Healthy Students

healthy eating

Children and teens spend most of their awake hours at school, which means schools have a unique opportunity to create an environment that encourages students to eat healthy and be active.

According to the CDC, USDA, and Active Living Research:

  • Students who get at least 20 minutes of recess a day have a lower BMI than their peers. [1]
  • Just one physically active lesson creates a 13% increase in students’ physical activity for the week. [2]
  • Teens who are active in school are 20% more likely to earn an "A" in math or English. [3]
  • Under updated federal standards for school meals, kids are eating 16% more vegetables and 23% more fruits at lunch. [4]
  • Student participation in the National School Breakfast Program is associated with increased academic grades and standardized test scores, reduced absenteeism, and improved cognitive performance (especially, memory). [5]

Schools that create a healthy environment make it easier for all students to make the healthy choice. 

School Nutrition

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, developed nutrition standards for competitive food and beverages sold or made available in public schools. In December 2014, these standards were revised to more closely align with the USDA'd federal standards for competitive food and beverages. 

All school nutrition standards apply to food and beverages sold or provided in: 

  • School cafeterias offered as à la carte items.
  • Vending machines (must comply at all times).
  • School stores and snack bars.

School districts have the discretion to go beyond state standards and establish local policies that apply to all settings and/or all times to promote a healthy environment. Policies of the Weymouth Public Schools include:

  • Making water available to all students during the day without charge.
  • Providing fresh fruits and non-fried vegetables at any location where food is sold.
  • Prohibiting the use of deep fryers for competitive food. 

Weymouth Public Schools also follow the USDA's guidelines for all food and beverages sold as part of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Students' meals include nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, non-free or low-fat (1%) milk, whole-grain rich food, and food that is low in saturated fats and sodium and free of trans fats.

Healthy School Parties

Children celebrate many special occasions in the classroom. Along with the fun, usually comes food. Just one school party can include pizza, soda, chips, cake, and ice cream, plus a goodie bag with candy.

With a few easy changes, parents, teachers, and school administrators can shift the focus of classroom parties from unhealthy food to healthy fun.

Healthy School Celebration Tips
  • Provide non-food rewards such as pencils, erasers, stickers, and other small school supplies.
  • Serve healthy food and beverage options with fun, party-themed plates, cups, and napkins.
  • Get kids moving with extra recess time, a scavenger hunt, or a game of Simon says.
  • Buy fresh ingredients so kids can create their own healthy snacks, like trail mix or fruit cups.

Summer Eatssummer eats

In Massachusetts, more than 400,000 students rely on school meals. When school lets out for the summer, these kids lose out on a critical source of their daily nutrition.

Summer Eats - the Massachusetts Summer Food Service Program - provides free meals to children and teens during the summer months so they can return to school healthy and ready to learn.

Summer Eats sites are located in eligible areas throughout Massachusetts. Click here to find a meal site in Weymouth. At many Summer Eats locations, no registration or identification is required to receive a free meal.

Safe Routes to School

Communities that build safe places to walk and bike make it easier for children to be physically active, starting with their trip to school.

In Massachusetts, the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program works to increase safe biking and walking among elementary and middle school students using a collaborative, community-focused approach that bridges the gap between health and transportation.

Safe Routes to School at Work in Weymouth

School Walk Area Maps

According to Active Living Research, students who walk to school get 24 more minutes of physical activity every day. [6]

Find walk area maps of Weymouth's elementary schools below and start planning your child's safe walk to school:

Related Documents/Links