In This Issue

• HSC News: Chef in the Classroom Day; The Stories Behind Cooking up Change; New Green Clean Guide
• Policy Updates: What's Next for Child Nutrition; Prioritizing Physical Activity; Green, Healthy Schools Policy
• Recent Blog Entries: Jamie Oliver; Recess; Green Cleaning for the School Community; Fresh from the Farm and more

HSC News

Chef in the Classroom Day Brings Healthy Eating Lessons to School
Chefs Visit Chicago Schools in Response to First Lady Michelle Obama's Chefs Move to Schools Initiative

Kindergarten student reacts to a veggie tasting at McAuliffeSchool on Chef in the Classroom Day

On Oct. 4, HSC collaborated with Chicago Public Schools to present Chef in the Classroom Day: 67 chefs fanned out across the city, bringing cooking demonstrations, veggie tastings and healthy eating lessons to Chicago school children.

Chef in the Classroom is a program of the Go for the Gold campaign, a citywide effort to support schools in meeting the high standards for food, physical activity and nutrition education set by the HealthierUS School Challenge, the program First Lady Michelle Obama is urging schools to take on. In particular, Chef in the Classroom is a response to the Chefs Move To Schools initiative launched in June as part of the First Lady's Let's Move initiative to reverse childhood obesity.

At the launch, chefs from across the country -- including many Chicago-area chefs who ultimately shaped and took part in the Oct. 4 activities -- visited the White House to hear the first lady’s call to action for culinary professionals.

Chef in the Classroom Day is one of the largest coordinated efforts for chefs to take their skills and love of food to the classroom in response to the first lady’s initiative.

"I am feeling a deep appreciation as a chef and a mom for HSC organizing this day and just being there to make me feel like my trip to the White House was worth taking," said Chef Liz Isaacs. "After my cooking class at the school, moms were coming up to me in total shock and telling me their kids loved the veggies. Teachers were saying the kids are still talking about it!"

After spending the morning in the classroom, chefs connected with principals to talk about ways to stay involved and support the schools' healthy eating and food education efforts.

"This is one of thosethings that means so much more than we could ever imagine," said Chef Vanessa LedBetter of her experience connecting with students along with Chef Ken Shareef. " I remember instances from my youth that have stayed with me all my life.  Our deepest hope is that this is one of those moments that we shared with the children."

Kudos to all the incredible chefs who brought their knowledge and energy to the classroom! And thank you to our partners at Purple Asparagus, Chartwells Thompson, Preferred Meals, Chicago Public Schools, Common Threads, Kendall College and many, many others who made Chef in the Classroom Day such a tremendous success.

Plus: Check out photos of chefs and kids across the city in our Chef in the Classroom Day photo gallery!

Veggie tasting at McAuliffeSchool

Video Spotlight: The Stories of Cooking up Change
What is the real impact of the healthy cooking contest?

Cooking up Change is about empowering high school culinary students to have a voice in the national dialogue about school food. It’s about the food policy that shapes school meals. It’s about school food service working with students to create healthy new menus.

Now, we invite you to go behind the scenes of Cooking up Change and hear the personal stories of individuals who see the sometimes surprising impact of the healthy cooking contest.

You can check out more videos and personal stories online at www.CookingupChange.org!

Many thanks to everyone who shared their remarkable personal stories as well to our generous sponsors and host committee for Cooking up Change.

The benefit has sold out for the past several years, so reserve your tickets today. For more details, visit www.CookingupChange.org.

HSC Releases Expanded and Re-Designed Third Edition of The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools
Guide Available Free to Schools & Non-Profits

HSC is thrilled to announce the release of the updated, expanded and re-designed third edition of The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools! 

Shaped with input from educators, school facility managers, health advocates, school custodians and cleaning industry pioneers, this new third edition makes it easier than ever to get detailed information about every step of developing or expanding your green cleaning program.

The guide includes updated information and resources on infection control, sustainability, green cleaning for food service, laundry care, new technologies and more. It also features a virtual roundtable of expert voices on green cleaning from around the U.S. and an enhanced purchasing directory with more than 600 products that meet HSC’s environmental standards for schools.

The third edition was developed with the support of 23 national education stakeholder organizations and 34 cleaning industry corporate leaders following the distribution of more than 90,000 copies of the popular and highly-regarded first and second editions.

The Quick & Easy Guide offers an authoritative, easy-to-use resource for getting started or moving forward with a healthy, effective and affordable green cleaning program.

To learn more, access the guide online or order your free copy, visit www.greencleanschools.org!

Policy Updates

Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization Stalled: What's Next?
Fight for a Strong Child Nutrition Act Isn't Over Yet

Advocates have been pushing for a new Child Nutrition bill for nearly two years now. (For a recap of analysis along the way, check out the child nutrition section of HSC's blog.) And while expectations were high early on, political realities eventually set in.The most recent bills under consideration (including the one passed by the Senate) include only a six-cent increase in meal reiumbursement rates for schools, with some of that funding coming from food stamps. But the bills also include strong regulatory changes that could make an important difference to schools.

