I recently wrote about the wonderful work that PENCIL is doing to build and support relationships between business leaders and principals to transform NYC public schools through innovative methods. Nutrition has become a new area of concentration in the Pencil program.
On the heels of Michelle Obama’s Healthy Kids Initiative and a federal effort to push junk food out of schools, PENCIL has seen dozens of school leaders turn to the business community to help combat childhood obesity. Examples of the diverse Partners focused on healthy living from our network of more than 350 schools include:
1. John Lyons and Principal Celia Kaplinsky of PS 216, located in Brooklyn, have recently been collaborating on a project to create the first "Edible Schoolyard" at a New York City public school. The concept, developed by the Chez Panisse Foundation, involves a curriculum and student lunch program where students grow and learn about their own food. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the origins of food, plant life cycles, and how to prepare nutritional food. They are also working on a fundraising campaign that will allow them to create and sustain the garden at the school.
2. Co-Partners Maria Ingardia and Shelia Brody of Green Spa and Principal Franca Conti of PS 217 began working together in 2008 to improve students’ health and wellness. The principal cited a need for students to have more physical activity, so the Partners collaborated on a wellness day for teachers, which included yoga and pilates classes, health drinks and lectures by a nutritionist and acupuncturist. They are currently orchestrating an exercise component for the school's after-school program. Future plans include creating health education workshops and wellness trips for mothers in order to increase parent involvement at this school which serves a large and very diverse population.
3. Since 2003, PENCIL Partners Robert Arning (KPMG) and Principal Barbara Brown of Don Pedro Albizu Campos/PS 161 have developed projects in a diverse array of areas and most recently have launched a unique initiative that aims to improve students’ health and inspire lifelong healthy lifestyle choices. Their “Spring Girls on the Run” mentoring program pairs female students ages 10 and 11 with KPMG employees to develop their running endurance and ability.
4. Since last year, John Stevenson has been working with Principal Stacy Winnit of New Heights Academy Charter School to enhance the culinary arts and improve students’ diets. Stevenson has held several sessions with the school’s cooking club that provide hands-on demonstrations of healthy recipes. Students then prepare the dishes for their peers at lunch to help increase interest in nutritious foods throughout the school.
5. Paul Neuman and Principal Sana Nasser of Harry S. Truman High School have worked together since 2005 to enhance the curriculum of the school's Culinary Arts Program with an emphasis on healthy eating. Through Neuman’s support, the program was certified by the Culinary Institute of America. Mr Neuman facilitates field trip opportunities for students to institutions such as the French Culinary Institute and Whole Foods, where students observe cooking demonstrations that often feature healthy ingredients and cooking methods.
If you are interested in partnering with Pencil, or work for a school that would like to be matched through Pencil, go to the Pencil website or call 646-638-0565. Whether your interest is nutrition or any area of help, Pencil will welcome you.
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