to a student and his/her parent or guardian prior to denying meals for exceeding district’s charge limit.
• Full priced students will be allowed to charge up to a maximum dollar equivalent of five (5) days of meals which will be known as the charge limit. If a student would like to purchase A la Carte items they must have funds on their account to do so. Once the charge limit is reached the student will not be provided a meal from the food service department until the account is brought back to a positive amount. At least one written warning shall be provided to a student and his/her parent or guardian prior to denying meals for exceeding the districts charge limit.
• Adult Meals Adults are not allowed to charge any meals. There is no exception to this policy.

We recognize that nutrition education is an essential component of the educational process and forming lifelong healthy behaviors. Our department presents nutrition education to students in kindergarten, second grade and fourth grade using fun and interactive curriculum.

Northview and Ogden elementary qualify for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. This program provides all children in participating schools with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day separate from breakfast and lunch at no cost to parents. The goal of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program is to:

• Expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience  
• Create healthier school environments by providing healthier  food choices
• Increase children’s knowledge of nutritional value of fresh fruits and vegetables  
• Increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption
• Make a difference in the children's diet to impact their present and future health

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Other Food Resources

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Services

Nourish Together

Food Safety Information

With children being at a higher risk of food borne illnesses food safety is a top priority. Ongoing training is provided through the KSDE and all school site food service managers, leads, and primary production staff are required to have training on food safety. Food preparation and transport is carefully monitored through Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards. School kitchens and dining areas are inspected by Kansas Department of Ag (KDA) twice a year.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

   (1)   mail
           U.S. Department of Agriculture
           Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
          1400 Independence Avenue, SW
           Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

   (2)   fax:
           (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

   (3)   email:
           program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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USDA Nondiscrimination Statement - Spanish Translation

De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluyendo identidad de género y orientación sexual), discapacidad, edad, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles.

La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés. Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios alternos de comunicación para obtener la información del programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano (ASL), etc.) deben comunicarse con la agencia local o estatal responsable de administrar el programa o con el Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877-8339.

Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, el cual puede obtenerse en línea, de cualquier oficina de USDA, llamando al (866) 632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida a USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse a USDA por:

   (1)   correo:
           U.S. Department of Agriculture
           Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
           1400 Independence Avenue, SW
           Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

   (2)   fax:
           (833) 256-1665 o (202) 690-7442; or

   (3)   correo electrónico:
           program.intake@usda.gov

Esta entidad es un proveedor que brinda igualdad de oportunidades.

Kansas Schools' Wellness Policy Data for current wellness data – select “Child Nutrition & Wellness Reports”

Printable District Wellness Plan

Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Wellness Plan

Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 (hereto referred to as the District) is committed to the optimal development of every student. The District believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental and social success, we need to create positive, safe and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year.

Research shows that two components, good nutrition and physical activity before, during and after the school day, are strongly correlated with positive student outcomes. For example, student participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) School Breakfast Program is associated with higher grades and standardized test scores, lower absenteeism and better performance on cognitive tasks. Conversely, less-than-adequate consumption of specific foods including fruits, vegetables and dairy products, is associated with lower grades among students. In addition, students who are physically active through active transport to and from school, recess, physical activity breaks, high-quality physical education and extracurricular activities – do better academically. Finally, there is evidence that adequate hydration is associated with better cognitive performance.

This plan outlines the District’s approach to ensuring environments and opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day while minimizing commercial distractions. Specifically, this plan establishes goals and procedures to ensure that:

• Students in the District have access to healthy foods throughout the school day ‒ both through reimbursable school meals and other foods available throughout the school campus‒ in accordance with Federal and state nutrition standards;
• Students receive quality nutrition education that helps them develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors;
• Students have opportunities to be physically active before, during and after school;
• Schools engage in nutrition and physical activity promotion and other activities that promote student wellness;
• School staff are encouraged and supported to practice healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviors in and out of school;
• The community is engaged in supporting the work of the District in creating continuity between school and other settings for students and staff to practice lifelong healthy habits; and
• The District establishes and maintains an infrastructure for management, oversight, implementation, communication about and monitoring of the plan and its established goals and objectives. This plan applies to all students, staff and schools in the District. Specific measurable goals and outcomes are identified within each section below.

 

This plan applies to all students, staff and schools in the District. Specific measurable goals and outcomes are identified within each section below.

School Wellness Committee

1. Committee Role and Membership
   The District will convene a representative district wellness committee (hereto referred to as the DWC or work within an existing school health committee) that meets at least three times per year to establish goals for and oversee school health and safety plans and programs, including development, implementation and periodic review and update of this district-level wellness plan (heretofore referred as “wellness plan”).
   
   The DWC membership will represent all school levels (early learning, elementary and secondary schools) and include (to the extent possible), but not be limited to: parents and caregivers; students; representatives of the school nutrition program (e.g., school nutrition director); physical education teachers; health education teachers; school health professionals (e.g., health education teachers, school health services staff [e.g., nurses, physicians, dentists, health educators, and other allied health personnel who provide school health services], and mental health and social services staff [e.g., school counselors, psychologists, social workers, or psychiatrists]; school administrators (e.g.., superintendent, principal, vice principal), school board members; health professionals (e.g., dietitians, doctors, nurses, dentists); and the general public. To the extent possible, the DWC will include representatives from each school building and reflect the diversity of the community. In addition each school within the District will establish an ongoing Local School Wellness Committee (LSWC) that convenes to review school-level issues, in coordination with the DWC.
    
