Wellness Newsletter
Riverside School, Spring 2017
Fitness Challenge success!
The Wellness Committee hosted its first ever Fitness Friday with fun activities for students during outdoor recess. Grades K-1 enjoyed activity stations including: an obstacle course, dribbling a soccer ball through cones and moving through a circle of various body movements and manipulations. Second through Fifth graders participated in some different activities run by Elite Health Services. All in all, it was a beautiful day and the kids seemed to enjoy it.
As for the class winners, those with the highest participation levels in the Fitness Challenge were: Ms. Arbulu (with 100% participation, wow!), Ms. Hickey, and tied for third were Mrs. DiDonato and Mrs. Muscat. These lucky classes have earned extra recess. Congratulations!
What's for lunch? Food Services survey update.
Thanks to all of you who provided feedback via the district-wide food services survey. Riverside was one of the top 3 participating elementary schools, with over 40% participation. Across the district, we had over 1,500 responses (over 35% participation) - a very strong result!
There will be more information to come, but here are a few interesting overall (district-wide) statistics from elementary parent respondents:
- 64% would like to see more healthy snack/dessert options (less chips, cookies and ice cream) at their child's elementary school.
- 67% would like to see more lunch room assistance/guidance for their children on making healthier food choices in school.
- 72% are willing to pay more per day for a higher quality school lunch offering, with most parents willing to pay $1 more.
Wellness Committee at a glance 2017-2018
Interested in getting more involved at Riverside? Is Wellness an area of interest? Look at some of our main initiatives below and consider joining our committee in the fall.
Questions? Email us via riversideschoolwellness@gmail.com.
Allergy Awareness
New this year, we are looking to help increase awareness about food related allergies that affect 8% of young children nationally (and roughly 12% in Greenwich public elementary schools, according to a recent district survey). An allergy awareness day will be planned as well as the dissemination of important information in support of this initiative.
Fruit & Veggie Challenge
An annual, week long event where Riverside students are challenged to "eat a rainbow" of healthy foods both in school and at home. Be on the look out for volunteer opportunities for this fun week of fruit and veggie (and smoothie!) tastings served during lunch time in March.
Fitness Challenge
Children are encouraged to be as active as possible during this week leading up to the annual Riverside run. On the Friday of this week, typically, we aim to have the children participate in some fun activities during outdoor recess for which volunteers are needed. Also, in the past, gym teacher Bill Bogardus gets the children moving during morning announcements.