Buchanan School
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Kent County
1775 Buchanan Avenue SW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49507-1642
Enrollment: 380
Public School
Success Story Contact:
Madonna Saia
School Nurse
Phone: 616-819-2252
Email: saiam@grps.k12.mi.us
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Success Story Information:
Reach:
Duration: 1 to 3 months
Costs:
Factors for Success: - Coordinated School Health Team
- Completing an assessment (such as Healthy School Action Tool, School Health Index, Changing the Scene)
- Administrative support
- Parent volunteers
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SCHOOL LUNCH
SUCCESS STORY
In September 2005, teachers & administrators were busy with the start of a new school year, but there was a motivated group of Buchanan staff that was willing to develop a Coordinated School Health Team (CSHT). The Team, consisting of 11 members, including representatives from the PTA and the school’s community partners, met in November and conducted a school evaluation using the Healthy School Action Tool (HSAT).
During this process, it was noted how much fresh fruit was discarded by our student body, across all grade levels. It was determined that students would eat more fresh fruit if it were pre-sliced. A team member, the Food & Nutrition Services Director, indicated that fruit slicers were already available in stock, but funding the manpower to slice the fruit would be a challenge. Another team member, the PTA President, suggested that parent volunteers could help with this task.
This Recommended Action of our HSAT Action Plan, ”To slice fresh fruit offered at lunch,” was initiated on November 11, 2005 and became a Completed Action on November 21, 2005. The students liked the easy finger food, and, noticeably, more fresh fruit was eaten. The Team thinks by making this small change, we have greatly impacted the nutrition of our students in a positive way.
This simple accomplishment is a real tribute to the value of our CSHT, and the ability of its members to work well together. In addition, it is a testament that creating a healthy school environment can be done in small steps, and with no or small costs.
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Other Relevant School Information
Our Coordinated School Health Team/Committee has the following active members: School Administration (Principal, Assistant Principal, Superintendent);Nutrition Services (Food Service Director or Manager);Physical Education (PE teacher);Classroom teacher (not PE or Health);Health Services Provider or School Nurse;School Counselor, Psychologist or Social Worker;Family Involvement (Parent/Guardian);Community Involvement (Health Department, MSU Extension, Heart Assoc., Cancer Society)
Our Team/Committee met 1 time during the past 12 months.
Assessments* Completed: Healthy School Action Tools (HSAT)*
This School Success Story was submitted on 5/12/2006
*Since 2004, The Healthy School Action Tool Assessment is Michigan’s preferred assessment tool that is a combination of the School Health Index and Changing the Scene.
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The Michigan Healthy School Success Story website is brought to you by the American Cancer Society, Michigan Action for Healthy Kids,
Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan State University Extension, and United Dairy Industry of Michigan
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