Nutrition News            
Hartford Public Schools
Department of Food Services
and Nutrition Education
Vol. VI, Issue III, 1998-99

Breakfast at Burns for CMT's

Three cheers for the principal of Burns Elementary School, Irvin Guidicelli. Mr. Guidicelli, the staff, and the students at Burns did a tremendous amount of work preparing for the Connecticut Mastery Tests. During the days of the CMT, the Food Services and Nutrition Education Department sponsored the celebrity breakfast program, so the school "Celebrities" could encourage the 4th and 6th grade students to eat breakfast and do well on their tests.

Mr. Guidicelli, Cook Manager, Jose Velazquez, and Eunice McKenney, Head Breakfast and Lunch Supervisor took the concept a step further. They served breakfast to all 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade students in their classrooms because they were all taking some form of the CMT. The breakfast program for these students has continued beyond the Connecticut Mastery Testing program because the teachers have observed the student's concentration, cooperation, and learning has improved with the addition of breakfast for all.

 Mr. Guidicelli, Mr. Velazquez and Ms. McKenney have paved the way toward healthful eating by starting each school day with a good breakfast for more than 450 children at Burns School. When students are not focused on hunger, they can focus on learning.
 


Five A Day Poster Contest Winners

The Hartford Public School's Art Department submitted over one hundred posters for the Five A Day Contest which were judged by staff from CT Departments of Health and Agriculture, Hartford Public Schools, and the Culinary Institute. Mrs. Marta Renta's students from Clark School won first and third place and Ms. Michelle Currier's students from Wish School won second place. Clark's Dwight Teal won a bicycle for a first prize gift. Julio Rodriguez and Jean Perales, from Wish worked together on a poster and won second place. Jean won a bicycle and Julio won a CD/tape boom box. Elizabeth Velez from Clark won an indoor basketball hoop. Congratulations to all the students for submitting outstanding posters.
 


Food Allergies

A food allergy is any adverse reaction to a food or food component involving the body's immune system. It is different from an intolerance, which is uncomfortable but does not involve the immune system.

 An allergic reaction can come from within a few minutes to a few hours after contact with the food. Most reactions are mild with symptoms including hives, swelling or redness around the eyes, mouth or ears, nausea, cramps, wheezing, sneezing, or a feeling that the throat is closing. In rare cases, people with allergies can stop breathing or go into shock.

 Although only five percent of the children in the country have been diagnosed with food allergies, school staffs must become more knowledgeable about allergic reactions: (1)know which students have food allergies; (2) discourage students from sharing food items; (3)know what to do if a student has an allergic reaction; (4) contact the school nurse.

Fueling the Teen Machine

 The University of Connecticut is sponsoring a statewide recipe contest focusing on foods that teens really enjoy. The contest is open to anyone interested in food and nutrition, students of any age, teachers, coaches, school food service personnel and parents. Please call Susan Davis 297-8490 for more information and an entry form. The deadline for submission is February 28, 1999.

Did you know....

 .....The American Heart Association certifies food products that meet specific nutritional criteria:

.....Nutrition education classes may be scheduled by calling  Susan Davis - 297-8490 or at our website:  (susan.davis@snet.net)

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