Healthy Snacks on Campus
Turns out kids actually will eat healthy snacks if given the opportunity.  A pilot program to supply healthy alternatives at concession stands took shape last month with the PTSA buying bananas and veggie burgers and donating them to the football boosters to sell at games in order to convince the doubters that nutritious food can be profitable.  Both sold well, and this program will be enlarged to cover other sports, with an expanded menu.  The school Wellness Policy requires a minimum of 20% of snacks sold at concession stands to meet healthy nutrition standards. 

The PTSA will continue to monitor the snacks available at campus food outlets and report this information to the School Board and the school Wellness Committee.  Any PTSA members interested in assisting with these efforts should contact me.

School Gardens
The crop is in the ground, finally.  About 15 elementary kids started planting their fall garden the last week in October thanks to the PTSA.  They are raising sugar peas, onions, romaine and head lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, radishes, carrots, collards, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, so stay tuned for the Florida High farmer's market in a couple months.  A butterfly garden will be added soon. 

Trevor Hylton from the FAMU Cooperative Extension Service is providing expertise and Marcus Boston and Zulima Webmis from the Leon County Agricultural Extension office are helping and organizing the kids into a 4-H Club.  Thanks also to Gramling's for the seeds and plants, teacher Barbara Davis for being the faculty sponsor, and to the following parents who are supervising the kids and helping with the planting: Angel Spicer, Julie Lengacher, Wendy Warrell, Irene Bivins, Hank Stephens, Jayne Cerio and Glenda Cobb. 

 
Bike Rodeo
The bike rodeo was a big success with double the number of kids (30) compared to last year.  They got free bike safety checks and helmets, and had had fun learning about bike safety on an obstacle course set up by the FSU Police Department.  Thanks to The Great Bicycle Shop, Joe's Bike Shop and Higher Ground Bicycle Shop for donating prizes, and to Krank It Up Community Bike Shop and the Dept. of Children and Families Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Section for providing the helmets.  Thanks also to parents Ross Burnaman for the tools, Mary Annette for the snacks, and Sally Young for the prizes.

Danni Vogt
Health and Safety Committee Chair
dannivogt@earthlink.net | 877-5641

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