2. Leadership
   The District Food Service Director will convene the DWC and facilitate development of and updates to the wellness plan. Each school will designate a school wellness plan coordinator, who will ensure compliance with the plan.
    

Wellness Plan Monitoring, Accountability and Community Engagement

This wellness plan and the progress reports can be found on the Child Nutrition webpage of the USD 383 website.

1. Recordkeeping
   The District will retain records to document compliance with the requirements of the wellness plan at the food service office. Documentation maintained in this location will include but will not be limited to:

• The written wellness plan;
• Documentation demonstrating that the plan has been made available to the public;
• Documentation of efforts to review and update the Local Schools Wellness Plan; including an indication of who is involved in the update and methods the district uses to make stakeholders aware of their ability to participate on the DWC; 
• Documentation to demonstrate compliance with the annual public notification requirements;
• The most recent assessment on the implementation of the local school wellness plan;
• Documentation demonstrating the most recent assessment on the implementation of the Local School Wellness Plan has been made available to the public.
   

2. Annual Notification of Plan
   The District will actively inform families and the public each year of basic information about this plan, including its content, any updates to the plan and implementation status. The District will make this information available via the district website and/or district-wide communications. The District will provide as much information as possible about the school nutrition environment. This will include a summary of the District’s or school events or activities related to wellness plan implementation. Annually, the District will also publicize the name and contact information of the District/school officials leading and coordinating the committee, as well as information on how the public can get involved with the school wellness committee.
    
3. Triennial Progress Assessments
   At least once every three years, the District will evaluate compliance with the wellness plan to assess the implementation of the plan and include:

• The extent to which schools under the jurisdiction of the District are in compliance with the wellness plan;
• The extent to which the District’s wellness plan compares to state and federal requirements.
• A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the District’s wellness plan. The position/person responsible for managing the triennial assessment and contact information is the District Food Service Director.

The DWC, in collaboration with individual schools, will monitor schools’ compliance with this wellness plan.
 

4. Revisions and Updating the Plan
   The DWC will update or modify the wellness plan based on the results of the triennial assessments and/or as District priorities change; community needs change; wellness goals are met; new health science, information, and technology emerges; and new Federal or state guidance or standards are issued. The wellness plan will be assessed and updated as indicated at least every three years, following the triennial assessment.
    

Nutrition

1. School Meals
   Our school district is committed to serving healthy meals to children, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat milk; that are moderate in sodium, low in saturated fat, and have zero grams trans-fat per serving (nutrition label or manufacturer’s specification); and to meeting the nutrition needs of school children within their calorie requirements. The school meal programs aim to improve the diet and overall health of school children, help mitigate childhood obesity, model healthy eating to support the development of lifelong healthy eating patterns and support healthy choices. All schools within the District participate in USDA child nutrition programs that they qualify for, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP), After School Care Snack Program (ASCSP), Child and Adult Breakfast, Lunch and Snack Programs (CACFP), the At-Risk Supper Programs and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). All schools within the District are committed to offering school meals through the NSLP and SBP programs, and other applicable Federal child nutrition programs, that:

• Are accessible to all students;
• Are appealing and attractive to children;
• Are served in clean and pleasant settings;
• Meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established by local, state, and Federal statutes and regulations.
• Promote healthy food and beverage choices using Smarter Lunchroom techniques:
  • Fresh Fruit and/or Vegetable options
  • Sliced or cut fruit is available daily.
  • Daily fruit options are displayed in a location in the line of sight and reach of students.
  • All available vegetable options have been given creative or descriptive names.
  • Daily vegetable options are bundled into all grab-and-go meals available to students.
  • All staff members, especially those serving, have been trained to politely prompt students to select and consume the daily vegetable options with their meal.
  • Alternative entrée options (e.g., salad bar, yogurt parfaits, etc.) are highlighted on posters or signs within all service and dining areas.
  • A reimbursable meal can be created in any service area available to students (e.g., salad bars, snack rooms, etc.). − Student surveys and taste testing opportunities are used to inform menu development, dining space decor and promotional ideas.
  • Student artwork is displayed in the service and/or dining areas.
  • Menus will be posted on the District website or individual school websites, and will include nutrient content and ingredients.
  • School meals are administered by a team of child nutrition professionals.
  • The District child nutrition program will accommodate students with special dietary needs.
  • Allergen information will be made available to students and parents
  • Students will be allowed at least 10 minutes to eat breakfast and at least 20 minutes to eat lunch, counting from the time they have received their meal and are seated.
  • Students are served lunch at a reasonable and appropriate time of day.
  • Participation in Federal child nutrition programs will be promoted among students and families to help ensure that families know what programs are available in their children’s school.
     

2. Staff Qualifications and Professional Development
   All school nutrition program directors, managers and staff will meet or exceed hiring and annual continuing education/training requirements in the USDA professional standards for child nutrition professionals. These school nutrition personnel will refer to USDA’s Professional Standards for School Nutrition Standards website to search for training that meets their learning needs.
    
3. Water
   To promote hydration, free, safe, unflavored drinking water will be available to all students throughout the school day* and throughout every school campus* (“school campus” and “school day” are defined in the glossary). The District will make drinking water available where school meals are served during mealtimes.

• Water cups/jugs will be available in the cafeteria if a drinking fountain is not present or accessible.
• All water sources and containers will be maintained on a regular basis to ensure good hygiene and health safety standards. Such sources and containers may include drinking fountains, water jugs, hydration stations, water jets and other methods for delivering drinking water.
• Students will be allowed to bring and carry (approved) water bottles filled with only water with them throughout the day.
   

