Across America, we are currently experiencing a youth mental health crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 7.1% of US children aged 3-17 have diagnosed anxiety, while 3.2% of US children aged 3-17 have diagnosed depression.…
Across the US, we are experiencing a youth mental health crisis. With more young people experiencing hopelessness, anxiety, and depression, and a drastic shortage of mental health providers, many teachers are increasingly becoming beacons of hope for their students. Through …
Research conducted in school cafeterias has highlighted ways to guide children toward making better food choices. One overlooked area of school cafeterias that deserves further study is the atmosphere/ambiance. The ambiance of a cafeteria can be easily overlooked because it …
Research shows by teaching kids to cook they shop differently, fill their plates differently, and consider their impact on the environment differently. However, for various reasons, children are often absent when the family meal is being prepared. One way to …
In the quest to deliver educational value in bold and exciting mediums, In-School Cook-Offs blend practical cooking skills with innovative nutrition education. These fun, exciting events bring communities and classmates together to celebrate teens’ teamwork and creativity and to expand …
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
“Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Everyone is familiar with these two phrases. From a health and wellness perspective, we know that students who eat breakfast have higher test scores, better attendance, …
Kelly Diaz, RD, the Assistant Director of Nutrition Services at Evanston Township High School (3,500 students) in Evanston, IL, implemented a Meatless Monday initiative during the 2018-2019 school year. Her experiences provide excellent examples of how this program can benefit …
Attractive, eye-catching signage and fun, descriptive food names are effective ways to promote healthy food options to kids. They increase Visibility and Suggestive Selling, two of the behavioral economics principles used by the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement to help lunchrooms …
“I’m soooo hungry,” whines the child at your side. Most adults will reach for a snack (preferably a healthy one) to satiate the child, but is that child really hungry? Oftentimes children say they are hungry because they are thirsty, …
Sandy Voss, Director of Food and Nutrition Services in MSD15, reviewing a student team’s competition entry.
Stefanie Giannini, Assistant Director of Food & Nutrition Services at Marquardt School District 15 (MSD15) in Glendale Heights, Illinois, shared her perspective as …
