This page is will provide our parents and students with information about the "Healthy Living" programs we offer here at Welcome Elementary. Please check this page monthly for new and exciting information along with monthly calendars.
Welcome is initiating a new healthy concept, which will require us to think differently about our actions. Welcome is on the move to promote a healthy school environment.
What’s the big deal? Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. The numbers are even higher in African American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40% of the children are overweight or obese. If we don't solve this problem, one third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. Many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.
So, how will we celebrate birthdays and other occasions? Birthday parties and holiday celebrations at school provide a unique opportunity to help make healthful eating fun and exciting for children. Schools can take advantage of classroom celebrations to serve food that tastes good, is nutritious, and provides students with an opportunity for nutrition education experiences.
Tell me more! Typically, foods for school celebrations include cupcakes, candy, cookies and soda. So what’s the harm? There is nothing wrong with an occasional treat, but unhealthy choices have become the norm rather than the exception. Parties, treats used as classroom rewards, food fundraisers, vending machines, snacks and school stores constantly expose children to high-fat, high-sugar, low-nutrient choices. Overall, our children’s eating habits are poor. Only two percent of children meet all MyPyramid recommendations. Most children do not eat enough fruits, vegetables or whole grains. Obesity rates among children are on the rise, with serious health consequences. Constant exposure to low-nutrient foods makes it difficult for children to learn how to make healthy food choices. By providing students with nutritious choices wherever food is available (including the classroom), schools can positively influence children’s eating habits.
What will this new healthy concept look like at Welcome? Our fantastic cafeteria staff has gone through 40 hours of culinary training at the Culinary Arts Institute at Greenville Tech. We believe the school cafeteria, now known as the Nutrition Lab, is an extension of the classroom. We will begin with implementing a vegetation station (what grown-ups call a salad bar) and slowly introduce healthy options. Our hope is for students to learn, practice, and adopt healthy eating habits!
Click on the videos below to see how you can be a healthier kid. Being a healthier kid means being a better student, artist, athlete, actor or actress, musician…really a better anything!