School Wellness Councils: Parents Take an Active Role
L.P. Collins Elementary School, Cupertino, CA & El Monte City School District, CA
As part of the Healthy Schools Program, participating schools form a School Wellness Council (SWC) - and in California, many parents have embraced the opportunity to participate. Overwhelmingly, parents in Cupertino and El Monte, California report wanting to take action to help their kids be healthier, and they recognize how important it is for schools to support physical activity and provide nutritious foods and beverages.
One parent of a 4th grader who attends L.P. Collins Elementary School in Cupertino, California reports, "I read about the SWC in the school's wellness newsletter. We are all concerned about obesity and the SWC is helping us take a huge step toward addressing the problem. Already we're seeing changes - fundraisers have to meet the Food and Beverage Guidelines created by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and healthier choices are being offered in the classroom and at special events."
Similarly, a mother of two children at L.P. Collins has joined the SWC. "I want to make sure our school lunches are healthy and balanced. By working with the SWC, parents can do something to make sure kids have more nutritious choices at school and we can help engage our children in physical activities - both at home and at school," she said. All parents seem to agree that education regarding healthy food choices should go hand in hand with other academic subjects. "Nutrition education should happen in the classroom and parents need to pay attention as well," comments another concerned parent.
There's similar sentiment from an El Monte parent with three children at Columbia Middle School. "In the past, I did not know as much, but now that I'm part of the SWC, I have added more fruits and veggies to my kids' meals and cut back on the junk food," she said. "To many parents, participating in a SWC is an opportunity to confront childhood obesity in their very own homes."
PROFILE
Parents are taking part in the campaign to create healthier school environments for their children.
