BTMES - Student Health Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

Student Health Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Archive


2012
February 6 January 9

2011
December 5	November 1	October 3	May 2
April 4	February 7	January 10

2010
December 6	November 1	October 4
April 5	March 8	February 3	January 11

2009
	November 9	October 5	May 4
April 6	March 9	February 2	January 12
2008
	December 1	October 6	May 5
April 7	March 10	February 4	January 8
2007
October 1	May 7	April 2
March 12	February 5	January 8
2006
December 4	November 6	October 2

SHAC Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2012

Mission Statement: The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff and community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices.
In Attendance: Paula Baldwin, Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Mary Garabee, Nina Hansen, Ano Lobb, Kathy Lord, Laura Moore, Karen Nelson, Kevin Otis, Tara Simpson

January Minutes reviewed: Suggested changes: correction to typos.
Tanya moves to accept the minutes, Kathy seconded.

1. Kitchen Report:

Participation: 25% breakfast, 59% lunch
$100 local purchases, roasted beets, beetnik cake
Snack fairy 50-60/day.
Goal to increase lunch participation to 75%. Promotional ideas (to be presented to school administration);
1. Grand Prize of 2 tickets to Jay Peak Water Park. Acquire chances with each meal purchase. Smaller daily prizes. Winner of the day to go to final round.
2. Library day with alphabet soup.
3. Outdoor BBQ with firefighters invited. Could tie into safety demos. Discussed ideas of expanding BBQ ideas, Band, flash mobs, set up. Discussed barriers to a larger lunch event such as time students have to eat. Maybe able to expand to recess.
New racks, carts for Grab- N- Go
Consider sunbutter and jelly sandwiches for Grab N Go. Will look into possible cross allergy with nuts.
Department of Education review of free/reduce application revealed a few errors, but overall favorable review. A few families lost this benefit as a result.
Vending machines: Abbey is requesting to relocate to the lobby in student phone alcove. Allows easier access for students, teachers, visitors.
Due to a complaint to Vermont Department of Health (VDH), cannot have milk share program (unused purchased milk available for any student). Hunger Free Vermont is working with the Abbey to explore a solution with the VDH.

Clarified that chocolate milk is not served at breakfast.

2. Youth Risk Behavior Survey Staff Presentation:

Discussed the process and feedback from the staff presentation of three risk areas of concern to staff; Depression/suicide, tobacco/inhalant use, and student belongingness.
Staff gave feedback, suggestions at staff meeting
Action plan with a list of interventions was created
A survey back to staff will be created to chose top few interventions, then implementation plan will be created.
Suggestion that student input be included. A tool through the VDH is available for this process.

3. Fit & Healthy Schools Awards:
Award was submitted. Reviewed award application, some limited “yes” responses due to needing specifics written into the wellness policy in order to qualify. Considered the following Wellness Policy amendments:

Use food pricing strategies designed to encourage students to purchase nutritious items and/or reimbursable meals.
Allow students to have at least 10 minutes for breakfast and 20 minutes for lunch.
Include “visual aids” under Nutrition #4 after appropriate portions”
Prohibit advertising of low quality foods.

Prohibit taking away recess and other physical activity from students as a form of discipline unless doing so is directly related to student’s behavior during recess or open gym.
Policy committee is aware that Wellness Policy amendment changes will be coming from SHAC.

Additional suggestions from award application include; participating in Safe Routes to Schools events throughout the year, participating in activities through the Action for Healthy Kids program, and development of a breastfeeding policy to support nursing staff.

4. Celebrations at School topic tabled until next meeting.

** Please Note! Next meeting: March 12 (due to February break/Town Meeting Day).

Respectfully submitted: Tanya Crawford-Stempel, RN

January 9, 2012
SHAC minutes

Mission Statement: The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff and community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices.
In Attendance: Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Ano Lobb, Kathy Lord, , Laura Moore (phone), Karen Nelson, Jennifer Nye, Kevin Otis, Tara Simpson, Patty Meriam, Tim Crowley (briefly)

Minutes of December were approved by Kevin Otis, and seconded by Kathy Lord.

