NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: EJ799017
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Apr
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-127X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Shape Up Somerville: District Tackles Childhood Obesity
Cluggish, Sarah; Kinder, Gretchen
Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, v73 n8 p32-36 Apr 2008
Walking today through Somerville, Massachusetts' Winter-Hill Community School during school hours differs markedly compared with just a few years ago. Gone are the greasy potato chips and chocolate-chip cookies from the a la carte offerings in the cafeteria. Missing are the late morning fundraisers when children would fill up on cupcakes and other sweets before lunch. And banished are the student rewards of candy in the classroom. Today, children in all Somerville public schools can eat an unlimited amount of whole fruit at breakfast and lunch. Fresh salads, often made with local produce including greens from schoolyard gardens, are offered every day. A la carte options include bottled water, yogurt, and other low-fat, low-sugar snacks. In some schools, students receive 30 minutes to eat lunch and play. And teachers frequently request Vegetable of the Month taste tests delivered to their rooms to integrate into their math, science, and/or social studies lessons. This article describes how Somerville Public Schools made such a dramatic change in the health habits of students. It also describes how these schools implemented the Shape Up Somerville project.
Prakken Publications. 832 Phoenix Drive, P.O. Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Tel: 734-975-2800; Fax: 734-975-2787; Web site: http://www.eddigest.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Massachusetts
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A