Dexter Schools Snack Policy Removes Sweets from Classrooms

A new draft school snack policy for the 2011-12 school year is getting lukewarm response from parents of Dexter Community Schools students. The policy, which aims to promote more healthful eating, will be implemented at , , and schools.

The policy was drafted by the district's Move Forward Advisory Council, a coalition of parent and staff representatives from each school; the district's food and nutrition director, school nurse and physician; the Move Forward program manager; and a representative from the Chelsea Community Hospital. The coalition is funded by a one-year $63,000 grant from the Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation.

"Dexter schools were given a grant to improve nutrition and fitness in the children and families in our community," said Cheri McLean, Move Forward program manager. "In the short term, this will be achieved by implementing school policy that will increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables by students.

"The new snack policy for 2011-12 has been drafted and supports students bringing fruits, vegetables and proteins for snack," she said.

McLean said that in response to parent and staff feedback, the coalition may amend the policy to include whole grain snacks as well. She said a list of appropriate snacks will be provided to parents in June.

"Teaching children moderation and the value of following policy is a collaborative effort from schools, children and parents," she said.

The policy was presented to parents by McLean last week at Cornerstone’s parent-teacher group meeting. PTG President Christy Vander Haagen said reaction to the policy was met with more questions than answers.

"Parents seemed to like the idea that healthy snacks such as carrots and apples would be made available for purchase to children whose parents may not have packed a healthy snack, Vander Haagen said.

"Some feathers were ruffled, however, when Ms. McLean said teachers would be expected to ask students whose snacks did not meet the healthy guidelines, per the new policy, to remove the snack from the classroom," she said.

But McLean said the policy does not ask teachers to "police" snack time. 

"They will not be asking students to put away their snacks (if they do not comply with the policy)," McLean said.

McLean said the policy was drafted after the Move Forward Health and Wellness Committee sent out surveys to parents, seeking input on promoting healthful lifestyles in the district. The policy then was presented to each building principal for final approval.

Cornerstone Principal Craig McCalla said he is an advocate of the policy. 

“Eating healthy is a valuable life lesson," he said. "I feel it is important for schools to encourage healthy eating.

"Many parents and teachers have brought up the issue of birthday treats and unhealthy snacks, and I feel this policy is a step toward encouraging healthy eating,” McCalla said.

Parent Sheri Ackerman said she would like to see the coalition address cafeteria menu items before policing individual student lunches.

“If we are going to be this strict when it comes to healthy snacks, is it safe to assume the cafeteria will only be serving healthy food as well? I think the meals served there are a much bigger concern than a small snack," she said.

McLean said the Food and Nutrition Department has already begun offering more healthy alternatives for students.

"Many people are unaware of the positive changes that have occurred in our school lunch program," she said. "The school lunch program is constantly evolving and changing and trying to meet the nutrition needs of all students.

"The program is very open and supportive of providing healthy choices," McLean said. "The school community, as a whole, should embrace this program, support it through fundraising and volunteers, and that is when there will be more positive changes in the school lunch program."

According to the new policy, sweet treats for student birthday parties will no longer be permitted.

McLean said she understands that new policies can cause confusion and is available to talk with parents if they have questions.

"We have received emails and phone calls from many parents who find these policies initially difficult to adopt," she said. "That is understandable. Change is difficult, and it is outside of our school's comfort zone. That does not mean change is bad, it is just difficult.

"These policies have been implemented in many school districts, and this is not a new concept," McLean said. "They follow the Michigan nutrition standards approved by the State Board of Education in October 2010."

Editor's note: Christy Vander Haagen contributed to this story.