1. Kitchen report:

25%, 3137 for the month of December Breakfast
58%, 7578 Lunch
Snack Fairy: 50-60 per day
Holiday meal: 2nd and 3rd grade parents were invited. They sold 139 holiday meals to adults.
Each week the Abbey group spends approximately $100 on local produce.
Kevin attended the state’s 8th annual chef-farmers retreat.
Dept. Of Education and the Child Nutrition with the State of Vermont will conduct an administration review of free and reduced.
Pre-school: Milk cost for preschoolers will remain at 10 cents for each milk. Next school year the state will consider offering a school meal to PK students. (If the budget passes, we will have 60 students in preschool next year.)

2. Fit and Healthy School report: Tanya has passed out the Fit and Healthy School survey to various staff around the school. The application deadline is 1/20. Areas of school health opportunities identified through this process will be presented at the next meeting.

3. Celebration of our proposed part-time health position that was accepted in the school budget. It will be voted on in the March town meeting. Tim Crowley spoke about how important it is for SHAC to celebrate the part- time health position that is in the proposed budget. This health teacher will give direct instruction in health for students in grade k-4.

4. Wellness Policy: Recommended changes to the current Wellness Policy are as follows:

6-8 Physical Education did have 100 minutes, but has been reduced to 80 minutes a week. k-5 is remaining the same at 80 minutes per week.

Nutrition: #1 It was suggested to wait on the wording for this until after the March Town meeting. (to the extent practicable, nutrition education shall be integrated into core curricula areas as part of the approved Barre Supervisory Union k-12 Comprehensive health Education Curriculum. )

Popcorn: The suggestion was made and will be shared with the PTO president about changing the time popcorn is sold. A committee (Jennifer Nye, Tara Simpson, Susan Barnard and Tanya Crawford-Stempel) will make recommendations to the PTO president. Popcorn is a big part of Barre Town life and we want to be as supportive as possible. It is against the wellness policy to have food sold at the same time as breakfast. We will meet with PTO before the March meeting.

All other suggestions in the wellness policy were adopted.

Chocolate Milk: Kevin will check into the contents and the numbers sold. Kevin suggested that we not have chocolate milk sold during snack time. Suggestions were also to sell it only on Friday’s. Kevin said it would be very difficult for the left over chocolate milk to wait for a week to be sold. Kathy Lord will check and see what Northfield is doing. We hope to check in other schools around Vermont

Celebrations at school. Discussion on how best to celebrate with and without food. The committee was reminded about the very sensitive issues with students who have food allergies. It was stated that we need to work on our communication with teachers as well as parents on how to be conservative and nutritious with our celebrations. The newsletter was used this fall. In addition, Tanya gave an obesity report to the faculty in September linking the wellness policy. This discussion will continue next month.

SHAC Minutes
December 5, 2011

Mission Statement: The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff, and the community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices.

In Attendance: Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Ano Lobb, Kathy Lord, Ry Hoffman, Laura Moore, Karen Nelson, Jennifer Nye, Kevin Otis, Tara Simpson, Nina Hanson

