Better nutrition and skill-based physical education and
health are priorities at Valley Stream Jr-Sr High Schools

Valley Stream Central High School District
Valley Stream, New York
Southwest quadrant of Nassau County (Nassau Zone)
District consists of four high schools

4,500 students

 

Issue

Obesity has tripled among teenagers and doubled among children 6 – 11 years old in the last 20 years. In 2005, Students are becoming more sedentary and exhibit poor eating habits. Obesity increases the risk of many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. Diets high in saturated fat, excess calories and sodium can contribute to the development of chronic diseases.

 

Method

The Healthy Schools Leadership Institute (HSLI) is a five-year, professional development program that focuses on building organizational capacity for healthier schools; effectively advocating for healthier schools; using assessment strategies to evaluate the school environment; leading and motivating others responsible for school health promotion; managing coordination of healthier schools; and, soliciting resources for this initiative. HSLI recruits schools to participate in the initiative. The Valley Stream Central High School District is one of nineteen that the HSLI has worked with since 2005.

Nancy Henry, Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics, Recreation, Driver's Education, and Nurses at Valley Stream Central High School District joined the Healthy Schools Leadership Institute (HSLI), in the spring of 2005. As part of the Institute, each school completed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s School Health Index, a self-assessment and planning tool to improve school health and safety. It brought district administration, the Board of Education, faculty/staff, students, and the community together to discuss areas of strength and areas in need of improvement. The non-threatening nature of the tool facilitated an open and honest dialogue. One of the key areas identified as needing improvement was nutrition services and varied physical education curriculum. As a result of these findings, improvement of school nutrition and physical activity became a goal for the succeeding school years.

 

Impact

A District Wellness Committee was created and given responsibility for recommending, creating and implementing quality food services via menu programming, production systems, distribution, public relations, as well as, advertising healthy choices and its benefits. The Physical Education Director and department heads worked in tandem to spearhead curriculum changes in health and physical education. Since then, the following changes are evident:

Established a District Wellness Committee, made up of board of education members, administration, faculty/staff, students, and the community, that meets at least three times a year, and developed building-based wellness councils.
Developed a Board of Education adopted comprehensive Wellness Policy with the District Wellness Committee’s input.
Removed high sugar/high fat items from vending machines and recommended healthier vending options.
Removed Slurpee beverages from machines within all schools.
Served only low fat and fat-free milk for school breakfasts and lunches.
Incorporated 100 percent whole-wheat rolls and brown rice into menus.
Phased out the sale of Snapple and Otis Spunkmeyer high fat cookies to comply with the Choose Sensibly program.
Developed physical education units of study in yoga, zumba, Dance Dance Revolution, weighted Hula Hoops, medicine balls and pole walking.
Entire Physical Education curriculum is currently being revamped (2009-2010 school year).
Developed skill-based health education curriculum incorporating new books and instruction focused on physical education activity and nutrition.
Developed a Board of Education approved Physical Education plan.
Administered a food service survey to the student population to identify dietary needs and cultural preferences

 

Importance of Impact

Healthy school environments allow students to establish healthy habits that last a lifetime and encourage faculty and staff to be healthier, too. Valley Stream High Schools have recognized this by involving students and staff in the process and providing them with the tools needed to improve their environment.

 

Keys to Success

Valley Stream Central High School District was successful because of support from the Board of Education, Superintendent, and District and Building Administration. Their leadership allowed the community, staff, and students to come together in partnership and realize a shared vision of better health. In addition, completion of the comprehensive School Health Index assessment fostered teamwork from the beginning and helped all involved realize that student health is everyone's responsibility. Finally, obtaining financial support through mini-grants helped keep changes occurring and build momentum for future plans.

 

Future Plans

Expand fitness/walking programs for students.
Encourage student-created and friendly nutrition-related displays where the lunch line moves more efficiently.
Continue creating wellness centered initiatives.
Address concession stand and fundraising options.



Words of Wisdom: "Physical activity and healthy eating habits are as important as studying hard in school. The Department of Education will be doing more to make this connection to students and adults, and to educate our children in ways that can maintain good health”, U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.

 

For more information about health and wellness at Valley Stream Central HS District, contact:

Nancy Henry

Valley Stream Central High School District

One Kent Road, Valley Stream, NY 11580

Phone: (516) 872-5695

E-mail: henryn@vschsd.org

 

For information about the Healthy Schools Leadership Institute, contact:

Stephanie Gray, Program Director

Healthy Schools Leadership Institute

NYS Association for Health,

Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

Phone: 518.568.5764

E-mail: sgray@nysahperd.org