Healthy Hearts for Healthy Kids Program

1. Physical Activity/Physical Education Healthy Hearts for Healthy Kids Program The District has an After School program for children at Russell Primary School each school day. In January 2009, the program received a grant to begin a quest for a healthier community. The Healthy Hearts for Healthy Kids grant is funded by the Kentucky Heart Institute (KHI) and King’s Daughters Medical Center (KDMC) through the Foundation For the Tri-State Community. Health screenings are being conducted with the after school students as a result of the grant. The screenings include blood pressure, height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and BMI percentile. The main goal of the Healthy Hearts for Healthy Kids program is to identify children that are overweight and/or obese and to help parents work with their children to reduce their child’s risk for chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The Healthy Hearts for Healthy Kids program has provided a Nintendo Wii, Dance Dance Revolution, along with a new television for the After School Program at Russell Primary. Physicians, Dieticians, and guest speakers have provided education on nutrition and fitness for the children. Thank you KHI and KDMC for supporting the students of Russell Independent Schools! Healthy Schools Program The District is involved in the Healthy Schools Program through the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Our partnership began in August 2009. The goal of the program is the improvement of employee and student wellness through nutrition and physical fitness. Russell Independent Wellness Report Card 2009-2010 WALK TO SCHOOL DAY As part of our Walk to School Program, on October 7, 2009 the District partnered with FIVCO and the City of Russell to encourage students to walk more, including the use of sidewalks for walking safety. Sixty-two students participated in the walk prior to the start of school that day, along with several administrators and civic leaders. The Russell Independent Board of Education is committed to providing our students with nutritious meals and multiple physical activity opportunities. FITNESSGRAM (http://fitnessgram.net/home/) Our elementary schools participated in a physical fitness assessment called fitnessgram. Fitnessgram is a comprehensive, educational assessment tool that evaluates fitness and activity for children. The results of all 4th and 5th grade student participants that scored in the “healthy zone” are as follows: 2009 2008 Cardiovascular (running/walking) 58% 37% Push-ups 35% 37% Sit-ups 63% 40% Dr. Susan E. Compton, Superintendent Jenny Bates, District Health Coordinator Dennis Chambers, Food Service Director Becky Roark, Wellness Coordinator .

2. School Lunch Program The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) was conceived in 1946 as a “measure of national security to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation’s children.” School districts receive federal reimbursement for each school lunch served that meets the United States Department of Agriculture nutrition guidelines. These guidelines promote meal quality while commodity donations help the farmer and help schools keep down meal prices. Our lunch meals are planned on a cycle basis. Federal regulations require that we offer minimum portion sizes of meat, fruit and/or vegetable, grains/breads and fluid milk during every lunch meal service. The portion sizes are designed to meet the needs of growing children and, as a rule, we increase the sizes as the children grow older. We are making a concerted effort to further improve the nutritional quality of the meals we serve. The menu cycle provides for variety and allows us to make the most efficient use of the donated commodities, especially seasonal fresh fruits. We offer 1% and skim milk, as well as 100% fruit and vegetable juices. The table below provides a synopsis of the lunch program, including participation, for the 2008 and 2009 school years: School Breakfast Program The School Breakfast Program (SBP) was established in 1966. School districts receive federal reimbursement for each school breakfast served that meets the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutrition guidelines. Studies show that children who participate in the School Breakfast Program have significantly higher standardized achievement test scores than non-participants. Children with access to school breakfast also had significantly reduced absence and tardiness rates. The table below provides a synopsis of the breakfast program, including participation, for the 2008 and 2009 school years: Nutrient Analysis The following table shows the target, minimum nutrient & calorie levels, compared with actual for our traditional menu planning approach for grades 6-8 and 9-12 for the average of one of our five day lunch cycles: School Foods While we do contract with retail establishments to provide entrée items, such as pizza, those items are available to students only one day each week. A list of all food and beverage items available to students during the day can be downloaded from our web site at www.russellind.kyschools.us under “Support Services”. Food and beverage items that are sold as extras on the cafeteria lines or through vending machines or school stores must meet the minimum nutritional standards adopted by the Kentucky Board of Education. These standards are designed to limit access to items with little or no nutrient density. No sales from machines or school stores take place until after the close of the school day. Nutritional analysis on all menu items are available on the District and school websites. *Analysis by Carol Miller and Linda Kiser; Russell Middle and High School Managers. Nutritional analysis software is utilized by all managers to improve meal content and maintain regulatory compliance for all schools in our District.