Live Well Kids

The Beach Cities Health District is sponsoring the LiveWell Kids obesity prevention program at Alta Vista Elementary School. Goals include:

• Increasing physical activity for students
• Improving knowledge and behaviors regarding healthy eating
• Increasing students access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables
• Providing nutrition knowledge to parents
• Promoting nutrition, physical activity and a healthy eating environment

This program is part of an ongoing commitment to raise active, healthy children in our community.

In partnership with BCHD LiveWell Kids Program, Alta Vista students enjoy tasting different farm fresh fruits each month during lunch.  Please click the link to see the monthly "Fresh Pick" as well as its health benefit http://bchd.org/bchd-centers-programs/livewell-kids

ABOUT LIVEWELL KIDS

Obesity is a major health issue that frequently begins in childhood. In 2005, Beach Cities Health District partnered with RBUSD to create LiveWell Kids to help combat the childhood obesity epidemic in our community. This unique program has three main goals:

• Increase access to, and consumption of, healthy foods
• Improve knowledge and behaviors about eating
• Increase physical activity

As part of LiveWell Kids, children participate in nutrition education, daily morning activities, building school gardens and have access to farm fresh fruits and vegetables—and the results show a reversing obesity trend.   

PROGRESS MADE TO DATE

• During the 2009-2010 school year, 4.5% of children moved to normal levels
• During the 2010-2011 school year, 5.1% of children moved to normal levels
• 525 extra life years gained due to lengthened life expectancy

Find more information, contact Donna Scotti, BCHD Youth Services Program Manager at [email protected]or 310-374-3426, x125, or visit http://www.bchd.org/

LIVEWELL KIDS IS NOW ONLINE!

For regular updates and information about the LiveWell Kids program, check out the BCHD's http://bchd.org/bchd-centers-programs/livewell-kids

GARDEN PLANTING/HARVESTING SCHEDULE

Look out for announcements regarding harvesting and planting dates. If anyone would like to help, please check with your teacher on class sign-up times, or just come out for the day! Parents and Family Members are welcome!

MONTHLY TASTE-TESTING

There are nine fruit and vegetable taste tests scheduled throughout the year, where the kids have the opportunity to sample new and different foods. As part of the Beach Cities Health District "LiveWell" Program, the goal is to encourage healthy eating habits for our children.

Taste tests will be conducted during your child's lunchtime. Look out for announcements regarding taste test dates.  All help is gratefully appreciated!

Nutrition Education Docents

Parent docents are needed in the classrooms to provide information on healthy eating, and conduct taste tests of healthy food samples.

Five trainings are held during the year.  The training times are 9:00 - 10:00 am for parent volunteers in Grades K-2, and 10:15-11:15 a.m. for Grades 3-5. Training location is at the Beach Cities Health District building located at 514 N. Prospect Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. The training dates for the rest of the year will be posted soon.

For more information about the project, download the LiveWell Kids Parent Docent flyer from the locker (see left).

Taste Testing Helpers

Parent helpers are needed to prepare and pass out the food samples during taste tests. Help is needed between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on testing days (see above), as taste tests are conducted during your child's lunchtime. Please spare an hour or two to work in the cafeteria preparing the samples - your children will be excited to see you there!

Gardeners

We have our own garden, which is available to all classrooms for a variety of activities and educational opportunities and eventually we hope that future taste tests will include fruits and vegetables grown in our own garden. We need help digging and planting the garden and maintaining it throughout the year.

If you are interested in being a docent or you can help with a taste test or some gardening, please contact ...

MORE INFORMATION

If you would like more information on this exciting new program, please contact ...