We Are Always Hungry For A Healthy Snack

My Students

Do you know what it feels like to be sent to school two hours late without first having a shower or any breakfast? Well, many of my students come to school in this state quite often. Nutrition should be on the mind of most parents, but for many it takes a back seat to other more critical issues.

I am an elementary school teacher.

We are a hard to staff school and more than 90% of our students participate in the free lunch program. Our student body is predominantly African American with a small Hispanic population. Our school is located opposite a large housing project where most of the inhabitants fall into the low social economic bracket. Getting an education is a struggle for the young people in this community, as they are faced daily with many severe challenges. Many of our students come from single family homes and have parents who are incarcerated or involved in gang activity. Arriving at school on time with a good breakfast and homework completed is difficult.

My Project

For many years now I have worked with a nutritionist to facilitate a nutrition forum involving our students, in an effort to help them make more healthy choices. I want to have some healthy snacks to give to my students as well as others in the school environment, so that they can better focus and learn. I want the children to get in the habit to making healthier choices. Perhaps if these youngsters tasted different types of snacks they might try them more often. Many of my students are greatly overweight. One in every three NYC school children are obese. I see how this fact affects them daily; it's difficult for them to run and play and have fun with their friends at recess. Many retreat into the building and try to sit at a computer, or they might lean on the fence and watch the others run and play.

My project is important because there is a critical need for educators to address the issue of obesity in our schools.

Too many of our children are suffering. Too many of them cannot focus for they are hungry at times. My hope is that with some healthy snacks these youngsters will be able to focus more and in turn learn more daily.