France Giddings
investigator
A.C.A.
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From: Shelly Thorn[SMTP:roger.thorn@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 3:27 PM
To: lp*the@msn.com; france.giddings@metrokc.gov; tracy.hoien@verizon.net; Morrisson, Susan; JaneFAUS@aol.com
Subject: FW: District Nutrition Policies and Procedures
Hello Friends of Improved School Nutrition Policies,
I am endeavoring to open the lines of communication with the Lake Washington school district.
As you can read below, I was surprised to learn that the district is not in the midst of reviewing their weak, out-of-date policies. I hope to change this.
Depending upon their response, I may be asking you to help me round up support for a more rigorous oversight of the school's nutrition environment. This includes what is stocked in the vending machines, the quality and availability of drinking water, how food is used to reward performance and behavior, and how the cafeterias look, feel and smell, not to mention a few dangerous things that ought never be in our children's foods.
Any thoughts, please share! I'll keep you posted.
Shelly Thorn
-----Original Message-----
From: Shelly Thorn [mailto:roger.thorn@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 3:18 PM
To: 'Hulett, George'
Subject: RE: District Nutrition Policies and Procedures
Thank you George. I went to the website and found these policies:
Food Services Mgmt - Adopted 6/67, Rev 5/90
Food Services Mgmt EF-R - Adopted 6/67, Rev 5/90
Vending Machines - Adopted 5/72, Rev 5/90
Free & Reduced Price Food Services - Adopted 5/90
Is that everything?
I'm surprised to hear that the district is not currently looking at updating their nutrition policies as this is a big topic nationally right now with lots of proactive, positive changes going into effect. School administrators throughout the United States and United Kingdom are finding that by improving the nutrition environment in their schools, they are getting students that behave better and improve academically. Schools in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York and Florida as well as Worcestershire, Hamsted, Cheshire, Dunstable and Cobham in the U.K. have new school food programs that have resulted in a remarkable improvement in student learning and behavior.
I was quite surprised to read the Lake Washington district's nutrition policies. They are weak and out-of-date, considering how much is known today. Aside from the experiential success of schools such as those I mention above, many studies link junk food with hyperactivity, attention deficits, obesity and other problems in children.
Would you like to see the much more effective policies and procedures that are being worked on for the Seattle School District? I would be happy to bring them by and meet with you to discuss. Generally I am available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons - does that work for you?
Most importantly, I would very much like to hear from you and the superintendent what the district needs to see/hear to consider improved nutrition policies to be a priority. I'm surprised that as a relatively educated and leading-edge district that we don't already have a desire to be in on the improvements being seen in other schools. I am a member of the state PTA legislative committee and Washington State's Children's Alliance initiative to reform Seattle School's nutrition policies and if you think it's necessary, I could utilize these organizations to help provide you and the district with more information and/or demand.
But of course I would like to be efficient and not waste time so I would first like to clearly understand what you would expect to see to agree that improved nutrition policies should be a priority.
Sincerely,
Shelly Thorn
-----Original Message-----
From: Hulett, George [mailto:ghulett@lkwash.wednet.edu]
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 3:21 PM
To: roger.thorn@comcast.net
Cc: Hulett, George
Subject: RE: District Nutrition Policies and Procedures
Hi Shelly,
If you visit the districts website at WWW.lkwash.wednet.edu there is a link to all of the board policies. The district is not currently looking at adopting any new nutrition related policies but may be in the future. It would be great to receive a copy of the new nutrition policy that the Seattle Schools adopt as a reference for our district.
We do have quarterly food service advisory meetings to receive input on how we might be able to improve the food service program and it would be great if you could attend our next meeting. We have not yet set a date (probably in October) but I will add your name to our email/invitation list to let you know when the next meeting is scheduled - hopefully you will be able to attend.
Sincerely,
George Hulett
Food Service Director
-----Original Message-----
From: Shelly Thorn [mailto:roger.thorn@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 4:46 PM
To: Hulett, George
Subject: District Nutrition Policies and Procedures
Hello George,
My name is Shelly Thorn. I'm a parent of elementary ed students in LWSD.
I'm interested in learning about LWSD's nutrition policies and procedures and providing help and feedback when possible.
While not a professional in the nutrition industry, I am fairly well versed in nutrition and research connecting food and child behavior, learning and health.
I was wondering if you are aware of - or involved in - the effort currently underway to specify new nutrition policies and procedures for Seattle Schools. Shelley Curtis of Children's Alliance is the point person on this effort and the policies are currently in draft form. They include the topics of school meal programs, drinking water quality, cafeteria environment, "competitive" foods (vending, fundraising, rewards, etc) and food as a reward. I believe there are two additional topics under development. I am currently providing input on these documents.
I wonder if LWSD will be interested in adopting or adapting these policies when completed or if you might have your own effort underway.
Sincerely,
Shelly Thorn
425-558-0686
