Escambia County Public Schools Soliciting Public Input for Wellness Initiatives

July 13, 2024

Escambia County Public Schools is reviewing its wellness initiatives and is looking for input from district staff members along with members of the community.

A wellness policy’s intent is to promote healthy choices, prevent childhood obesity and to combat the challenges children face if they have poor nutritional habits or not enough activity. A federal law requires each school district participating in the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program to maintain a local wellness policy.

“While the input is being gathered by the Food Services Department, we work with a variety of school district specialists to ensure the policy covers all aspects of student wellness while on campus,” said the district’s Jaleena Davis. “We try our best to look at this program from a team perspective.”

The school district also maintains a School Health and Wellness Advisory Committee (SHWAC) chaired by Dr. Maureen Padden, as well as School Wellness Teams.

If an individual would like to be involved at the district level, they should contact Martha Hanna at (850) 469-5456, or by email at mhanna@ecsdfl.us.

If a member of the community wants to get involved on a School Wellness Team, they are asked to call (850) 316-3962 or email csutherland@ecsdfl.us.

Comments

6 Responses to “Escambia County Public Schools Soliciting Public Input for Wellness Initiatives”

  1. Yesenia K. on July 14th, 2024 11:27 pm

    That’s a good idea having healthy food, as much as it possible, at school, instead of junk food. I agree, that family has main role in forming good habits, but negative environment can affect on it. On the other hand, if kids don’t have that healthy eating habits at home, at least they can get it at school. So, school, teachers, should positive impact on students in every aspect. And yes, kids better have breaks, not as playing games on a PC, but go outside and have more physical activities. So, parents, schools and etc. together should form healthy, safe, and positive environment for our young generation.

  2. AM on July 14th, 2024 3:16 pm

    Eating healthy MUST be taught at home in the household first. Children that are overweight learn habits that begin at home. These kids eat Ramon noodles, little Debbie cakes, chips and fast food constantly. They will do nothing but waste food by throwing the vegetables away simply because they don’t like it. If the school system wants to help the children become healthier than physical activity is the best! Require more movement, exercise breaks, or activities. We need less computer time and more movement time.

  3. Belinda Donaldson on July 13th, 2024 7:07 pm

    Stay aware of meals that nutrition as well as balance of choices. Children should go outside the boundary, explore of meals if possible. Around the world themes and other food culture. Only suggestions, meal shouldn’t be basic on what home. If possible what’s going on in the world. Food is the best part of young people lives. Feeling good, eating good. Having a good feeling about food and it purpose.

  4. Bewildered on July 13th, 2024 3:26 pm

    I agree with Colleen. Waste of money trying to create nutritional meals. Kids eat what they have gotten used to since infancy. These “starving “ children prefer fast food over vegetables any day

  5. MQ on July 13th, 2024 2:39 pm

    100% agree with Colleen. I dont care how healthy a meal is. If they won’t eat it, there’s no nutritional value.

  6. Colleen on July 13th, 2024 9:07 am

    I would like to see students provided with meals that they will actually eat. Students will get entire meals and throw them away because of what is in the meal or because of taste. Some of these students will then bring bags of chips and drinks to eat with their meals or as a meal so they have something to eat. For students wellness, not only should they be provided with healthy choices, but they must be given food choices that they will actually eat.