Summer
offers a more laid-back pace than the busy school year. But in some ways summer
can be more work for parents: preparing healthy breakfasts and lunches every
day can be a chore.
School
meals offer an easy way to ensure your child is getting nutritious meals each
day. School meals must meet nutrition standards. For example, fruits and
vegetables must be offered at lunch every day, and all grain foods must be
whole-grain rich.
In the
spirit of heading back to school, here’s a homework assignment to help you make
the most of school meals:
·
Ask about the breakfast schedule at your child’s school. Is it
offered in the cafeteria before the school day or in the classroom once the day
begins? Make sure your child arrives in time to eat breakfast.
· Complete Free and Reduced Meal forms when they are sent home.
Don’t miss the opportunity for your child to receive a meal at low or no cost
to you.
· Find out how to put money on your child’s meal account, and if
parents are able to control what their child spends money on. For example, can
your child purchase snacks with his meal account, or is the account restricted
to purchasing a full meal? Check the school district website for information on
meal accounts.
· If your child is young, practice skills he or she will need to do
independently at school, such as unwrapping straws, opening milk cartons, or
peeling oranges…and teach them to ask for help if they need it! This can
prevent healthy food from ending up in the trash.
· Review the monthly lunch menu with your child and discuss the
fruit and vegetable options available. Encourage them to eat school lunch,
especially on the days when they can try a new fruit or veggie!
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar