A study in the July/August issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior evaluates elementary teachers' overall acceptance and implementation of nutrition competencies in the classroom as part of their School Wellness Policy. The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, 2004, requires that all school districts have a Wellness Policy if they participate in federal school meal programs. As part of the Wellness Policy, schools are mandated to include nutrition education activities that promote student wellness.
The article "Mississippi Elementary School Teachers' Perspectives on Providing Nutrition Competencies under the Framework of Their School Wellness Policy" by Laurel G. Lambert, PhD, RD, LD; Ann Monroe, EdD; Lori Wolff, PhD, JD.that appears in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Volume 42, Issue 4 (July/August 2010) published by Elsevier paints a dismal picture of teachers participation and acceptance of their part in a revitalized School Wellness Policy in Mississippi.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-06/ehs-asw061410.php
For once Birminghamians can say their school system outshines the nation in the area of School
Wellness Policy.
The reason is:
Sherri Huff, Ed.D.
Program Specialist for Physical Education/Athletics, Birmingham City School District
Birmingham, Alabama
"As the Program Specialist for the Birmingham City Schools, Dr. Sherri Huff has gone beyond the call of duty to bring our schools the resources they need to promote physical activity and healthy eating."
Sharon Smith, Coach, Glen Iris Elementary School
Dr. Sherri Huff has been instrumental in bringing her school districts wellness efforts in line with
current best practices. She has linked district schools to community organizations that share
common wellness goals and has helped schools identify and obtain grants to fund wellness
programs. Whether it is hosting information sessions for parents about what they can do at home
to complement school wellness efforts or helping to build a school playground, Huff is a vital
and engaged presence who is always personally involved in efforts to make her schools, and her
community healthier places to learn, work and live.
Huff has worked at the district level, with individual principals and with each schools wellness
council leader to implement changes. She brainstorms with teachers at all levels and in
all subjects about creative ways of integrating wellness concepts into the classroom and
implementing physical activity throughout the school day. Recognizing that there are many
wonderful resources available to schools, she has reached out to community partners such as
Blue Cross Blue Shield that deliver no-cost wellness-related workshops to schools as well as
to experts such as Lisa Perry at the Healthy Schools Program, who conducted a mandatory
workshop on best practices in physical education for all district teachers.
For her success in bringing her district together around their support of healthy eating and active
living, Sherri Huff is a deserving recipient of the Healthy Schools Program Champion Award.
http://www.policyarchive.org/handle/10207/bitstreams/21258.pdf
Alabama mandated school-meal nutrition standards that are stricter than current USDA requirements in response to the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act 2004.
http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/help-create-wellness-program-your-local-schools
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