4. Competitive Foods and Beverages
   The District is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages available to students on the school campus* during the school day* support healthy eating. The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (e.g., “competitive” foods and beverages) will, at a minimum, meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. Smart Snacks aim to improve student health and well-being, increase consumption of healthful foods during the school day and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits. A summary of the standards and information is available in the Guide to Smart Snacks in Schools.
   
   To support healthy food choices and improve student health and well-being, all foods and beverages outside the reimbursable school meal programs that are sold to students on the school campus during the school day will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks nutrition standards. These standards will apply in all locations and through all services where foods and beverages are sold, which may include, but are not limited to, à la carte options in cafeterias, vending machines, school stores and snack or food carts.
    
5. Celebrations and Rewards
   The District will work towards all foods offered on the school campus meeting or exceeding the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards as well as meeting or exceeding state nutrition including through:

• Celebrations and parties. The district will provide a list of healthy party ideas to parents and teachers, including non-food celebration ideas. Healthy party ideas are available from the USDA. All parties and celebrations will not be held until at least one hour after lunch.
• Classroom snacks brought by parents. The District will provide to parents a list of healthy options for foods and beverages that meet Smart Snacks nutrition standards.
• Rewards and incentives. The District will provide teachers and other relevant school staff a list of alternative ways to reward children. Foods and beverages should not be used as a primary reward, or withheld as punishment for any reason, such as for performance or behavior
   

6. Fundraising
   Foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards may be sold through fundraisers on the school campus* during the school day*. The District will make available to parents and teachers a list of healthy fundraising ideas.
   
   Schools will limit the use of food fundraisers and encourage non-food fundraisers promoting physical activity (such as walk-a-thons, Jump Rope for Heart, fun runs, etc.).
   
   Fundraisers during school hours will sell only non-food items or foods and beverages that meet or exceed the Smart Snacks nutrition standards.
    
7. Nutrition Promotion
   Nutrition promotion and education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using evidence-based techniques and nutrition messages, and by creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and encourage participation in school meal programs. Students and staff will receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. Nutrition promotion also includes marketing and advertising nutritious foods and beverages to students and is most effective when implemented consistently through a comprehensive and multi-channel approach by school staff, teachers, parents, students and the community.
   
   The District will promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students throughout the school campus, as well as encourage participation in school meal programs. This promotion will occur through at least ensuring 100% of foods and beverages promoted to students meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
    
8. Nutrition Education
   The District will teach, model, encourage and support healthy eating by all students. Schools will work towards providing nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that:

• Is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health;
• Is part of not only health education classes, but also integrated into other classroom instruction through subjects such as math, science, language arts, social sciences and elective subjects;
• Includes enjoyable, developmentally-appropriate, culturally-relevant and participatory activities, such as cooking demonstrations or lessons, promotions, taste-testing, farm visits and school gardens;
• Promotes fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products and healthy food preparation methods;
• Emphasizes caloric balance between food intake and energy expenditure (promotes physical activity/exercise);
• Links with school meal programs, cafeteria nutrition promotion activities, school gardens, Farm to School programs, other school foods and nutrition-related community services;
• Teaches media literacy with an emphasis on food and beverage marketing; and
• Includes nutrition education training for teachers and other staff.
   

9. Essential Healthy Eating Topics in Health Education
   The District will work to include in the health education curriculum a minimum of 12 of the following essential topics on healthy eating:

• Relationship between healthy eating and personal health and disease prevention
• Food guidance from MyPlate
• Reading and using FDA's nutrition fact labels
• Eating a variety of foods every day
• Balancing food intake and physical activity
• Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grain products
• Choosing foods that are low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol and do not contain trans fat
• Choosing foods and beverages with little added sugars
• Eating more calcium-rich foods
• Preparing healthy meals and snacks
• Risks of unhealthy weight control practices
• Accepting body size differences
• Food safety
• Importance of water consumption
• Importance of eating breakfast
• Making healthy choices when eating at restaurants
• Eating disorders
• The Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• Reducing sodium intake
• Social influences on healthy eating, including media, family, peers and culture
• How to find valid information or services related to nutrition and dietary behavior
• How to develop a plan and track progress toward achieving a personal goal to eat healthfully
• Resisting peer pressure related to unhealthy dietary behavior
• Influencing, supporting, or advocating for others’ healthy dietary behavior
   

10. Food and Beverage Marketing in Schools
    The District is committed to providing a school environment that ensures opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day while minimizing commercial distractions. The District strives to teach students how to make informed choices about nutrition, health and physical activity. These efforts will be weakened if students are subjected to advertising on District property that contains messages inconsistent with the health information the District is imparting through nutrition education and health promotion efforts. It is the intent of the District to protect and promote student’s health by permitting advertising and marketing for only those foods and beverages that are permitted to be sold on the school campus, consistent with the District’s wellness plan.
    
    Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus* during the school day* will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards such that only those foods that comply with or exceed those nutrition standards are permitted to be marketed or promoted to students.
    
    Food and beverage marketing is defined as advertising and other promotions in schools. Food and beverage marketing often includes an oral, written, or graphic statements made for the purpose of promoting the sale of a food or beverage product made by the producer, manufacturer, seller or any other entity with a commercial interest in the product.15 This term includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Brand names, trademarks, logos or tags, except when placed on a physically present food or beverage product or its container.
• Displays, such as on vending machine exteriors
• Corporate brand, logo, name or trademark on school equipment, such as marquees, message boards, scoreboards or backboards (Note: immediate replacement of these items are not required; however, districts will replace or update scoreboards or other durable equipment when existing contracts are up for renewal or to the extent that is in financially possible over time so that items are in compliance with the marketing plan.)
• Corporate brand, logo, name or trademark on cups used for beverage dispensing, menu boards, coolers, trash cans and other food service equipment; as well as on posters, book covers, pupil assignment books or school supplies displayed, distributed, offered or sold by the District.
• Advertisements in school publications or school mailings.
• Free product samples, taste tests or coupons of a product, or free samples displaying advertising of a product.
  