Review of November minutes: Susan Barnard approved the minutes and they were seconded by Kathy Lord.
Introductions
Kitchen Report
1. Breakfast : 25% (decrease from 26% in Nov)
2. Lunch: 58% (remains the same as Oct and Nov.)
3. Snack Fairy: 50 to 60 students a day.
4. Local purchases of $100 per week continues. Kevin Otis went out of his way to get local grown potatoes in Williamstown for our Thanksgiving meal.
5. Parents in grade K and One were invited to attend Thanksgiving dinner. 157 adults were served.
6. New equipment: A new lap top for the grab and go area was purchased. In addition, a new cash drawer to make the lines go faster was also purchased.
7. Cathy Owen is our new baker, as Adele, who was the baker, will now be a new stay at home mother.
8. Kevin Otis will attend the 8th annual chef-farmer’s retreat on Dec. 7th.
9. Abbey group is on TV with a commercial about dish up local.
10. Milk leftovers: given to the after school Y program and may also be given to Pre-school. Tanya suggested also the upstairs support room could use the left over milk. Students are given the extra milk for free during lunch.
11. A sample menu for the month of December was given out. People commented on how great and different it looked from years past.
Playground update
1. The former bocce court will be leveled. The benches, that are near the former bocce court, will be placed over by the playground unit area. Grass seed will be placed in this area.
2. The water will be drained from the old ice skating area.
3. The hope is that we will have two additional playing areas for our students in grades 2-8. (bocce court and the old ice-skating area) We have been working with Mr. Crowley and Mr. Murray to make this happen.
Health Education Position K-4
1. People are encouraged to attend the Wednesday, December 7th , 8 a.m., Curriculum meeting in support of the new part-time health educator.
2. Health Education position statement was reviewed.
3. A discussion was held on how a health educator would fit into the current schedule: Jennifer Nye stated that it would be the fifth rotation and work out fine. P.E. two times a week, music, art, guidance/health education. Technology would be integrated into the classroom.
4. Comments on the advantage of having a health educator aboard: Sensitive subjects included in the Vermont Health Education Standards are taught in a highly professional, age appropriate manner. In addition, assessment of learning would occur.
5. On the agenda next time would be a discussion on if illicit prescription drug use is on an increase at the middle school level. Youth Risk Behavioral Survey states that it is the same as last report. (reported on the test taken in the spring of 2011.)
6. A suggestion was made to have some resource links on our school web site for parents to access if they feel they need more help with where to get help for family members on the topic of illicit prescription drugs.
Velocity Program: Program for boys in Middle School.
1. This program is for 15-20 boys in Middle School: The cost is $60 for six weeks. Deadline for the application is December 16th. ( It was noted that Moving for Fun may not be held this year. ) It was suggested that this was to fast of a turn- around for us this year to get it started at our school.
2. It was suggested that if we were interested we should contact the director for more information.
Wellness Policy:
1. We talked about popcorn that was sold interfering with breakfast sales which is against the new recommendations for wellness policies.
2. The PTO would be notified and SHAC and PTO would have a discussion. Ideas on how to increase their sale of pop corn was made: changing the time the popcorn is served, smaller servings, cheddar cheese over the popcorn.
3. All felt that the PTO popcorn is a major positive part of Barre Town School. The children look forward to popcorn day each Thursday.
4. Suggested for fund raisers for PTO: Mr. Dinosaur like Berlin Elem. School’s PTO.

Our next SHAC meeting will be on Monday, January 9th at 3:45 in the library. All are welcome to attend.
Susan Barnard : Acting Secretary.

SHAC Meeting November 1, 2011

Mission Statement: “The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff and community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices.”

In Attendance:
Susan Barnard, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Nina Hansen, Emma Kopecky, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, Linda Seele

1. Introductions

2. Review of October Meeting Minutes

a. Remove Kathy Lord, Bill Kirkland
b. Add Susan Barnard
c. Patty moved to accept as amended, Laura seconded.

3. Kitchen Report

a. Oct: breakfast 24%, lunch 54%... both up about 4% from last month
b. Local purchases: about $150/week. Purchased lots of squash from Paquet Farm – Kevin is trying to partner with them.
c. Equipment: still hot water issues (not enough for demand). Currently only at 98° degrees, needs to be at least 110° for sanitary reasons. This issue has been listed on a health inspection report, which was given to the administration and school board. Kevin informed maintenance. Laura will report this to School Board. Kevin reported the kitchen may need an additional water tank.
d. Thanksgiving Meal on November 18. Will use gym for additional seating. Parents of Kindergarten and 1st grade will be invited. Price = $3.25 for adults, $2.00 for children.
e. Kindergarten, 1, and 2 are currently participating in snack fairy. Kevin reports that because of 1st grade snack at 9:30, not many are participating. Today was first day for 2nd grade Snack Fairy. Scheduled to start serving 3rd and 4th grade next Monday (November 8).
f. Kevin was asked by Louise O’Connor to offer an afterschool cooking class. Will be offered to ten 8th graders to start in January and run once per week for 6 weeks.
g. Kevin and Nina met with Bill Waller to discuss funding food purchases for Student Support Center snacks.
h. Nina reports the kitchen is now offering almost exclusively whole grain products. They still have to use commodities which are not whole grain.

4. USDA’s Healthier US School Challenge Award

a. Nina attended a workshop last week about Healthier US School Challenge (a new challenge to encourage schools to adopt healthier policy, menus, nutrition education and physical education, etc). The Challenge awards funds to schools who make improvements and brings attention to school lunch.
b. Nina would like BTMES to apply for award (monetary award)
c. Application includes a checklist. Committee members raised question about nutrition education in elementary. There were also questions about the “competitive foods” section of the checklist.
d. Laura will report to the board that SHAC is exploring applying for this award.
e. Tanya suggested that SHAC create a sub-committee to help Nina and Kevin with this. Nina will request this via email.

