ER9 WELLNESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MEETING

April 7, 2008

 

Present: Bon Tempo, Breyer, Bunce, Cohen, Downey, Haber, Mas, Metcalf, D. Preis, Smith, Zamore

 

Mr. Bon Tempo called the meeting to order at 1:35 pm.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Motion: move to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2008, meeting as submitted.  Approved.  Unanimous.

 

UPDATE OF FAMILY UNIVERSITY

 

The committee continued our discussion regarding the focus of our presence at Family University on May 19th from 6:30 – 9:00.  It was decided that the committee would have members located at an information table along with literature (i.e., Wellness Policy, Healthy Snack Alternatives, etc.) and potentially show clips from the Two Angry Moms video.  Committee members would be accessible to answer questions related to the policy and/or purpose of the committee.

 

Mrs. Smith updated the committee on the program she will be presenting that evening titled “Balancing Inputs”.  The purpose of the program is to help individuals understand how to make better choices when it comes to their health.  Mrs. Metcalf announced that she will be contributing salad and fruit to the dinner portion of the evening.

 

Currently Mrs. Mas, Mr. Bon Tempo, Mrs. Preis, Mrs. Metcalf, Mrs. Downey, and Mrs. Bunce will be available to represent the committee that evening.  At this time the committee agreed that the following materials will be made available to the public:  the District Wellness Policy; state guidelines for alternative rewards; state guidelines for alternative celebration ideas; and the newsletter developed by Mrs. Metcalf.

 

At this point in the meeting Mrs. Haber and Dr. Cohen spoke to the committee about the efforts of an Easton resident who could potentially make a positive impact on the committee.  Dr. Cohen spoke of a school whose nutrition program is the focus for the school philosophy and utilizes many organic foods.  Mrs. Metcalf mentioned that in order to increase the organic food presence at the schools there would be need to raise the lunch prices.

 

UPDATE OF ER9 FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

 

Mrs. Metcalf announced the introduction of a bag lunch option for the students of Samuel Staples Elementary School and Redding Elementary School.  The lunch includes a sandwich, fruit, and vegetables.  Many students have shown an interest in purchasing this item.

 

Mrs. Bunce recently attended RES and spoke to students about nutrition.  She entertained questions from the students and introduced them to the topic of adventurous eating.

 

Mrs. Metcalf spoke to the committee about the wellness workshop presented to the Joel Barlow staff and mentioned the vast interest in the cooking workshop presented.  The committee agreed that more professional development in the schools related to the wellness policy would be valuable.

 

Ideas related to the introduction of programs that reward students for choosing nutritious foods in the lunchroom were discussed.  At this point, Mrs. Smith questioned the possibility of developing a committee to meet with SODEXO regarding the development of such programs.  Mrs. Smith also mentioned the portion of the contract that allows for such a meeting to occur.

 

Mrs. Smith expressed an interest in fundraising for filters and water programs that can be utilized in the schools.

 

UPDATE OF SURVEY SUB-COMMITTEE

 

Mrs. Preis mentioned the state wellness assessment workshop she had previously attended which offered suggestions of websites to visit when developing surveys.  It was agreed that there should be an on-line version of the survey, as well as a hard copy available to the parents/guardians.  The committee agreed on five goals that the survey should aim to meet which could offer parents/guardians information related to nutrition.

 

UPDATE OF COMMUNICATION SUB-COMMITTEE

 

Mrs. Mas mentioned that Mrs. Cram in Central Office is currently working on a site that would be dedicated to providing information to parents/guardians regarding wellness.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

No public present.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Mrs. Mas shared information provided by Dr. Fossbender that pertained to education related legislation (e.g. healthy teens, bullying, and school breakfast programs).

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:46 pm.