As the act was set to expire on Sept. 30, the House delayed its vote until after the autumn recess, instead passing a two-month extension of the overall federal budget (including current school food funding and policy).

What does this mean? The House could bring the act up for a vote in the so-called lame duck session after Nov. elections. For the next two months, we'll to continue advocating for a bill that includes these important changes to school food standards and policy -- and funding from a source other than food stamps.

You can add your voice to that advocacy here.

Making Physical Education Part of the Core Curriculum & Part of the School Day

Physical activity during the school day not only keeps kids healthier, but also helps them academically and socially. Even though the benefits of physical activity in schools are clear, in this era of standardized testing, physical education is rarely made a priority.

We now have a chance to change this! The upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, the act currently known as No Child Left Behind) is a great chance for the Department of Education to acknowledge the importance of physical activity in schools by including physical education as a core subject. Inclusion of PE as a core subject means more quality physical education programs for students across the country.

Currently, the reauthorization of ESEA does not list physical education as a core subject; however, last month, Senator Tom Udall introduced the PHYSICAL Act, which, if passed, would designate physical education as a core subject within ESEA. Learn more and take action at the HSC blog.

Speak Up for Kids' Environmental Health at School: Support the Clean, Green, and Healthy Schools Initiative

The Senate Subcommittee on the Environment, Interior and Related Agencies will soon discuss the EPA budget for fiscal year 2011. We at HSC are particularly excited about the proposed EPA budget because it includes a substantial increase in funding for the Clean, Green, and Healthy Schools Initiative.

The proposed funding for this initiative will support efforts to develop existing school environmental health programs that focus on asthma, indoor air quality, chemical cleanout, green practices and integrated pest management. If the full funding is approved, EPA will lead efforts to create healthier school environments for all students.

Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the Clean, Green, and Healthy Schools Initiative! Learn more and take action at the HSC blog.

Recent Blog Entries

HSC's staff experts discuss news stories and new developments every week at the HSC Blog. Stop by and leave a question or comment. And while you're there, enter your email address for automatic delivery on days when a new blog entry has been posted. Here's a look at some of our recent posts:

Jamie Oliver Said it Right: The Fight for a Strong, Well-Funded Child Nutrition Act Isn't Over Yet| by Mark Bishop
I’ve spoken to many people who felt deflated when the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization didn’t pass. I understand. We’ve been working hard, and at times it’s hard to understand why our political leaders just can’t seem to find the way to prioritize children’s health. But Jamie Oliver said it well in an editorial on CNN. In short, he said that the fight isn’t over and we need to keep the momentum alive -- in our schools and in the national political scene. . . . Read more

Report Shows Schools Cutting Recess to Focus on Testing, But Kids Learn Best When They Move More
| by Lindsay Muscato
HSC works to save recess because research shows that unstructured physical activity can be crucial to a child's development, helping to prevent obesity, supporting learning and teaching healthy habits for a lifetime. But a recent story on University of Texas public radio station KUT reports that schools are cutting recess in favor of more prep for mandatory high-stakes testing. As the story points out, this move may actually hurt students' academic performance. This is something we've heard from school leaders across the country, and the story describes the issue well. . . . Read more

Expert Voices: How Green Cleaning Fits into the School Community | by Lindsay Muscato
HSC has just released our new, expanded edition of The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools! As we created the guide, we spoke with experts to gain feedback on what really works in schools today. One of the exciting new additions to the guide is an Expert Voices panel spotlighting practical advice from leaders in the field. Here, Pat Pizzo, Director of School Facilities & Operations at East Meadow School District on Long Island, N.Y., explains how the green cleaning program has gained acceptance within the school community. . . . Read More

Resource Spotlight: Fresh from the Farm | by Kathleen Parkinson
Children who learn to understand and appreciate the source and nature of their food are laying the foundation for a healthier tomorrow. This quiet but powerful concept is at the core of Fresh from the Farm, an educational program of the nonprofit Seven Generations Ahead. Using a fun, hands-on approach to learning, Fresh from the Farm threads together ecology, healthy eating, organics, and local farming through year-round curriculum lessons and activities. . . . Read More

Student Perspective: Documentary Film Lunch Line | by Christine Andersen
This summer, I had the opportunity to see a screening of Lunch Line, a humorous and heartwarming yet informative documentary on the many current issues concerning school lunch. Part of the film features last year’s Cooking up Change winners, the students of Tilden High School here in Chicago. The film interviewed each of the winning students from Tilden, who actually joined us for the Chicago premiere of the film that night. . . . Read more

Friday Recipe: Ensalada de Jícama y Naranja, Light & Refreshing | by Jovita Flores
This is a recipe that's perfect for a hot day after school. It is a recipe my mother often made when I was a student in Mexico as an after-school snack after a warm day. As a young student, it was always nice to come home from school and eat something refreshing and tasty. My mom would always greet my siblings and me after school with a fresh salad of jicama and orange. . . . ". Read More