5. Childhood Obesity Prevention Grant

a. Nurses applied for and were awarded a mini-grant from the Academy of Pediatrics. Money will be used to pay for stipends for a physician to work with BSU nurses to address, examine, and look at interventions to childhood obesity. Dr. Harriet Shea, Linda Seele and BSU nurses meet monthly.
b. The group has already held their first planning meeting – first task is to identify what physical activity and nutrition activities are already offered in each school to which pediatricians should refer. There will be a link on the website.

6. Attorney General Obesity Report

a. Susan is part of a committee/task force to create a document addressing the issue of obesity in the US and VT.
b. The task force is being headed by the Attorney General’s office (William Sorrell). This task force is working with the Departments of Health and Education. Susan thinks the document will be made public around November 17.

7. School Implementation of Health Ed

a. Tabled until Alice Worth is present at meeting.

8. Curriculum/Act 1 Legislation

a. Act 1 is the new Child Sexual Abuse legislation that came out last year.
b. Legislation must be implemented in VT schools by July 2011. BT is currently working towards this, and will be speaking with Donna MacAllister from Department of Education.
c. Prevent Child Abuse Vermont has many free resources.

9. Garden Report

a. Garden has been moved across the street on school side
b. Suggestion that garden move to new location in area of lawn in front of parking for Pre-K parents. Crops by Kids is in favor of this. Susan reports that some work will be necessary to use this space (removal of some shrubs and evergreens).
c. SHAC committee discussed parking lot runoff including salt from getting into garden. Laura mentioned that CBK can research plants which will ‘absorb’ the salt that will come from the parking lot. Patty discussed use of "rain garden" for filtering road run off and will give Susan link State info and to Community Garden Enthusiast in Barre City.
d. The garden move will help allow more teachers and students to access/use/plant in the garden.
e. The next Crops By Kids meeting is November 15 in library.
f. SHAC committee discussed options for funding/resources/volunteers for CBK garden help.
g. Flower Garden: Paul Parsons and his students are making new beds. This group will help with the CBK garden too.

10. Physical Activity Initiative Update

a. Susan mentioned the water/flooding issues of the old ice rink needs to be addressed since it is being used a lot for physical activities.
b. Physical Activity Committee still has $2000 remaining from initial $5000. Remainder will be spent after the committee regroups.
c. 7th and 8th grade has participated in the Long Trail Adventure walking program. The 12-week program is ending soon. Both grades went on hiking field trips at the end of October.
d. Elementary and 5/6: Susan reports that 5th grade really likes PA DVDs which were purchased (used during NECAPS too). Kindergarten is starting to use resources as well. The moving of furniture is a barrier for many teachers. Additionally, paraeducators might be apprehensive to do this (need training on Promethean Board)
e. Students are working on running/walking ½ of a mile two days a week at in grades 2-6 (this is done twice a week).

Respectfully submitted by Sarah Chap, review and edit by Patty Meriam

Oct 3, 2011 SHAC meeting

In attendance:
Susan Barnard, Paula Baldwin, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Tim Crowley, Tina Glosser, Nina Hansen, Ano Lobb, Kathy Lord, Laura Moore, Patty Meriam, Karen Nelson, Kevin Otis, Tara Simpson

