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G.I. Public Schools starts new wellness activities
The Grand Island Public Schools has launched a variety of wellness initiatives for its students and staff, ranging from a one-minute classroom exercise routine called "JAMmin' Minute" to give students short breaks to an exercise program for Barr Middle School staff members.
Kris Spellman, nutrition services director for the school district, and Nancy Schisler, secondary teaching and learning director, are co-chairs for the districtwide Wellness Committee that promotes the initiatives. Robin Dexter, assistant superintendent for student services, is the lead administrator on the committee.
The activities or initiatives include the JAMmin' Minute, nutrition analysis of school meals, a class for middle school girls to discuss healthy eating, nutrition education kits, the Barr staff exercise program, "Nutrition Nuggets" newsletter, and healthier snacks, Spellman said.
The Just-a-Minute (JAM) School Program brings physical activity and health education into classrooms. JAM is designed to teach people about healthier lifestyle habits and is a free wellness resource for schools. JAM resources include a weekly one-minute routine called JAMmin' Minute, an athlete-featured routine called JAM Blast, and a monthly health newsletter called Health-E-tips.
The Wellness Committee sends the activity routines and tips to principals weekly to distribute to staff to use with students in classrooms as activity breaks.
The Nutrition Services Department is using menu and nutrient analysis software to analyze the elementary school breakfast and lunch menu. The analysis is posted on the school districtís Web site ([ http://www.gips.org ]www.gips.org) in the Nutrition Services section.
A new program will begin at Barr Middle School in January for a group of girls ages 11 to 13 to discuss healthy eating, self-esteem, and body image.
Nutrition Education Kits for students are being used in some kindergarten and fifth-grade classrooms in the school district. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Office in Hall County developed the kits and is a partner with the Wellness Committee. The program is now being piloted at the second-grade level.
A Barr Middle School after-school staff exercise program led by the schoolís physical education teachers has started, focusing on strength training and cardio fitness. The program has up to 18 participants per class. The focus on health and wellness has filtered into the school to encourage other staff to start individual fitness programs.
"Nutrition Nuggets" is a monthly reproducible newsletter packed with practical ideas any family can use to improve their nutrition and physical activity. Information is provided for parents about how to prepare nutritious foods on a tight schedule and tight budget, find time in their daily routine for physical activity, help their children choose healthy snacks, make exercise fun, and make nutritious food attractive to children. The newsletter is available at
www.gips.org under the Nutrition Services section.
Staff members are being encouraged to have healthier snacks (including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) for staff and student functions. The Nutrition Services Department is offering more healthy and lower fat items.
For more information, contact: Kris Spellman, Director of Nutrition Services, Grand Island Public Schools, (308) 385-5900,
kspellma@gips.org
It is the policy of the Grand Island Public Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, religion, or marital status in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title VI, Title IX, &Section 504.EOE/AA.