Schools
Schools are the lifeblood of an educated future and the heart of activity for many Minnesota communities. Children learn some of life’s most important lessons in school. That is why schools are considered a vital piece of the SHIP initiative.
Schools are uniquely situated to support healthy behavior of children and youth. Because children learn, eat and play at school during the years when they are acquiring lifestyle habits, an environment that supports and models healthy behavior is critical to their becoming healthy, productive adults.
Today's Challenges
Schools continue to experience competing priorities that sometimes result in lost emphasis on the health of students. In recent years, many schools have seen decreases in physical education, health education and recess. School food service operations, clubs, booster organizations and sport programs sometimes promote low-nutrient, high-calorie foods to improve revenue. Meanwhile, the obesity crisis continues, leading to increased chronic diseases in adults and children.1
- 35% of children watch 3 or more hours of TV/video every day
- 65% of children do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity
- 79% of children eat fewer than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day
Benefits of Healthy Schools
- Improved attendance of students and staff
- Improved academic performance
- Improved classroom behavior
- Increased graduation rates
- Motivated school staff
- Increased community connectedness
School-age children and youth spend roughly half of their waking hours in school. By creating school systems that continue to support healthy school environments and model healthy behavior, everyone benefits.
What is happening in Cass County Schools?
- Increasing access to nutritious foods, with emphasis on fruits and vegetables.
- Implementing comprehensive nutrition policies in schools.
- Increasing offering of healthy options for classroom celebrations, meals, snacks, concessions, vending and fundraising.
- Creating farm to school or school garden initiatives to offer items for meals and snacks at schools.
- Increasing promotion of school breakfast.
- Implement policies and practices thacreate active schools by increasinopportunities for non-motorized transportation (walking and biking to and from school) and recreation facilities.
- Implement policies and practices that support quality school-based physical education.
- MDH (2009). SHIP and Schools Working to reduce chronic disease in Minnesota. Retrieved from http://www.health.state.mn.us/healthreform/ship/about/SHIPSchoolsFactSheet.pdf
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