Introductions
Review of May minutes. Approved with corrections to the following: 3a. the placement of the bike storage (shed, not hallway), 7a. Laura will suggest looking into purchasing the three acres across the street from the school, and 10b i.2. clarifying that student's progress in PE does go home to parents with a grade on the normal report card, as well as (k-5) a in depth report on children's progress on a separate form.
Kitchen Report
1. Breakfast 23%, Lunch 53% decrease from last year
2. $100/week for local products, including new items, such as herbs.
3. Change from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters to New England Coffee due to distribution and customer service issues for Abbey Group
4. New portion of report called “Planet Earth” includes
  1. Grant for reusable cups save 70,00 Styrofoam soup cups, save $1000/year
  2. Straws have also made way into compost causing problems to wildlife.
  3. Silverware for snack fairy instead of plastic
5. Harvest dinner, local beef and other products and garden products used. Made $350 for Crops By Kids
6. Offering snack baskets for kids during NECAPs. Cost per student about $1. School is purchasing.
7. Reducing calories by eliminating higher fat items such as margarine, higher fat salad dressing.
8. Snack Fairy K- grade, set menu, serving 35 kids/day – staffed by Abbey group. One staff dedicated.
Harvest Soup Contest, annual event with 8th Grade students, will be on November 22, 2011. Jenny Callen Cookbook author coming. This event grew from the Farm2School Grant.
Crops By Kids Slideshow/Farmer Market
1. Corn, corn stalks and pumpkins from Thygesen and Pauquet Farms who are collaborating with Abbey Group to provide local products.
2. Made $400 for Crops By Kids
Recess Physical Activity Update
1. Reviewed last year’s plan. PA subcommittee looked at increased recreational equipment, less athletics. Increase choices and independent activity. Balance recess between activity and socialization time.
2. Organized tubs with equipment to facilitate accessibility during TA activity.
3. Feedback from parents in attendance includes: providing lifelong activities, more recess supervision, school initiative like 25 book/year related to physical activity at home, looking at which grade levels need more targeted intervention (younger kids are already active-play oriented). Discussed number of recess monitors, choosing people who want to engage kids at recess.
4. Suggest parent on subcommittee.
Act 1 training for staff will occur at 10/10/11 inservice. Additional curriculum for students are being reviewed by Guidance counselors at Barre Town and Barre City schools.
Concussion Guidelines
1. New DOE requirement for schools to have a return-to-play procedure for students with concussions in school sports. Phil Joyal has been implementing this in athletics. Team of PE staff, nurse, recess monitors with administration will develop a recommended procedure for students in school with diagnosed concussion.
Health Education
1. Tim requests a statement from SHAC in support of a health educator to bring to budget meeting.
2. Take to curriculum, policy, and finance committees
Concern brought forward about safe and effective channels for parents and student who receive information on students in school (supervisory union-wide) involved in illicit drug use. Will revisit at next SHAC meeting.

Respectfully submitted, Tanya Crawford-Stempel.

May 2, 2011 SHAC meeting

In attendance:
Susan Barnard, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Nina Hansen, Karen Lussier, Laura Moore, Patty Meriam, Christine Petersen

Introductions

a. Karen’s email: kluss06@yahoo.com
Review of April minutes

a. Tanya suggested that Carolyn Jarvis review April minutes about statements made about Student Support Center (SSC)
Bike update

a. Susan reported that bikes are in decent shape. Phil will bring bikes to stage for Pavel, from Magic Wheel, to work on.

b. Phil will try to have students help with maintenance

c. Susan would like the bikes to be hung (in the shed), and stated that Paul Belisle knows how to do this.

d. Bikes will be used this spring in Phil’s physical education classes
Recess physical activity update

a. Grade 3 and 4 recess- students go to track, then have choice: they can run/walk ¼ mile, or dribble soccer ball 4 lengths of field. When done, they can go to recess, or continue to walk. For every ½ mile a student walks/runs, they get a token. Susan reports that it is going well.
Act I

a. Act 1 is the child sexual abuse prevention legislation. The law requires that an action plan be in place by July 1st. The required action plan has two components: 1) education/awareness for kids K-12, and 2) adult education/awareness [school staff and parents]

b. Barre Town ACT I sub-committee created an action plan which has been presented to administrators.

c. The Department of Education is holding a community action planning workshop for schools to develop action plans and connect with community resources. Staff from BTMES will be attending this workshop (Rob Raynsford, PJ LaPerle, and Carolyn Jarvis).

