Submitted by: Spring Park Home and School Association
WHEREAS we know that making time for physical activity and nutrition in school does not detract from academics; it’s an investment in higher academic performance, with studies showing that healthy kids get better grades, attend school more often and behave better in class, and
WHEREAS research on properly fueling your body supports the concept of consuming frequent healthy meals and snacks and drinking lots of water, five to seven times per day, as the best way to enhance cognitive performance and keep blood sugar levels constant, and
WHEREAS recognizing that students should have a nourishing snack and water every three to four hours, students would benefit from a 10 minute healthy snack time separate from recess to boost energy and facilitate learning;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the PEI Home and School Federation requests the Public Schools Branch to develop policy for the purpose of implementing a 10 minute healthy snack time apart from recess in all schools in Prince Edward Island to contribute to overall student health and learning.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
| Destination: | Department of Education, Early Learning and Culture Department of Health and Wellness Health PEI |
Education, Early Learning, and Culture:
The concept of a “Provincial School Food Strategy” would need to be positioned as part of a larger provincial food strategy or initiative. Although it is recognized that schools are a key setting to influence the healthy eating habits of both students and staff (through formal education, school nutrition policies, and health promoting environments) this work would need to be imbedded within a larger provincial strategy. All stakeholders within the education system, as well as other departments, business sectors and community partners, would need to be engaged in any future discussions. The School Food Guiding Principles, recently adopted by the PEIHSF, would be an important consideration to include in this work.
As you know, the PEI Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is currently leading the development of a new Community Food Security and Food Education Program. This new program is the result of community and grass-root organizations who have identified that local food systems should be a priority. This program will include support for three local food pilot projects in schools which will aim to increase the amount of local food available on lunch menus. Other small grants will be administered to support projects which increase local food education in schools; knowledge of where food comes from; community food security partnerships; and sustainable models. Applications for funding will be reviewed and adjudicated by a committee of government and community representatives who will make recommendations to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The results of these projects, in which the Department of Education, Early Learning and Culture, Public School Branch, Department of Health and Wellness and PEIHSF representatives are key partners, will help us collectively understand local food systems and how to increase school's access.
The Department of Health and Wellness remains a key partner in supporting the healthy eating environment in schools. Two new Healthy Eating Officers have been visiting schools to explore school specific needs regarding breakfast/snack program implementation, school nutrition policy adherence, and other areas of interest. Their future work will include a possible revision of the School Nutrition Policy, which was first adopted in 2005 by elementary/consolidated schools, then expanded to include intermediate and senior high schools in 2011. The revision process would engage all school stakeholders (i.e., students, teachers, parents, government and community) in the discussion. During the revision process, key elements, such as appropriate time for lunch and eating lunch after outside play, would be important components to consider carrying forward.