Will the students of today be the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents?  Does the face of a child suffering from malnutrition resemble the face of a child adversely affected by over-nutrition?  Will academic success become more and more difficult for students to attain as lifestyle choices diminish a child’s ability to learn?

If you know the answers to these questions, you are one of millions who are aware that discouraging statistics emerge every day regarding the general health of America’s school aged populations.  The School Nutrition Association (formerly American School Food Service Association) was established in 1946, shortly after lawmakers passed the National School Lunch Act, allowing healthy, affordable meals for America’s school children.  Leaders in 1946 were not content with the level of malnutrition in America.  Today, school foodservice professionals continue to build on the record of healthy, safe, and nutritious meals-as well as nutrition education.

A healthy school environment goes beyond school meals in the cafeteria.  A healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight requires a combination of healthy food choices and appropriate amount of physical activity.  All foods made available on school campuses should offer children nutritious choices, and physical activity should be incorporated into the school day as often as possible.  The healthy, physically active child is more like to be academically successful.

With the recent passage of the Act (Public Law 108:Section 204) requiring each Local Education Authority (LEA) to have a local wellness policy in place, the federal government recognizes that a coordinated effort by the entire community including child nutrition professionals, school board member, parents, student, school administrators, and teachers is warranted. 

On April 25,2005 a preliminary meeting was held to discuss the forming of a Wellness Policy Committee.  Ellen Baer, Linda Dugas and Wendy McCaul were in attendance.  It was decided that Wendy McCaul would attend the May2, 2005 meeting of the Health Advisory Council to discuss a Wellness Policy.  The following people volunteered to be on the committee: Wendy McCaul, Linda Dugas, Wendy Long, Jodie Kroc, Laura Fisk, Ellen Baer, Melissa McCaul, Joanne Blocker,Andrea Tosi and Dr. Hopson. 

The first official meeting of the committee was held June 6, 2005.  Wendy McCaul presented information to the school committee in late June.  The committee met monthly for over six months, and presented this policy to the school committee for approval.  The School Committee voted to approve the Gateway Wellness Policy on March 22, 2006.