6. Garden Work Day

a. The school community is invited to a “work day” on 14th, 10am – 3pm. Volunteers are asked to bring a bagged lunch.

b. Architect Joel Goon has been hired to create plan for school/community garden. A presentation of the plan was presented by Susan to the SHAC committee.

c. Wood for the project (VT grown white cedar) has been purchased from Goodridge Lumber in Albany, VT. The wood will be used for fourteen 8’x4’ raised beds, fence posts, and a pergola. The pergola will provide a shaded outdoor classroom space. Kiwi vines will grow over the pergola to provide shade. Wood and gravel from old garden will be used to build up the northwest corner, where the pergola will be built.

d. Joel will work with Paul Parsons and his group of Spaulding students to build beds before the May 14th work day.

e. The plan includes a granite raised bed. Bill Kirkland is in communication with Bob Pope about purchasing granite at cost.

f. Soil is being donated from the Town, and compost will be added to it.

g. Brent Tewksbury has offered to donate fencing for the project.

h. A garden shed will be built by Barre Technical Center students.

i. Susan will present the garden plan to the School Board on Wednesday May 14th. Plan is on display in lobby for all to see.

7. Purchase 3 acres across field

a. Laura will suggest looking into purchasing the three acres across the street from the school for athletic fields.

b. SHAC committee supports the idea.

c. Laura also reported that flashing sign posts with a reduced speed limit have been purchased with a grant and will be installed in front of school in both directions

8. Childhood obesity coalition update

a. School nurses in district are participating in monthly meetings with area pediatricians and Department of Health about childhood obesity.

b. Intervention called A Group Appointment: Kathleen Bryant is doing pilot group of girls 9-12 with BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than 95%. The group will examine nutrition, self-esteem, etc. Tanya has referred some BTMES families to be involved.

c. BTMES BMI data: data taken from fall in Physical Education department. Data shows that BMI of BT students on the rise.

9. Kitchen report

a. April breakfast 25%, lunch 58%

b. Local purchases: $100/week. Starting to use more rye flour for rolls, etc. Kitchen has also been purchasing Taplin Hills maple syrup

c. Thai Food Day: Friday May 6th

d. Nina will teach Eat Smart Play Hard class to 4th grade

e. End of Year BBQ on June 8th

f. Next year, kitchen plans to eliminate some higher calorie condiments (like margarine)

g. Tanya offered the suggestion of having chocolate milk only offered once a week (this is done in Northfield schools). Kevin reported they do not serve chocolate milk for breakfast, but suggested not serving chocolate milk for snack. It was decided this would be started in August, and SHAC will discuss the implementations later.

10. Wellness policy review

a. Nutrition

i. Tanya presented compliance of nutrition policy at a staff PLC meeting. Teachers reported they would like more support from nurse, SHAC, and administration. Tanya will present to each grade level team about nutrition policy. It was suggested that administration present statement to parents at beginning of year, in conjunction with BMI, and shortened version to go home to parents. Additionally, visual displays in school about nutrition (portion sizes) would be helpful.

ii. More discussion about use of candy/unhealthy snacks in afterschool activities and SSC.

b. Physical activity

i. The PE Dept reviewed the BTMED wellness policy regarding physical activity of our students. They reported on a few items which are working to increase physical activity (PA), as well as items which are not working.

1. What is working: new initiatives to increase PA, minimizing interruptions to PE classes

2. What isn’t working: activities during TA may not be meeting needs of students, PE instructional time not meeting policy, student's progress in PE does go home to parents with a grade on the normal report card, as well as (k-5) a in depth report on children's progress on a separate form , trained adaptive physical education support

ii. Susan would like SHAC committee to address these discrepancies

iii. Sarah reported that a committee has been created to address all aspects of TA (including physical activity opportunities). A meeting has been scheduled for May 5th.

11. Policy review

a. Tabled. A meeting will be organized in May/June for policy and action planning items.

BTMES SHAC Meeting Minutes: April 4, 2011

Mission Statement: “The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff and community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices. ”
In Attendance: Susan Barnard, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Christine Peterson, Linda Seele, Alice Worth, Carolyn Jarvis, Bill Waller, Kevin Otis.

Minutes of the February 7th meeting were reviewed: on page #2 the numbers should read a, b, c, and d. (“e” should be taken out). The minutes were approved.

1. Introductions

2. Abbey Food Service Report: Chef Kevin Otis

a. Breakfast 24%, Lunch (increased to) 58%
b. Local foods $100 per week
c. Iron Chef: Two teams participating and one of our teams took first place.
d. Grab and Go is still a very big seller.
e. Korean meal, (in honor of Ga Young Lee), was a huge success, and a Thai meal will be planned in honor of Jeab on May 6th.
f. Spring meal for parents in grades 4-8th will be on April 14th.