Bus Fumes a Threat to Children’s Health | by Ashley Collins
Did you ever think the school bus your children may be riding is a serious threat to their health? While riding on a school bus is generally a safe way a student can travel to school, diesel exhaust from school buses can pose a significant health threat to school children, drivers and school staff. The exhaust from diesel buses contains over 40 toxic air contaminants, carcinogens, ozone smog-forming compounds, and fine particulate matter . . . " Read more

Go for the Gold School Spotlight: Madero Middle School | by Rosa Ramirez
When the parents from Madero Middle School approached principal Principal Jose Luis Illanes to approve the school sponsored after-school nutrition and healthy cooking classes, he quickly agreed. In fact, he offered the unused culinary arts room -- which was planned to be destroyed -- to host the healthy cooking and nutrition workshop series. Students and parents explain that this program has helped them feel more connected to the school, get involved and be more conscious of the food choices they make. . . . Read More

A Great Day For HSC & Green Clean Partners: The Third Annual Green Clean Schools National Summit in Washington, DC | by Alex Schaible
HSC brought together more than 40 advocates, cleaning manufacturers, distributors and national partners in Washington, D.C. for our third Green Clean Schools National Summit. The day gave participants a chance to network, share updates, and plan for efforts to promote green cleaning policy in schools around the country. Participants had the opportunity to hear Dr. Peter Grevatt, Director of the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection and Environmental Education, speak about the connection between children’s health and the health of our environment. . . . Read More

National School Lunch Week: Presidential Proclamation, Great Resources & Personal Action | by Mark Bishop
Did you know that this week is National School Lunch Week? Last Friday, President Obama issued a proclamation stating that he is committed to making sure that the National School Lunch Program serves “meals that will contribute to the health and well-being of a new generation.” This is a lofty goal and of course one that we enthusiastically support. . . . Read More

"Part of it is just that vegetables are a little intimidating. I’m not afraid of zucchinis, but I just don’t know how to cook them."
~ New York resident David Bernstein on the need for nutrition education and Americans' continued struggle to eat their veggies, as quoted in The New York Times

Get your school year off to a clean, green start with the new edition of HSC's Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools. This multi-media guide is filled with practical advice, tools and resources to help you take action.
Order your free guide »

Becoming a Zero Waste School | Chicago | Oct. 13 | More

Protecting Children Health for a lifetime: Environmental Health Research Meets Clinical Practice and Public Policy | Washington, DC | Oct. 19 | More

Legal Strategies in Childhood Obesity Prevention | Washington, DC | Oct. 21 | More

Second Annual Taste of Fooditude | Chicago | Oct. 21 | More

Cooking up Change | Chicago | Nov. 4 | More

Illinois Obesity Action Summit | Oak Park, IL | Dec. 3 | More

Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium | Washington, DC |Jan. 13-15 | More

Hosting a relevant school health event for the HSC calendar? Let us know!

My School Looks Like This
10.8.2010 | Slate

Program brings 60 chefs to Chicago classrooms
10.4.2010 | AP

Chefs come to Chicago classrooms
10.4.2010 | Chicago Defender

Chicago chefs spice up schools' new push for healthy eating
10.4.2010 | Chicago Tribune

Beyond Sports: Cooking up Change
9.19.2010 | ESPN Radio 1000: Beyond Sports

Tweet with HSC!

UnitedHealth HEROES Service-Learning Grants
Deadline: Oct. 22, 2010
Awards grants to help youth create and implement local, hands-on programs to fight childhood obesity | More

People's Garden School Pilot Program
Deadline: Nov. 8, 2010
To develop and run community gardens at eligible high-poverty schools, teaching students about agriculture, diet, and nutrition; contributing produce; and conducting evaluation to learn about the impacts of school gardens | More

National Gardening Association and Home Depot Youth Garden Grants
Deadline: Nov. 1, 2010
To support schools or organizations that plan to garden in 2011 with at least 15 children. | More

Peaceful Pathways Grants
Deadline: Rolling
Matching grant programs for new, community-based projects that improve health and health care for vulnerable populations | More

Project Learning Tree Garden Grants
Deadline: Dec. 1 , 2010
Grants to teachers and students participating in PollinatorLIVE: A Distance Learning Adventure. Apply for funding to create pollinator gardens in the schoolyard or community. | More

National Radon Poster Contest
Deadline: Oct. 31, 2010
Creative and educational way to raise radon awareness; top national winners receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. | More

Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grants Deadline: Oct. 15, 2010
Grants focus on one-time project needs that have the greatest and most efficient impact on school functioning | More

The Big Help
Deadline: Dec. 31, 2010
To support projects that inspire kids to take care of the environment; lead active, healthy lives; engage in community service; or improve their educational experience | More