The Patriot Cafe
Fuel up to Play 60 grants consists of in-school nutrition and physical activity programs that are supported by the National Dairy Council, local dairy councils and the National Football League. The La Habra City School District Wellness Committee has worked with the local dairy councils, the Orange County Department of Education and St. Jude Medical Center to obtain “Fuel up to Play 60” grants at six of the District’s nine schools over the past 18 months. This constitutes the highest percentage of schools within one district to receive the awards and the most awards received by a single district with the exception of Los Angeles Unified School District.
The almost $25,000 in grant funds received to date has been designated for a variety of expenditures. In addition to purchasing hockey equipment for the Physical Education Classes, Washington Middle School has transformed their cafeteria into the “Patriot Café.” Several schools are purchasing “Cooking Stations” that will allow teachers to teach hands-on, nutrition lessons in their classrooms. The best part of the nutrition lessons is that the students will have the opportunity to eat their healthy projects.
Imperial Middle School has developed a “Blenderless Smoothie Cart” as well as “Grab and Go” lunches that will provide students with healthy alternatives while reducing the lines in the traditional school cafeteria. Ladera Palma Elementary School will be putting a “Fresh Produce Stand” in the corner of the cafeteria to provide Students with fresh fruits and vegetables. The new area of Ladera Palma’s cafeteria will include food carts, displays and a student-generated mural to be painted on the wall.
Several of the Elementary Schools in the La Habra City School District are using the funds to purchase jump ropes, tetherballs and red handballs as teachers are instructing students in the traditional schoolyard games. The attitude of supporting a healthier student is nothing new as the La Habra City School District and their partners have joined together to “Re-think Your Drink”, “Walk to School Wednesdays,” and with the help of our Credentialed PE Teachers, have developed a comprehensive program that encourages our Students to Move More and Eat Healthy.