Yesteday morning was an exciting morning at Pierce Middle School — one of only 2% of the 101,000 schools in the nation to receive an award of distinction through their participation in the HealthierUS School Challenge. This program to promote fitness and health is part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign and sponsored by the USDA. A bevy of officials from the US Senate to the local school committee were on hand to commend the Pierce community and celebrate their acheivement.
The Pierce was awarded a Bronze Award for the efforts made by Jackie Morgan and the food service staff to replace processed foods with “meals that look good, taste good and are good for you. These schools have moved away from processed foods to meals that offer fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and reduced levels of fat, salt and sugar.” This according to James Arena-DeRosa, USDA’s Northeast Regional Administrator. He was on site yesterday to present the award to school officials and he wasn’t alone. U.S. Senator John Kerry, Representative Stephen Lynch, State Senator Brian Joyce, State Representatives Timilty and Dorcena-Forry were all present and congratualted the staff and students of Pierce for the acheivement. Local officials who joined them included; Superintendent Gormley, Asst Superintendents Phelan & Gillis, School Committee Members Pavlicek, Walker, & Keohane, Selectmen Sweeney & Shields.
“I am very excited for the Pierce Middle School and our Food Service Program,” said Principal James Jette. “Mrs. Morgan and her Food Service Staff work extremely hard to provide an array of healthy food choices, which ultimately leads to a well balanced and healthy meal each day for students and staff. The students enjoy our salad and fruit cart, as do I. From the kiwis, strawberries, and many other fruits to the fresh salads, our students love the food choices. It should also be noted that the staff encourages students to add vegetables, fruit and salads to their meals when they see students go through the line. This type of commitment and vigilance is what is making the program successful.”
To view gallery as slide show, click on “SL” in lower right. Photos by Moira Downes and Frank Schroth
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“Representatives from Whole Foods came to Pierce and worked in collaboration with our Health Teacher, Christopher Maine on October 3rd and 4th in the fall,” continued Jette. “They visited all of his health classes and did presentations to educate the students about the new Salad Bar and why it is good for them. They brought some composed salads that contained the ingredients that were going to be a part of the Salad bar!”
The new standards align school meals with the latest nutrition science and the real world circumstances of America’s schools. These responsible reforms do what’s right for children’s health in a way that’s achievable in schools across the Nation. Schools can use the HealthierUS School Challenge as a means of meeting the new reforms in school meal programs. Learn more at www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/index.html