3. Carolyn Jarvis reviewed the discipline committee’s report.

a. Charges suggested that students will be given a fresh start every quarter, rather than every semester.
b. Improvement is taken into consideration when their final points are given. Students who do not have enough points may not do the end of the year big activity.
c. Clear expectations are being developed for the school for the school PK-8. The expectations will be based on values. Students will be able to list the values.
d. More students will be involved in the process.
e. It was suggested that Laurie Baker from Barre be utilized.
f. Behavior is separated from missed school assignments.
g. It was suggested that the teacher needs to be very clear with their assignments: due dates and expectations need to be documented.
h. Carolyn Jarvis’ group will be reporting to the administration on how Responsive Classroom philosophy can be integrated into our school more on a K-8 basis utilizing courses and/or in-service days for teachers.

4. Mr. Waller: Snacks in the support center. Granola bars. Mr. Waller buys them with his own money and gives them out to students who really need to have a snack to operate.

5. A candy product on the school board warrant was questioned. Alice Worth will look into it.

6. A garden grant for $500 has been awarded to Crops By Kids. We presently are working on a garden plan with a Norwich University graduate student in architecture. A display of our garden plan will soon be in the lobby.

7. Fit and Healthy School report. We have been awarded 4th place. We will be receiving a banner.

8. Bikes: Mr. Crowley and Mr. Joyal are working on the situation.

9. It was requested that the recess report again be given out from the survey that was taken.

10. Student Assistant Program (SAP) has been funded by re-arranging the MAC money. It was asked if the physical activity money has been taken away, as we had $2,000.00 left in that fund.

11. Tanya Crawford-Stempel will send out a calendar over the e-mail on when we can meet as a sub committee to review policies.
.

BTMES SHAC Meeting Minutes: February 7, 2011

Mission Statement: “The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff and community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices.”
In Attendance: Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Ry Hoffman , Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Christine Peterson, and Alice Worth

Review December Meeting Minutes:

a. Alice moved to accept as amended and Kathy seconded.

1. Introductions

2. Crops By Kids Grant

a. State grant application for $500- $1000 completed and submitted.
b. Requesting approval for the federal “Garden School Community Grant” ($1000) as additional funding for garden tools, hardscape, dirt, compost. Laura will bring to the board.
c. Suggestion to contact Americorp for resources of manpower/supplies for garden revision. Jaime Sampson at the Youth Service Bureau is an Americorp contact. Susan will follow up.

3. Bike Storage

a. Phil and Povil to meet to discuss Bike Storage and maintenance. Goal to coordinate with Spaulding students through the Barre Tech Center with Paul Pierson.
b. Alice will talk with Mike Wetherell regarding his interesting in incorporating bike maintenance into the Tech Ed program.

4. Fit & Healthy Schools Award

a. Application in, award will be announced February 25.
b. Several wellness tools and programs were discovered during completing the application that may be useful for SHAC initiatives. Suggest further discussion at future meeting.

5. Kitchen Report

a. Reviewed written report submitted by Kevin.

6. Wellness Policy

a. Discussed 2 tools for evaluation of Wellness Policy.

i. http://wellsat.org/evaluation.aspx
ii. http://www.a4hk.org/policymonitor/index.php

b. Review of elements of wellness policy to occur at next SHAC meeting with discussion of barriers to implementation. Suggest survey/input from staff as well as review of federal wellness guidelines to be part of review. Subcommittee will gather to evaluate policy with tools and for barriers to implementation.

c. Suggestion that SHAC review health and wellness aspects of other policies. Laura will go through policies before next meeting and bring her recommendations for our attention.
d.
e. SHAC would like to review the discipline committee’s recommendations prior to review by staff.

7. Recess Physical Activity Meeting

a. Notes from Tim’s meeting with parents were reviewed.
b. Physical Activity recess subcommittee will meet after February break to take parent input under advisement.

8. Youth Risk Behavior Survey

a. Will be administered to 6-8th graders. Parent letters sent home. Results will be given in 6 months.

9. SAP Funding Cut
a. Will review current MAC budget to look at spending

Respectfully submitted, Tanya Crawford-Stempel

BTMES SHAC Meeting Minutes: January 10, 2011

In Attendance: Susan Barnard, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Tim Crowley, Nina Hansen, Ry Hoffman , Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, and Alice Worth

Review December Meeting Minutes:

Alice moved to accept as amended and Sarah seconded.

