FAIRMONT — The school holiday party is changing.
Most adults look back on their school days and fondly remember holiday parties. You know, those events where your mom baked dozens of cupcakes and another mom made dozens of cookies and you and your classmates gorged on candy, arriving home on a sugar high to drive your parents insane.
While the classroom parties remain the same, the food choices are dramatically different these days.
Terri Atha, supervisor of child nutrition for Marion County Schools, said a new statewide policy went into effect July 1. That policy has had a profound effect on what can be served as snacks in the schools.
Atha said the new policy states snacks must be:
• No more than 200 calories per product.
• No more than 35 percent of the calories can come from fat.
• No more than 10 percent of the calories can come from saturated fat.
• No more than .5 grams of trans fat.
• No more than 35 percent of the calories can be from sugar.
• No more than 200 milligrams of sodium per package.
Also, no more homemade treats — everything must be prepackaged from a store. That provision helps prevent allergic reactions and enhance food safety, Atha said.
“We’re promoting more fresh fruit and vegetables,” she said.
Since this is the first year for the policy, it’s all about implementation and educating parents and teachers, Atha said. Next year, all schools must be completely in compliance, she said.
At the start of the school year, parents received a list of approved treats. That list has since been revised because some of the treats, such as some name-brand snack cakes, didn’t meet the requirements. A revised list was sent out to parents on Oct. 8, Atha said.
Beyond the problem with the lists, Atha said there have been no real problems with implementing the new snack guidelines.
The new policy hopes to promote healthier eating among children and their parents, she said.
“If they learn about it at school, they carry it home to their parents,” Atha said. “We have concerns about childhood obesity and there are children with high blood pressure and cholesterol, even at young ages.”
E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.
Local News
New state policy limits options for school snacks
- Local News
-
-
Teaching on their level
“I would like to nominate Lois Thibodeau for ‘My Favorite Teacher.’ She is the special needs Pre-K teacher at Watson Elementary School.” This was Kristi Wolford singing the praises of Lois Thibodeau.
-
DHHR requiring additional vaccines for students
Seventh- and 12th-graders who return to class in the fall without certain immunizations will not be allowed to attend school unless they get the required inoculations.
-
Cost of crime
Victim.
You never thought this would be you.
But you are the victim of a nonviolent or violent crime.
After contacting the proper authorities, you may be bewildered as to what happens next. -
More streets to be paved this week
Even more city streets will be paved this week than expected.
City Manager Jay Rogers said the spring paving required fewer tons of asphalt to cover the distance than originally estimated. That means there’s asphalt to spare and more streets are getting paved this spring. -
Bertoletti has 33 pepperoni rolls in only 10 minutes to win
If there’s one Memorial Day tradition that everybody participates in, one way or another, it’s eating.
Maybe it’s at a picnic at one of the many venues scattered across Marion County, enjoying hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad and other seasonal food. -
Assaults, physical or not, affect ‘sense of safety and trust’
An assault of any kind — whether it’s physical or not — can be traumatizing.
“You don’t need to have suffered any cuts or scratches,” said Dr. Ronald Pearse, “but any kind of assault affects your sense of safety and trust.” -
Reasoning Mind excites students
As a teacher, Beverly Stewart has never been more thrilled than when she sees the benefits a newer program has done for her students.
Pleasant Valley Elementary fifth-grade student Calista Muzzapelle worked diligently on her assignments last week, much like she had during her Christmas break. -
Pepperoni roll prize
To someone from out of state, the pepperoni roll might seem like a mystery.
“Is it like a calzone?” they might ask, “or a stromboli?”
Unique to the state of West Virginia, the pepperoni roll represents the Italian heritage of many of the miners in the early 20th century mixed with hardworking Mountaineer common sense. -
BOE seeks land for new middle schools
The Marion County Board of Education is looking at land to build new middle schools in Mannington and Monongah.
If all goes as planned, county voters will see a bond on the November ballot. -
Former WVU coach takes final journey home
Bill Stewart has made his way back home.
The former West Virginia University football coach, who died suddenly earlier this week of a heart attack at 59, was laid to rest Friday in his hometown of New Martinsville. - More Local News Headlines
-