  As the District/school nutrition services/Athletics Department/PTA/PTO reviews existing contracts and considers new contracts, equipment and product purchasing (and replacement) decisions should reflect the applicable marketing guidelines established by the District wellness plan.

Physical Activity
Children and adolescents should participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. A substantial percentage of students’ physical activity can be provided through a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP). A CSPAP reflects strong coordination and synergy across all of the components: quality physical education as the foundation; physical activity before, during and after school; staff involvement and family and community engagement and the district is committed to providing these opportunities. Schools will ensure that these varied physical activity opportunities are in addition to, and not as a substitute for, physical education (addressed in “Physical Education” subsection).

Physical activity during the school day (including but not limited to recess, classroom physical activity breaks or physical education) should not be withheld as a primary means of punishment. Withholding physical activity if necessary will be left to the building administrators discretion when deemed appropriate. Staff may use limited recess options in place of free play when necessary to reinforce positive behavior after alternative strategies of discipline have been explored. This does not include participation on sports teams that have specific academic requirements.

To the extent practicable, the District will ensure that its grounds and facilities are safe and that equipment is available to students to be active. The District will conduct necessary inspections and repairs.

The District will work with schools to ensure that inventories of physical activity supplies and equipment are known and, when necessary, will work with community partners to ensure sufficient quantities of equipment are available to encourage physical activity for as many students as possible.
 

Physical Education
The District will provide students with physical education, using an ageappropriate, sequential physical education curriculum consistent with national and state standards for physical education. The physical education curriculum will promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and will help students develop skills to engage in lifelong healthy habits, as well as incorporate essential health education concepts (discussed in the “Essential Physical Activity Topics in Health Education” subsection). The curriculum will support the essential components of physical education.

All students will be provided equal opportunity to participate in physical education classes. The District will make appropriate accommodations to allow for equitable participation for all students and will adapt physical education classes and equipment as necessary.

All District elementary students in each grade will receive physical education for at least 60-89 minutes per week throughout the school year.

All District secondary students (middle and high school) are required to take the equivalent of one academic year of physical education.

The District physical education program will promote student physical fitness through individualized fitness and activity assessments (via the Presidential Youth Fitness Program or other appropriate assessment tool) and will use criterion-based reporting for each student.

Students will be moderately to vigorously active for at least 50% of class time during most or all physical education class sessions.

All physical education teachers in the district will be required to participate in at least a once a year professional development in education.

All physical education classes in district are taught by licensed teachers who are certified or endorsed to teach physical education.

Waivers, exemptions, or substitutions for physical education classes are not granted.

Essential Physical Activity Topics in Health Education

Health education will be required in all grades (elementary) and the district will require middle and high school students to take and pass at least one health education course. The District will include in the health education curriculum a minimum of 12 the following essential topics on physical activity:

• The physical, psychological, or social benefits of physical activity
• How physical activity can contribute to a healthy weight
• How physical activity can contribute to the academic learning process
• How an inactive lifestyle contributes to chronic disease
• Health-related fitness, that is, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition
• Differences between physical activity, exercise and fitness
• Phases of an exercise session, that is, warm up, workout and cool down
• Overcoming barriers to physical activity
• Decreasing sedentary activities, such as TV watching
• Opportunities for physical activity in the community
• Preventing injury during physical activity
• Weather-related safety, for example, avoiding heat stroke, hypothermia and sunburn while being physically active
• How much physical activity is enough, that is, determining frequency, intensity, time and type of physical activity
• Developing an individualized physical activity and fitness plan
• Monitoring progress toward reaching goals in an individualized physical activity plan
• Dangers of using performance-enhancing drugs, such as steroids
• Social influences on physical activity, including media, family, peers and culture
• How to find valid information or services related to physical activity and fitness
• How to influence, support, or advocate for others to engage in physical activity
• How to resist peer pressure that discourages physical activity.
   

Recess (Elementary)

All elementary schools will offer at least 20 minutes of recess on all days during the school year This plan may be waived on early dismissal or late arrival days. If recess is offered before lunch, schools will have appropriate hand-washing facilities and/or hand-sanitizing mechanisms located just inside/outside the cafeteria to ensure proper hygiene prior to eating and students are required to use these mechanisms before eating. Hand-washing time, as well as time to put away coats/hats/gloves, will be built in to the recess transition period/timeframe before students enter the cafeteria.

Outdoor recess will be offered when weather is feasible for outdoor play. Students will be allowed outside for recess except when outdoor temperature is above/below District-set temperature, inclusive of wind chill factors, during “code orange” or “code red” days, during storms with lightening or thunder, or at the discretion of the building administrator based on his/her best judgment of safety conditions.

In the event that the school or district must conduct indoor recess, teachers and staff will follow the indoor recess guidelines that promote physical activity for students, to the extent practicable. Each school will maintain and enforce its own indoor recess guidelines.

Recess will complement, not substitute, physical education class. Recess monitors or teachers will encourage students to be active, and will serve as role models by being physically active alongside the students whenever feasible.

Classroom Physical Activity Breaks (Elementary and Secondary)

The District recognizes that students are more attentive and ready to learn if provided with periodic breaks when they can be physically active or stretch. Thus, students will be offered periodic opportunities to be active or to stretch throughout the day on all or most days during a typical school week. The District recommends teachers provide short (3-5-minute) physical activity breaks to students during and between classroom time at least three days per week. These physical activity breaks will complement, not substitute, for physical education class, recess, and class transition periods.

The District will provide resources and links to resources, tools, and technology with ideas for classroom physical activity breaks. Resources and ideas are available through USDA and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Active Academics

Teachers will incorporate movement and kinesthetic learning approaches into “core” subject instruction when possible (e.g., science, math, language arts, social studies and others) and do their part to limit sedentary behavior during the school day.

The District will support classroom teachers incorporating physical activity and employing kinesthetic learning approaches into core subjects by providing annual professional development opportunities and resources, including information on leading activities, activity options, as well as making available background material on the connections between learning and movement.

Teachers will serve as role models by being physically active alongside the students whenever feasible.

Other Activities that Promote Student Wellness

The District will integrate wellness activities across the entire school setting, not just in the cafeteria, other food and beverage venues and physical activity facilities. The District will coordinate and integrate other initiatives related to physical activity, physical education, nutrition and other wellness components so all efforts are complementary, not duplicative, and work towards the same set of goals and objectives promoting student well-being, optimal development and strong educational outcomes.

Schools in the District are encouraged to coordinate content across curricular areas that promote student health, such as teaching nutrition concepts in mathematics, with consultation provided by either the school or the District’s curriculum experts.

All efforts related to obtaining federal, state or association recognition for efforts, or grants/funding opportunities for healthy school environments will be coordinated with and complementary of the wellness plan, including but not limited to ensuring the involvement of the DWC/SWC.

All school-sponsored events will adhere to the wellness plan guidelines. All school-sponsored wellness events will include physical activity and healthy eating opportunities when appropriate.

Community Partnerships

The District will continue relationships with community partners (e.g., hospitals, universities/colleges, local businesses, SNAP-Ed providers and coordinators, etc.) in support of this wellness plan’s implementation. Existing and new community partnerships and sponsorships will be evaluated to ensure that they are consistent with the wellness plan and its goals.

Community Health Promotion and Family Engagement

The District will promote to parents/caregivers, families, and the general community the benefits of and approaches for healthy eating and physical activity throughout the school year. Families will be informed and invited to participate in school-sponsored activities and will receive information about health promotion efforts.

As described in the “Community Involvement, Outreach, and Communications” subsection, the District will use electronic mechanisms (e.g., email or displaying notices on the district’s website), as well as non-electronic mechanisms, (e.g., newsletters, presentations to parents or sending information home to parents), to ensure that all families are actively notified of opportunities to participate in school-sponsored activities and receive information about health promotion efforts.

Staff Wellness and Health Promotion

The DWC will also focus on staff wellness issues, identify and disseminate wellness resources and performs other functions that support staff wellness in coordination with human resources staff. The Director of Human Resources will be an active member of the DWC. The District will use a healthy meeting plan for all events with available food options, created by the SWC/DWC or one that currently exists that optimizes healthy food options with a variety of choices and selections of healthy foods for a variety of dietary needs.

Professional Learning

When feasible, the District will offer annual professional learning opportunities and resources for staff to increase knowledge and skills about promoting healthy behaviors in the classroom and school (e.g., increasing the use of kinesthetic teaching approaches or incorporating nutrition lessons into math class). Professional learning will help District staff understand the connections between academics and health and the ways in which health and wellness are integrated into ongoing district reform or academic improvement plans/efforts.

Glossary

Extended School Day – the time during, before and after school that includes activities such as clubs, intramural sports, band and choir practice, drama rehearsals and more.

School Campus - areas that are owned or leased by the school and used at any time for school related activities, including on the outside of the school building, school buses or other vehicles used to transport students, athletic fields and stadiums (e.g., on scoreboards, coolers, cups, and water bottles), or parking lots.

School Day – the time between midnight the night before to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day.

Triennial – recurring every three years

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Dear Manhattan-Ogden Staff, Parents and Supporters,

Children who learn to live healthy have a better chance to live longer and learn better. By establishing healthy habits early in life, children can dramatically reduce their health risks and increase their chances for longer, more productive lives.

A wide variety of research continues to demonstrate the positive correlation between health and learning and that they are mutually reinforcing. The benefits that can arise from proper nutrition and physical activity are a prerequisite to optimal learning and to avoiding and preventing chronic diseases.

The brain is malleable when responding to biological and environmental factors, which proves an important attribute for learning. Research indicates the quality of foods children eat impacts cognition — with poor nutrition linked with absenteeism, hunger symptoms and psychosocial problems. Brain-imaging studies show that the brains of aerobically fit children may exhibit superior executive-function control. Physical activity, regardless of whether it’s during recess, in the classroom or in physical education class, may improve school performance and achievement.

Recent controlled studies involving brain imaging are providing new insights on the effects of exercise and obesity on cognition. These studies are providing visual evidence of the neurophysiological impact of physical activity, or the lack of, on children. With the help of neuro imaging we are learning that physical fitness may benefit cognitive and brain health, as well as academic performance. Even short periods of aerobic exercise have been shown to benefit cognitive performance. Research indicates aerobic fitness levels of school children may be associated with cognition and its neural underpinnings.

These are strong standards and may be a challenge to implement in our school district. We realize it takes years to develop habits related to nutrition and physical activity, and even with increased knowledge, it will take time to develop new behaviors to improve our health.

