News
"Recess Before Lunch" program at Pinewood starts this September
Updated Sept. 15, 2011
At the start of the 2011-12 school year, Pinewood School implemented a new “Recess Before Lunch” program.
Watch our informational video that was played for students at the beginning of the school year.
The program's name says it all. Students will be dismissed to the playground to play before returning to the cafeteria to eat their lunch. Following lunch, students will return to their classroom, ready to learn.
"We are confident this new program will assist in promoting better nutrition, achievement, and overall health and wellness for our students," said Pinewood Assistant Principal Deborah Kavanaugh.
While the program is new to Pinewood, it has been implemented at other area schools, as well as several schools around the country.
Does this
mean that students will have less time to eat or play?
Not at all. Your child will have the same 30 minute lunch/recess
period they had in the past – the only difference is that your child
will play before they eat their lunch.
What are the
benefits of the program?
There are many reported benefits to this type of program. Schools
who have implemented the program report the following benefits:
-
Greater nutrient consumption as children tend to eat a more balanced diet.
-
Less plate waste or food thrown away as children are more ready to eat, and are not in a rush to get outside to play.
-
Better classroom performance as children tend to pay more attention when they are not hungry.
-
Better lunchroom and classroom behaviors as children tend to be more focused on lunch rather than the playground and return to class feeling full and more settled.
-
Less visits to the health office as students are not physically active on a full stomach.
More
information
For more information about the “Recess Before Lunch” program, please
visit
http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/SchoolFood/RBL/RBLGuide2008.pdf.
Please contact the Pinewood School main office at 356-8430 with any questions or concerns.
