Supplemental Information and Related Links for Parental and Community Involvement

US DIETARY GUIDELINES AND MYPYRAMID

Nutrition information from the US Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid is helpful when planning a healthful school environment.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated every five years by scientists who review the latest nutrition research. The USDA Healthy School Meals Initiative established in 1995 continues to be supported each year by the updated U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

VIDEO

The Picture of Health

For a better understanding of how the dietary guidelines can be used in your school to provide a more healthful environment, view the video, The Picture of Health. The video was developed based on the 2000 Dietary Guidelines; however, much of the information remains useful.

TOPICS

Educate families

School health programs should be designed to assist and support families to effectively teach students lifelong healthful eating and physical activity habits. Students benefit from receiving consistent health messages at home and at school. There is a large gap between knowledge and behavior. Nutrition education taught by traditional classroom lessons can be enhanced by modeling from parents for younger children and from peers and the community for older children.

Many homework assignments requiring family participation call for a basic understanding of nutrition. Even well-educated parents may have misconceptions about nutrition. The Dietary Guidelines were designed to help consumers understand healthful eating and physical activity habits. Adult emerging readers and parents, who are in English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs, might benefit from additional educational experiences from lessons provided on the Louisiana Team Nutrition site.

The National Parent Teacher Association has set six standards for parent and family involvement.

  • Communicating - Communication between home and school is regular, two-way, and meaningful.
  • Parenting - Parenting skills are promoted and supported.
  • Student Learning - Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning.
  • Volunteering - Parents are welcome in the school, and their support and assistance are sought.
  • Collaborating with Community - Community resources are used to strengthen schools, families, and student learning.

Families and the community can assist with making a more healthful school environment. Parents can provide a variety of healthful foods for parties and snacks at school. Community organizations and businesses can reward students with nonfood items or with healthful foods such as 100 percent fruit juices. Fundraising efforts for the school and clubs can involve nonfood items. Parents should provide children with appropriate choices and opportunities to promote healthful eating and physical activity habits. Keep the kitchen stocked with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and foods low in fat and added sugar. Give children choices between an apple and a banana, not an apple and a cookie. Provide students with opportunities to get plenty of physical activity, even on rainy days. Visit the Louisiana Team Nutrition: Action for Healthy Kids web site for additional information.

Student and family involvement in programs

School improvement teams are ideal for obtaining input from students and families about their satisfaction with the physical activity and nutrition programs. Each year, students and parents can review and assist in revising, as needed, written policy on nutrition and physical activity as noted in module one. For more information on written policy, read Module 1.

Completion of the School Health Index (SHI) by parents and students can serve as a good basis for determining their opinions of where the school stands in providing a healthful school environment. Compare their responses of strengths and weaknesses to the responses of other persons who complete the SHI.

Students and families involved in planning school meals

In Louisiana, the school food service supervisor in the central office generally is responsible for planning menus for the district, with some input from the manager. There may be some opportunities to modify the menu to meet the individual likes and dislikes of the students. Many schools have a Nutrition Action Committee (NAC) that can provide feedback on menus and recipes.

Parents and community involved in implementing programs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report "Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General" provides information and examples of many programs available for implementation offered at the school and community level.
Other sources of fitness related information include:
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research
President's Council on Physical Fitness
Sportscience

Promote community-based programs and resources

Below are links to helpful community organizations and programs
Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP)
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service
American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
Louisiana Heart Association Sites
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
Louisiana Food Stamps Program

Community access to school facilities outside of school hours

For more information about this topic, view Module 1.



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