The first phase will concentrate on identifying what policies, services and projects are already in place in each district.
Those can include review or drafting of a district-wide child-wellness policy or identifying where corporate-sponsorship dollars might be replaced by other means to help students make healthier foods choices at vending machines and development of outlines on how to increase studentsa physical activity.
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COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
From there, projects will be developed to carry the healthier lifestyle decisions to each districtas greater community.
Those initiatives could be a campaign for healthier food choices at convenience stores; businesses and community organizations developing and improving their own worksite/meeting food standards; or implementing policies and plans that promote walking, biking and other alternatives to motorized transportation to increase physical activity.
Katherine Haney is liaison between the Healthy Heart Network and partners each school district has identified to oversee and track the wellness-program efforts, said Network Executive Director Margot Gold.
Once the initial assessments are done, she said, a comprehensive plan will be drawn up with the networkas help that addresses the identified places where improved nutrition and exercise can be added at each district.
Gold said a committee of stakeholders in each district, including parents, administrators, teachers and students, will draw up a plan of action tailored to their schools to present to their respective school boards for approval.
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WILL TRACK DATA
