Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: March 13, 2006
Contact: Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, 222-5922

North Kingstown School Health and Wellness Council to Survey Nutrition and Physical Activity Practices in Local Schools

The School Health and Wellness Council for the North Kingstown School District convened a team of members to administer the Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition School Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey throughout the district. Through the survey, the Council will assess the state of nutrition and physical activity practices in North Kingstown schools. The survey will help the Council plan and strategize how to improve the nutrition and physical activity environments to help children build better habits for healthy lives.

This is a timely endeavor for the North Kingstown School District as the issue of school nutrition has come to light with a recently submitted legislative proposal that would require the removal of all unhealthful snacks and drinks from Rhode Island schools.

The team plans to administer the survey in the following schools: Hamilton Elementary School, Fishing Cove Elementary School, Davisville Elementary School, Stony Lane School, Forest Park School, Wickford Middle School, Davisville Middle School, Quidnessett School, and North Kingstown High School. The survey looks at several key areas of nutrition and physical activity, including items sold in vending machines and at school fundraisers, the school’s nutrition policy, classroom nutrition and physical activity curricula, and cafeteria meal service.

North Kingstown’s School Health and Wellness Council is a result of successful legislation developed by the Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition. School committees in all 36 Rhode Island school districts have established similar Councils, which will develop policies and strategies to decrease obesity and improve the health and wellness of students and employees.

A diverse group of North Kingstown residents are members of the School Health and Wellness Council, including school nurses, a physical education teacher, the Director of Administrative Services, the Supervisor of Food Services, a West Bay YMCA representative, a parent/Rhode Island Department of Health employee, and several parents with interests and backgrounds in health and wellness.

Rhode Islanders who are interested in joining their local School Health and Wellness Council should contact their school committee representative or school department for more information.