| Childhood obesity is at alarming levels in this county. | | | | choices will affect their health. But it's a pretty safe bet |
| Children in the San Francisco Schools are no | | | | that the San Francisco Schools don't have much extra |
| exception. Too much television and video games, and | | | | time to teach daily health classes. That's OK, what |
| too little time spent playing outside has led to an | | | | they're doing now might be even better. Schools need |
| epidemic of juvenile health issues. It sure doesn't help | | | | to lead by example. Just think of the message that it |
| that the San Francisco Schools have had to cut | | | | sent to children to have soda in vending machines and |
| funding for physical education over the years. But the | | | | options like chips, ice cream and fatty meals for lunch |
| 2007-2008 school year does have something positive | | | | fare. The San Francisco Schools are setting an |
| going for it. Several San Francisco Schools will provide | | | | example that the rest of the nation needs to emulate. |
| fresh salad bars, whole grain options, and whole fruits | | | | It's high time that schools look at the messages they |
| and vegetable in their cafeterias. Twenty six San | | | | are sending to our children. What Else Can the San |
| Francisco Schools from elementary to high school will | | | | Francisco Schools Do? While healthier school lunches |
| benefit from a half a million dollar grant from the | | | | are a huge improvement to the San Francisco |
| mayor's office and the Department of Children, Youth, | | | | Schools, the reality is that every public school district in |
| and their families. This is a big deal. The fact that a | | | | the country is struggling to succeed. The San |
| school district has actually recognized the importance | | | | Francisco Schools experimented with the salad bars |
| of nutrition in education is enormous. For the past few | | | | with pilot programs in a few of the schools last year. |
| decades public education has acted as if the only | | | | Hopefully more San Francisco Schools will follow this |
| aspect of learning we should worry about are test | | | | example next year. It is more costly for the San |
| scores. The San Francisco Unified School District has | | | | Francisco Schools to provide this fresher fare than |
| been forced to slash the arts, physical education, and | | | | canned vegetables and mystery meat? I'm sure it is. |
| anything not seen to directly affect standardized tests. | | | | But the San Francisco Schools will recoup the cost in |
| How Does Nutrition Affect San Francisco Schools | | | | children who are more likely to pay attention (maybe |
| Students? Teachers in the San Francisco Schools | | | | less ADD diagnoses), higher test scores, children who |
| know that a child's academic success lies in several | | | | are less fussy, and who appreciate the taste of fresh |
| factors: home environment, proper nutrition, and a good | | | | foods. |
| night sleep greatly impact a student's ability to pay | | | | Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, |
| attention and retain information. The fast food | | | | providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and |
| generation currently attending the San Francisco | | | | private K-12 schools. |
| Schools needs to be made aware of how nutrition | | | | |