The District Wellness Team has developed educational handouts and brochures. This brochure should be distributed at PTO/Site Council meetings and will be placed on the district’s website. We hope that you will find these tools helpful as we work to implement the Wellness Plan.

We are looking forward to working with you on this process. We all understand that wellness is imperative to our student’s health, happiness, and academic growth.

Thank you for your assistance in this transition to a healthier community.

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Indoor Recess Ideas

Each school has their own plan as to when students stay in from recess due to the weather. Students need physical activity even if the weather is not cooperating. Providing active options inside can be challenging, but also can be a reality. With indoor recess often being unstructured, the ideas below are options students can lead with a small group or an entire class. In addition, the physical education teacher may have age appropriate ideas that each grade level has enjoyed during physical education class.

1. Yoga Cards
   Can be purchased, but could be made using pictures of students doing the yoga moves. Making them on letter size paper and laminating them helps extend their life.
    
2. Fit Spots
   Can be purchased or made using sheets of foam paper (they do not move like regular paper). Each spot can have a different physical activity…10 jumping jacks, 5 sit ups, etc. Have the students make them so they include activities they like. These can be set up in stations around the classroom.
    
3. Physical Activity Dice
   Can be purchased or made using square tissue boxes. One dice has numbers on each side, the other has a physical activity. With a roll, they have a new physical activity to master. Roll a 5 and toe touches. The group of students does 5 toe touches.
    
4. Movement Jenga
   Write physical activities on each Jenga block. When a child successfully removes a block they lead the activity, with the entire group participating.
    
5. Stories in Motion
   A collection of stories that include action words that prompt physical activity. One idea is to have older students read the stories to younger classes.
    
6. Music
   Sometimes just turning on some music and letting them dance is all you need to do. Looking for kid-friendly music? Check out the Kids Bop collections. They tend to be popular.
    
7. Screen Time
   If screen time is utilized, a best practice is to have it promote physical activity. Go Noodle.com has a library of videos, such as Run With Us featuring Olympic Athletes. A free account is required to access them.

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10 Simple Activities to Encourage Physical Activity in the Classroom

1. Secret Password
   Every day establish a secret password activity such as 5 jumping jacks, stand on one foot for 5 second, hop three times, etc. Then establish when the students need to use the secret password – after a drink of water, before receiving a hand out, entering the classroom, etc.
    
2. Walking Worksheet
   Tape worksheets on the wall, easel and chalkboard. Students move from worksheet to worksheet and answer the different questions.
    
3. Opposite Hunt
   Divide the classroom in half. Half of the class write a word on an index card. The other half writes the definition. Shuffle the cards and hand one card to each student. The students must move around the classroom and match the word with the definition. For younger students, march up sight words, letters or numbers. Try math problems and solutions.
    
4. Pencil Jumps
   For a quick movement break in between lessons have each student place a pencil on the floor, Jump over the pencil a designated number of times.
    
5. Race in Place
   When reviewing material, have the students stand up and run in place by their desks. On the teacher’s signal, students stop running in place, listens to question and writes down the answer on paper.
    
6. Daily Rule
   Establish a new daily rule every day that includes physical activity – walk backwards to the drinking fountain, tip toe to the bathroom, stretch before sitting in the chair. See if you can catch the students forgetting the daily rule.
    
7. Shredder
   Cut up worksheets in quarters. Student can help scatter the worksheets around the floor face down. One the teacher’s signal, the student can crawl around on the floor, find the four quarters of the worksheet, complete the worksheet and give it the teacher.
    
8. Push Up Line Up
   When the students line up against the wall to leave the classroom, have each student face the wall and perform 10 wall pushups. After all pushups have been completed, the class can walk in the line.
    
9. Mobile Math
   Divide the class in half to review math problems. the student can stand at their desks with paper and pencil on desk. Call out a math problem such as 4 plus 5 = ? One half of the class jumps 4 times and the other half jumps 5 times. Each student writes down answer on paper. Continue with other math problems. Vary movements.
    
10. Q and A Stretching
    Provide students with paper at desk. Student can stand or sit. Ask a question and student writes down the answer (very large) on one sheet of paper. Each student hold paper up, with two hands overheard to stretch. Teacher checks answers. Multiple choice questions work best.
     

Looking for more motor activity ideas? Visit Your Therapy Source

 

Dear Manhattan-Ogden Staff, Parents and Supporters,

Children who learn to live healthy have a better chance to live longer and learn better. By establishing healthy habits early in life, children can dramatically reduce their health risks and increase their chances for longer, more productive lives.

The USDA came out with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommends limits on added sugars in our daily diet. The American Heart Association has issued its own recommended daily limits on added sugar specifically for children ages 2-18, which backs up these findings from the USDA. Our mission is to limit the use of sugary foods in the classroom as a reward, celebration, and fundraiser.

Food in the classroom contributes to childhood obesity, which now adversely affects one in three of American children. If used as a reward, runs counter to the recommendations of leading medical organizations and potentially sets children up for a lifelong struggle with eating. Overrides children’s own hunger cues, and encourages them to eat simply because food is presented to them. Puts food-allergic children at risk, or else excludes them. Undercuts the school’s own nutrition education.

Most schools and organizations use fundraising activities to supplement budgets and pay for equipment, materials, supplies, trips, and other events. Unfortunately, many of these fundraisers presently involve the sales of candy, baked goods and other foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium.

It’s true these fundraisers can make money for organizations; however, students pay the price with rising obesity rates and poor diets. Many healthy fundraising alternatives are available that are not only practical, but also profitable for the school and organization. These fundraisers support healthy eating and physical activity, provide consistent healthy messaging, and support parents’ efforts to feed their children nutritious foods.

