Health and Wellness

A shared priority and responsibility . . . students, families, school

Three key Forest View Priorities:  Our Courtyard Garden, Family involvement, Wellness Policy Implementation

1. Our Courtyard Garden

Children, teachers, families, and friends work together to plant, care for, and harvest the fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs that we grow.  We are working on raising funds to build a shade structure so we can have outdoor classes in our courtyard as well.  Forest View partners with the Durham County Health Department’s DINE program to provide cooking classes using some of the ingredients available in our garden. Stay tuned for ways parents can volunteer to help with classes!  Many thanks to (now retired) art teacher Marylu Flowers for her ongoing leadership and vision for our wonderful outdoor learning space.

2. Family Involvement

At school:

  • PLEASE send healthy snacks and lunch items (list below)
  • Talk with your child’s teacher before bringing food to school for snacks or celebrations
  • Please consider allergies and the sugar content of foods

 At home, please:

* Limit “screen time”:  computer, games, tv

* Make sure your child gets rest

* Make sure your child has time for physical activity

* Make sure your child has breakfast, at home or at school

wellness graphic 2

HEALTHY FOODS & SNACKS FOR HEALTHY KIDS!

YES! Please send these:

  • Fruit: apples, grapes, oranges, applesauce, bananas, blueberries, fruit cups
  • Carrots, celery, other fresh vegetables
  • Cheese: sticks, cubes, string
  • Yogurt
  • Raisins
  • Pretzels
  • Popcorn (already popped)
  • “Gold Fish”
  • Crackers w/ cheese
  • “Cheese-Its”
  • Granola, cereal or breakfast bars
  • Peanut butter: on crackers, graham crackers, apples, celery
  • Bagels: cream cheese, peanut butter

No, please avoid these:

  • Candy
  • Cookies
  • Cupcakes
  • Donuts
  • Soda
  • Chips

Remember to wash fruit.  Snacks that are prepackaged and/or prepared by a store, vendor or bakery are allowed.   

3. Implementing Our Forest View Wellness Plan

Healthy Schools:  New District Requirements and Forest View Practices

Forest View Wellness Mission Statement:

Forest View promotes a healthy community of students, faculty, staff and families via: encouraging nutritious meals and snacks, creating opportunities for regular physical activities, building and nurturing life-long healthy behaviors.

Goal: Implement DPS policies with reasonable, flexible and culturally respectful practices.

The Durham Public Schools Wellness Policy became effective  January 1, 2013

Highlights of the new policy and Forest View practices:

 Birthday Hats

1) Birthday Celebrations:

* Student birthday celebrations are limited to one per month in each classroom (i.e., all February birthdays will be celebrated together).

* Non-food celebrations are preferred (a special song, dancing with special music, an art project, birthday crowns or certificates, etc.)

* Celebration plans must be coordinated with the classroom teacher.

* All fruits and vegetables must be washed.

* Other snacks, such as cupcakes, must be pre-packaged and/or prepared by a store, bakery or vendor; small portions (i.e., mini-cupcakes) are preferred.

Other celebrations and holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, will also emphasize non-food celebrations.  Celebration plans and food items must be coordinated with the teacher.

2) Food Served at School:fruit graphic

* Parents may not bring any food to share with other students without prior permission from the teacher.

* Healthy options, including water, fruit and vegetables, cheese, pretzels, etc., are preferred; each teacher has a list of suggested healthy snacks.

* Sugar-sweetened beverages are not allowed.

* Please continue to note on the visitor sign in form in the office that you are bringing food.

3) Food Safety:  All fruits and vegetables must be washed.

* Other snacks, such as cupcakes, must be pre-packaged and/or prepared by a store, bakery or vendor; small portions are preferred.

* Flyers and invitations to classroom and school-wide events will advise all families when food choices are items prepared by families in home kitchens.

4) School Wide Celebrations: Forest View may have no more than 4 school-wide celebrations that involve food. (Activities where food is prepared by the cafeteria, such as the Blue Falcon Breakfast, are exempt from this rule).

Thanks for helping keep our kids healthy!