Nutrition Improvement Meeting Notes
15 March 2012 -- 3PM flexspace
Kelli took notes.
Survey Review
- Ali handed out summary information. This can be found on our web site.
- Ali reviewed comments that she thought were reoccurring and/or important for the group to discuss.
Here’s a summary. Approximately 150 parents responded. We are not sure how many families we have
at HCS. But that seems like a terrific response based on the number of students.
- Let me know if I missed something.
Survey Comment/observation
Group Action
Kind observations of the kitchen healthy Nice to hear. Thanks
efforts, groups efforts
Parent concern about the amount of
We recommend recess before lunch. (follow up with
time for lunch
Jeff on scheduling)
We recommend the implementation of the thumb
print id system like in Williston. (follow up with Jeff)
Parent belief that students are confused Deb continually reminds kids what they can take
about what/when they can take from
from where
where
Need for water in cafeteria
Already there. We need to communicate to parents.
Desire for more non-dairy milks
These are at an add’l cost to the student. Right?
(almond, rice, soy)
Maybe one day these will come in smaller portions
at a comparable cost to cow milk?
Concern about appropriate serving size
We discussed having parent volunteers to help
and choices
students make better, balanced choices
Concern about quality of food at
Improve food at school wide events.
classroom, school wide celebrations.
Like ice cream social (yogurt or fruit bars) (follow up
And concern about candy within school
with Bob)
HCS Wellness committee reviewing CESU no candy
policy
Would like students to compost.
Develop appreciation for waste.
Concern about the amount of sugar in
yogurt
Behavior in the cafeteria. The 3-5 grades We recommend some communication with 3-5
are still too loud, not as respectful as
parents – in the Viking or by the teachers. (follow up
other groups.
with Bob or Jeff)
We recommend stronger “be a star” support in the
cafeteria. Could there be a system to gain a reward
to eat outside? Or an extra recess? (follow up with
Sue?)
We’d recommend the flex space wall open up for
lunch. (Follow up with Bob)
We’d recommend the 3-5 teachers eat with
students. They could do this in shifts like the middle
school teachers. (would a discount lunch for
Salad bar access for primary students
Table Monitor
Middle School Rec Time
teachers/staff who eat in the cafeteria be an
effective incentive? Follow up with Bob)
We’d like to consider procuring small round tables
that allow greater conversation – not yelling down
the table.
We’d like to consider a way for students/classes to
eat outside. Deb would make bagged lunches for
the class. Deb needs 24 hour notice. (We should
test this. Sounds like a great solution to time and
behavior. Follow up with Bob)
Primary students have trouble reaching the salad
bar. Can we build a step around it? Follow up with
Steve Cote as an eagle/boy/cub scout project.
We’d like to consider the teachers assigning a
student a job as a table monitor. We need to discuss
with teachers. (Maybe Diane Barber could discuss at
a staff meeting? Follow up with Diane)
We recommend that middle schoolers sign up for rec
time as lunch room helpers. They can aid smaller
children with the salad bar. They can encourage
choice. They can role model appropriate behavior in
the cafeteria. (Follow up with Bob.)
Here’s what the group is working on …. Email me if I missed something, you have suggestion, whatever
- Garden
o Susan is working on setting up a grow lab in the flexspace a few days before spring break.
o We won the $500 home depot grant for the garden. Awesome!
o Susan procured hoops for a couple beds to start some stuff early.
o Susan procured some potato bags.
o Steve Cote – We’d like to talk with Steve about the cub/boys/eagle scouts building a shed.
- Grants
o Culinary Grant: Applied - Denied. To win this grant we need to identify area chefs that would
like to volunteer at our school. They can not be paid. The funds from the grant can go toward a
nutrition improvement program. Like the Monthly Snack idea in the classroom. The funds could
go toward the food but a chef needs to be in charge of the program. If you know of a chef who
would like to volunteer in our school here’s an opportunity.
o Lowes Grant
 Applied for $2000. To support composters, benches, shed & blueberry bushes
 Find out in May
o Upcoming application - Cabot $200 with $200 match with matching organization. Waiting on
PIE for approval.
o Upcoming application – VT FTS grant – I need a subgroup to discuss next steps. I’m like a deer in
headlights on this.
o Fuel up to Play 60 – Cindy S. leading.
o Upcoming – berlin city – due 4/30. Student creative input. Up to $3500. “children holding the
key to future”.
 For stipends, expenses for RN, cafeteria staff
o
 Monthly snack program
 Submit a video? Do you know middle schoolers who like to make movies?
Apple Orchard
 Submitted application for apple orchard. Heidi Simkins leading.
http://www.communitiestakeroot.com/Home/Index
 More later
-
Upcoming NI meeting items
o “Eat this Not that” for parents of our HCS Students
 April NI meeting – date TBD - Hosts: Michelle McGee and Amy Sayre
o Monthly Food Intro for school year 2012/2013
 May NI meeting – date TBD - Melissa Levy and others - Present suggested fall 2012
program
-
Great Efforts Underway
o Vermont Junior Iron Chef – March 24 at the expo. We have 1 team.
o Cooking for Life from Hunger Free Vermont
 Coordinator – Maureen, Chef – Tracy (Good Times), Nutrition – Amy Sayre
 Class will be in Oct – Nov 2012
 8-15 students
 Application mailed! Accepted!!!
o Life Skills Bread Baking Program with King Arthur Flour
 Coordinator - Maureen
 October 2012 – Donate loaves to harvest dinner
 Application mailed! Accepted!!!
o Second Grade students growing onions and greens in their classroom.
o Healthy recipes on HCS PiE web area. Email Ali your recipes.
o Red Hen Bakery Program – Joanne leading.
o Wellness Committee – considering candy policy – Diane B.
o Kristi Johnson to write an article about the Garden for the Hinesburg Record and The Citizen for
late May/June 2012
o Pumpkin fundraiser - researching
 Fall fundraiser for HCS parents
 Burton support - Alyssa Lasher em for Burton contact
o Student Survey – will be executed in March. Ethan Cote is leading.
o Jennifer Taylor – master student at UVM’s Nutrition Science school might observe the cafeteria
and suggest improvement to closer align with new school food regulations. More later.
-
Help Needed
o Pumpkin Fundraiser idea. Would someone like to run with that?
o We are looking for a registered dietitian (RD) that would like to work with our group for next
school year. Does anyone know an RD that would like to work with a terrific group?
o Garden…some classes will have grow lights in the classroom. We are looking for parents in each
classroom to help care for the garden plants plus do 1 lesson with the students. If this interests
you please connect with your teacher or email Kelli.