District administrators corner

by Loren Glasbrenner,  River Valley School District Administrator  Nutrition is important at every age. Every child needs proper nutrients to remain healthy and to develop the brain. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shares, “All nutrients are important for neuronal cell growth and development, but some appear to have greater effects during certain developmental time periods … There is a direct effect of nutrient deficiency or supplementation on the developing brain...”  All in all, a child needs food to develop healthfully and the River Valley School District Food Service team recognizes that need. We are incredibly fortunate to have a national focus on helping schools provide healthy meals to our students. The National School Lunch Program in the United States has served our American schools for over 75 years.  The merits of this program have been highlighted as our nation battles the needs of a health pandemic.  School nutritionists and kitchens worked to prepare food for students and the River Valley team rallied and worked with volunteers to deliver thousands of meals last year.  The work continues.  This year, more than 2,400 public and private schools are providing daily meals for free to ensure students continue to have what they need in order to learn. Yet, nutrition education is still greatly needed.  A large body of research shows that healthy eating patterns, along with regular physical activity, can help children and adults achieve and maintain development and health.  The CDC reports, “During 2015–2018, children and adolescents consumed on average 13.8% of their daily calories from fast food on a given day. Adolescents aged 12–19 consumed a higher percentage of calories from fast food than children aged 2–11 years.”   This makes sense.  As kids gain independence, they choose quicker and faster options for meals.  I, myself, am more than happy to enjoy a quick sandwich from Subway or Culver’s from time to time.  But as a child, the daily calories received greatly affects brain and body development.  Our schools have taken a greater role in the nourishment of American children in the past 25 years.  The diet quality for children has improved over the years, but children are still falling short of dietary recommendations.  One of the ways we help is by providing healthy school lunches. Our school lunches provide a meal packed with nutrients to help balance and provide what a student needs.  We have a team of devoted personnel preparing and serving our students everyday:  Cindy Eby, Jaime Hisel, Mary Bindl, Lorna Ray, Michelle Johanning, Sue Fahrni, Holly Abel, Elaine Graves, Diane Ricky-Forseth, Jean Marks, Donna Rossing, Denise Sebranek, and Christine Clement.  Thank you. This week the state is recognizing and congratulating the National School Lunch Program.  Through the statewide guidance of school nutrition and devotion from our team, we provide an incredible resource to the families of River Valley.