Activities measure kids' fitness in era of increased obesity
Fun, wellness are goals at Newfield school field day
By Kerrie Frisinger
Journal Staff
NEWFIELD — Elementary students in Newfield took a final exam on Thursday, but they might not have known it.
On the district's grassy football field and track looping around it, first- and third-graders played Frisbee or raced on foot carrying cups of water. When Chris Williams, a fit and tanned physical education teacher, hit an alarm on a bullhorn the students sprinted to other stations to play tug of war or attempt the long jump.
It was the beginning of Newfield Elementary School's field days, an end-of-the-year rite in many places. It was also a recap of the fitness principles that Williams and others ingrained throughout the year.
“It's usually a fun game or activity where they don't even realize they're being physically active,” Williams said.
Physical education and the approach to health are changing in schools as educators acknowledge their role in fighting the obesity epidemic among children and the corresponding rise in diseases such as diabetes.
The federal government understands that responsibility, too. By July 1, all school districts participating in government-sponsored food programs must establish local wellness policies that set goals for food education and physical activity, establish nutrition guidelines and promote other aspects of wellness.
Meanwhile, the gym class of yore has evolved into a model for an active life while cafeteria food provides the best assurance that many students have received a square meal. Anecdotal and empirical evidence also links exercise and good nutrition to better behavior in class.
A number of local schools have already banned the sale of soda to students and reconsidered their daily menus. Newfield schools started providing free breakfast for all students last year, Dryden is considering widespread cutbacks on old standbys like hot dogs and Ithaca is gradually revamping its menu, for example.
Ithaca, which already cut out fried foods, will stop serving compressed meat products next year, said Dale McLean, director of food services for the Ithaca City School District. The healthier options come at a price to the department — $53,000 in lost french-fry revenue or the higher cost of whole meats — so McLean is planning an aggressive marketing campaign to improve the cafeteria's image and attract more student customers.
“The key is offering choices for children,” McLean said. “You can't take everything away or you'll lose your business.”
McLean, who serves on the committee developing Ithaca's wellness policy, said the document will probably bring additional changes to the food service program, once it's approved.
In general, the wellness policies consist of broad guidelines, leaving it to committees or individual schools to determine how to implement the suggestions.
“If you want to talk about nutrition, there are different nutritional needs for a 5-year-old versus a 16-year-old,” said Deborah Pichette, director of curriculum and staff development in Lansing, where the proposed policy would allow for different food guidelines at each of its three schools.
There's also room to go beyond basic requirements in the policies. Ithaca's plan includes a section on psychosocial health while Trumansburg's wellness committee submitted a list of healthy concession stand options with its draft, which has not yet been approved.
In Newfield, where the Board of Education has signed off on a policy, students have joined a walking club and staff have access to a small fitness center and a couple of in-house exercise classes. Williams hopes for a way to schedule more time for children to exercise, which also teaches cooperation, she said.
First, through, Williams expects her wellness committee to take on cafeteria menus and possible limits on how often treats are brought into class.
“That's going to be the biggest hurdle,” Williams said.
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