In July 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture finalized rules on local wellness plans. Under these rules, districts must now set a nutritional standard for classroom food and development. The Federal Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act has strong language incorporated requiring every school district to strengthen their wellness plans. Our goal is to consistently keep our wellness plan current and strong for the benefit of our students.

These are strong standards and may be a challenge to implement in our school district. We realize it takes years to develop habits related to nutrition and physical activity, and even with increased knowledge, it will take time to develop new behaviors to improve our health.

The District Wellness Team has developed educational handouts and brochures. This brochure should be distributed at PTO/Site Council meetings and will be placed on the district’s website. We hope that you will find these tools helpful as we work to implement the Wellness Plan.

We are looking forward to working with you on this process. We all understand that wellness is imperative to our student’s health, happiness, and academic growth.

Thank you for your assistance in this transition to a healthier community.
 

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USD 383 Healthy Rewards and Celebrations Information

Food in the classroom contributes to childhood obesity, which now adversely affects one in three of American children. If used as a reward, runs counter to the recommendations of leading medical organizations and potentially sets children up for a lifelong struggle with eating. Overrides children’s own hunger cues, and encourages them to eat simply because food is presented to them. Puts food-allergic children at risk, or else excludes them. Undercuts the school’s own nutrition education.

Here are the specific contexts in which children are given “junk food” in the class and address them in turn. Junk food is usually offered…

1. Individual student reward:

• Handed out by the teacher for good behavior or academic performance
  • Instead, use “social rewards”, which involve attention, praise, or thanks, are often more highly valued by children than a toy or food.
  • You could also use recognition.
    • Certificate or ribbon in recognition of achievement or a sticker.
    • Could recognize child’s achievement on school-wide morning announcements.
    • Email or letter sent home to parents
  • Privileges
    • Going first
    • Sitting next to a friend
    • No homework pass
    • Helping teacher
    • Making deliveries to the office
    • Choosing a class activity
       

2. As a large-scale group reward (pizza, ice cream parties):

• For meeting some class-wide goal, such as selling the most items for a fundraiser or collecting the most Box Tops.
  • Here are some examples of rewarding the class
    • Extra recess
    • Eating lunch outdoors
    • Going to lunch first
    • Extra art, P.E., or music time
    • Listen to music while working
    • Playing a game
       

3. As a teaching tool:

• When a teacher uses M&M’s for counting games or has children build objects out of candy.
  • Can use colorful and fun manipulatives that do not cost any more than candy, such as colorful buttons, pennies.
     

4. Celebrate an individual child’s birthday:

• The child’s parent normally brings this in.
• Some non-food examples for birthdays
  • Bring in special party napkins (or party hats) to use with the usual school snack
  • Get a special “recess pass” and choose the main activity the class does at recess time.
  • Bring in your favorite book and the teacher will read it to the class.
  • Give a gift to the class, such as a book (write an inscription inside), a toy for the play area, or a game.
  • Be “VIP of the week”: Make a timeline of your life, have your parents read to the class one day, and have other students interview you about your favorite things.
  • Get a card from the class. All the students sign it saying what they like most about you.
  • Get a special sticker or crown to wear at school all day. 
  • Have your parents provide a special craft for the class that day.
  • Pick out of a birthday prize box that includes fun pencils, temporary tattoos, stickers, and small toys.
     

5. Classroom parties:

• September  
  • Celebrate without food – shift the focus from food to fun
  • Limit each party to include no more than one junk-food item
  • Create a healthy snack list and parents sign up to bring an item from the list
• October 
  • Instead of candy, try small toys like temporary tattoos, stickers, small plastic spiders or ghosts, spooky plastic rings or false teeth
  • Healthy party snack ideas: apple cider, apples with caramel or yogurt dip, pumpkin dip and graham crackers, roasted pumpkin seeds, snack cups of canned peaches or mandarin oranges (canned in juice or light syrup), oranges, cantaloupe, tangerines, mangos or dried peaches, carrots with low-fat ranch dressing, use Halloween cookie cutters to make sandwiches or fruit look frightfully delicious.
• November  
  • Have students write or draw a picture about what they are thankful for and share it with the class
  • Create a garland of gratitude. Cut leaf shapes out of construction paper and then crinkle them up to create the lines in a leaf. Flatten them out and have children write what they are grateful for. Use a piece of string and tape the stem of the leaf over the string. Display garland in class.
  • Do a service project as a class field trip.
  • Healthy Party Snacks: turkey roll ups, spread apple butter on whole grain English muffins or graham crackers, serve warm apple cider, pumpkin dip.
• December/January
  • Have students make holiday cards for nursing home residents or decorate a pillow case to give to a homeless shelter
  • Go caroling and sing for other classes or at a senior center
  • Decorate the classroom with a winter theme (snowflakes, snowmen)
  • Collect personal care products and prepare kits for a homeless shelter or take a service project field trip to visit a nursing home, homeless shelter, food bank
  • Make snow globes out of baby food jars and white glitter or plastic snowflakes. Fill with water until a half inch is left at the top (use a hot glue gun to seal the lid)
  • Healthy Party Snacks: hollow out red and green peppers and fill them with a dip like low-fat ranch, hummus, or guacamole and serve with vegetables, make fruit kabobs and alternate red and green apples or red and green grapes; serve green beans, broccoli and tomatoes with a low-fat dip
• February
  • Have students white down one positive comment about each classmate and pass them out
  • Create a Valentine’s Day card holder – cut a paper plate in half, have children paint or color the plate and their name on it. Use a hole punch to cut holes around the button curve of the plat. Stitch the 2 halves together with colorful ribbon and string. Make a handle with strong so children can hang them at their desk.
  • Healthy Party Snacks: Cherry tomatoes and red peppers served with hummus or ranch dressing; serve strawberries, raspberries, dried cranberries, red grapes, pomegranate or apple slices.
  • Very-berry pink smoothies. 
• March
  • Teach an Irish step dance
  • Decorate the room with shamrocks made from construction paper
  • Plan a St. Paddy’s day scavenger hunt that leads to a pot of gold filled with treasures such as markers, pens, pencils, etc.
  • Read about Irish history or a story about St. Patrick
  • Healthy Party Snacks: serve kiwi (cut in half and served with a spoon), have cucumber, celery sticks, broccoli, sugar snap peas. green beans, and green peppers with hummus or a low-fat dressing/dip, serve whole grain tortilla chips with guacamole, try edamame – it’s fun to eat and easy to serve
• April /May
  • Plan a nature walk to see plant re-awakening in the spring weather
  • Decorate plastic eggs with paints and stickers and put physical activity messages on the inside of the egg (hop on one foot 5 times or do 6 jumping jacks)
  • Decorate flower pots for parents and plant a flower or seed
  • Healthy Party Snacks: carrot muffins, carrots with hummus or low-fat ranch dressing, berries with cool whip, fruit smoothies

