It’s Becoming Part of the School Culture

Jill Anderson is in her seventh year as principal at Lakewood Elementary. She got involved with school administration as a health teacher then a school counselor.   As a former health educator Jill knows the importance of health and wellness education.

What changes have you seen around the school and with students since the implementation of the program?

It‘s incredible changes. The jargon of the program, like Power Picks, has been picked up. I’ve seen changes in classroom snacks, and students’ choices are changing. We had a Field Day at the end of the year and the students were saying “Oh, I need to have fruit juice…”. It’s becoming part of the school culture. Even the teaching staff is making changes. The staff room had unhealthy snacks and the kids would walk by and say “Is that a Power Pick?” and the teachers said “Okay, we’re going to have to either shut the door or have healthier snack options.” It’s very kid-driven, not adult driven. I honestly can’t speak highly enough about it.

How do kids respond to the HSP curriculum, what do kids like the best about the program? Do students respond differently depending on their age?

They only did the program in Fourth Grade here. As far as the feedback I’ve gotten, the kids love the food tasting and activities. They also like that the lessons are short, mini lessons – they don’t get those a lot, it’s usually long lessons, so that’s one part of the program they really like.

What has been the response of teachers, school administrators and other staff in your school toward the Healthy Schools Partnership program? How do they support the program?

I took the head RD Nutrition coach in charge of our training to where the teachers were eating to ask them their feedback. There wasn’t one negative comment. I know that probably sounds like I’m making a commercial for you; but it was awesome. They only thing they said was that they wished it could have been a year-long program, they thought it was too short this year. Whoever designed the program did a nice job, it’s a very well designed program.
 

In the context of this program how important is it for kids to have role models who help influence and guide kid’s choices after the program is completed?

It’s essential. If we can keep the ratios of students to instructors down, and give them that role model, it’s invaluable – because usually the kids who need the most help won’t talk if that ratio is too big.

What does this program mean in context of the effort to prevent childhood obesity in the US?

At the beginning, I thought it was an interesting approach. I was a bit hesitant to see if it worked, I was unsure if there would be kid buy-in, but I think there is. I think the program is a great answer, and that changing at the elementary level provides a good foundation.