Pre-Kinder and Kindergarten Program

The Alisal Network for a Healthy CA is working with the kindergarten and pre-kinder classes in the Alisal Union School District.  Currently, classes are being serviced through either assembly presentations or traditional nutrition education classes. Students have been introduced to a new and popular character named "Frijolito." Our students have enjoyed learning a variety of nutrition and health related subjects such as safe fruit and vegetable handling procedures and they have learned to eat new fruits and vegetables through tast testing lessons. The lessons have been entertaining and effective in teaching our kindergarten and pre-kinder students the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables and of being more physically active.

1st grade through 6^th grade Nutrition Education

The Alisal Union School Network for a Healthy California works with first grade through sixth grade students.Nutrition Educators meet with classes and present nutrition education classes on a regular basis to our district’s students. They the various grade levels, present lessons that are appropriately designed to meet the requirements of our state standards and that follow the Network for a Health California, Champions for Change educational plan. They also design and present lessons that are cross curricular and it is not uncommon for our educators to incorporate science, language arts, math, health, English Language Development and physical fitness with nutrition. They cover topics such as the new food pyramid, portion control and the components of our nutrients. The goal is to have students learn about the benefits of fruits and vegetables and of physical activity so they will be able to make wise choices inthe care of their bodies.They use the materials from the Harvest of the Month to ensure that students are also being exposed to fruits and vegetable they moight not normally eat. Students are given the opportunity to try new fruits and vegetables through our taste testing and healthy snacks sessions.  

Garden Based Nutrition Education

Throughout the district we encourage the use of school gardens to teach our students about a healthy lifestyle. The gardens are used to support and enhance nutrition education as well as provide an enjoyable source of physical activity. Children learn about food systems from the first stages of planting to harvesting and preparation. Local farmers visit our school gardens and teach our students about agriculture. In addition, with our partner consultants. we expose students to the agricultural industry by having studnets take field trips to local farms.

Our school gardens have become quite popular with our students. Students choose to visit the gardens during the lunch hour and the after school hours. They have garden clubs that have been able to harvest many fruits and vegetables. Occasionally, they harvest enough produce to provide some to their school cafeteria’s salad bar.