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Acceptable Fundraising Ideas

Candy, baked goods, soda and other foods with little nutritional value are commonly used for fundraising at school. Schools may make money selling these foods, but students pay the price with rising obesity rates and poor diets. An environment that constantly provides children with sweets promotes unhealthy habits that can have a lifelong impact. Schools can help promote a healthy learning environment by using healthy fundraising alternatives that are not only practical but profitable.

Non-Food Items to Sell

• Activity Theme bags
• Bakeless Bake Sale (parents donate the money to the school they would have spent at a bake sale)
• Bath accessories
• Balloon bouquets
• Batteries
• Books, calendars
• Brick/stone/tile memorials
• Buttons, pins
• Candles
• Coffee cups, mugs
• Crafts
• Coupon Books
• Donations
• Emergency kits for cars
• Elementary yearbooks
• First Aid kits
• Flowers and bulbs
• Foot warmers
• Football seats
• Garden seeds
• Giant coloring books
• Gift baskets
• Gift certificates
• Gift items
• Gift-wrap, boxes, bags
• Greeting cards
• Garden supplies
• Hats
• Holiday wreaths
• House decorations
• Jewelry
• Magazine subscriptions
• Motherʼs Day gifts
• Monograms
• Music, videos, CDʼs
• Newspaper space, ads
• Nearly Nu (Consignment thrift store)
• Online auction
• Pet treats/toys/accessories
• Pocket calendars
• Raffle donations
• Rent a special parking space
• Scarves
• School art drawings
• Spirit/seasonal flags
• Stadium pillows
• Stationery
• Temporary tattoos
• Tupperware
• Valentine flowers
• Yearbook covers
   

Customized Merchandise

• Bumper stickers/decals
• Calendars
• License plates or holders with school logo
• Logo air fresheners
• School frisbees
• School spirit gear
• Souvenir cups
• T-shirts/sweatshirts
   

Fundraising Events

• 3-on-3 basketball tourney
• Auction
• Battle of the Bands
• Bike-a-thon
• Bowling night/bowl-a-thon
• Car wash (pre-sell tickets)
• Carnivals
• Charity baseball, soccer, etc. tourney
• Dances (kids, father/daughter, Sadie Hawkins)
• Dunk tank
• Family game nights
• Festivals Fun runs
• Gift wrapping
• Golf tournament
• Jump-rope-a-thon
• Magic show
• Milk mustache photos
• Music Marathon
• Penny War – A school “penny war” is a fun way to raise money with classrooms competing against each other. The “penny war” could last for a month or a set number of weeks. Jars are placed outside of each classroom at the start of the day and end of the day. For every penny added to the jar a classroom would receive one point. Every nickel, dime or quarter added and the class loses points according to the value of the coin. A dollar in the jar and the class loses 100 points. Kids are allowed to place coins and dollars in any jar they want, so they could make a classroom with the most points that day lose points by placing everything but pennies in the jar. Points are posted every day and the money is collected in the office at the end of the day where student helpers wrap pennies, nickels, dimes and so forth. At the end of the month, the class with the most points wins an extra recess for the day/week or other healthy prize.
• Raffle (movie passes, theme bags)
• Raffle (teachers do a silly activity)
• Rent-a-teen helper (clean windows, wash dog, mow lawns)
• Recycling cans, bottles, and/or paper
• Seasonal “Message Grams” Valentineʼs Day affection, St. Patrickʼs Day Luck of the Irish, Holiday Cheer, Homecoming Fun, Welcome Back to School, etc.
• Seat cushion sales – sell advertisements to local business for $50-100. Sell cushions for small fee.
• Silent auctions singing telegrams
• Skate night/skate-a-thon
• Sled-a-thon
• Spring, fall or winter yard work – ask for donation for work done
• Talent shows
• Treasure hunt/scavenger hunt
• T-shirts at local printing company
• Walk-a-thon
• Workshops/classes
   

Avoid the following fundraisers

• Bake sales
• Candy, cookie dough and baked goods
• Coupons or gift cards for unhealthy food or fast-food restaurants
• Pizza sales
• Butterbraids

Smart Snacks in Schools