1. Health Education Curriculum

Report that the curriculum committee dismissed idea of hiring Health Educator for the 2011-12 school year.
Alice will contact Dr. Barone regarding the matrix of what health education is currently occurring at each grade level in order to begin embedding the curriculum into other subject areas.

2. Kitchen Report

Dec: Breakfasts 27%, lunch 57% (an increase)
Discussion on Abbey Group and BTMES board separate policies on students with negative balances. Suggestion of sending debt notices home with report cards.
Local purchases $150 weekly including black beans. 670 holiday meal sold.
Kitchen Dedication to Mr. Bill Kirkland also occurred during the holiday meal.
40 snack fairy meals are being served daily. Kitchen work for this program is going smoothly, and is fiscally self sufficient. Parent/children volunteers are no longer involved in this program.
Kevin attended the Rediscovering Your Roots Retreat, sharing BTMES efforts for serving local foods. Kevin would like to do cooking demonstrations next year.
Equipment: Hood will be serviced at next break, hot water issue solved.
1. Laura will check on maintenance and service schedule for kitchen equipment with Steve.
2. Floors were detailed over winter break. This should be done twice a year.
Farm to School Awareness: Kevin will attend State House event on 1/20.

3. Recess Physical Activity Meeting

A meeting for parents with concerns about the walk/run activity at recess is scheduled on Friday 1/17 1pm in the conference room. Representatives from SHAC will attend.

4. Crops by Kids Grant

Crops by Kids would like to apply for Grant to pay for the hardscape and supplies for the new garden. The grant request would be for one-time purchases only. Laura will present this to the board.

5. Bike Storage and Maintenance

Discussion on how to handle current bike storage and repair issue. Susan has arranged for an assessment. After the assessment, the facilities committee will be involve regarding storage.

6. Attorney General’s Healthy Weight Initiative

Reviewed Goals for Schools
1. School wellness interventions as part of a holistic school improvement plan
2. Presentation at next SHAC meeting of tools for Wellness Policy evaluation, and our current Wellness Policy.
3. Laura will send state committee hearing dates to committee members. Discuss attendance of these hearings.
7. Childhood Obesity Initiative
1. All district nurses will be meeting with Dr. Shea, Linda Seel, and a dietician from CVMC on staff development day to continue collaboration on the issue of childhood obesity prevention and intervention.
Respectfully submitted, Tanya Crawford-Stempel

BTMES SHAC Meeting Minutes: December 6, 2010

Mission Statement: “The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff and community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices.”

In Attendance: Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Ry Hoffman , Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, and Alice Worth.

Review November Meeting Minutes:

Students are working on running/walking ½ of a mile two days a week at in grades 2-6.
Patty moved to accept as amended and Susan seconded.

Dedication of the New Kitchen.
1. Revised the letter to go home to RSVP and invite them to attend the Holiday Dinner.
2. Mary Dollenmaier from the Farm to School Grant group will be added to list of invited people.
3. Abbey Group will pay for those attending.
Kitchen Report
1. Nov: Breakfasts 24%, lunch 54% (remain the same as Oct.)
2. Local purchases: about $150/week. (apples, Daikon radish, herbs, mesculun mix, onions, potatoes, turnips, beets, and squash.
3. Snack Fairy: now k-4, total breakfasts are around 200 per day. (40 being served in the classroom)
4. Kevin is attending “rediscovering your roots” a food retreat by Two Rivers..
5. All Abbey employees attended a Training Conference put on by the Abbey group which focused on local food usage, theory, and skill training.
6. Second grade cook book for sale for $6.00 and the recipe for Baked Ziti will be on Dec. 7th menu from the cook book.’
7. The Healthier US School Challenge is being completed by Nina Hanson and revision of January’s menu is moving forward to meet the challenge for the Bronze award.
Childhood Obesity Prevention
1. The U61 nurses and Dr. Harriet Shea are strategizing interventions for childhood obesity. Group BMI data from each school will provide information on the scope of this issue in the Barre community
2. Central Vermont Hospital does not have a subspecialty for obesity interventions at this time. However a nutritionist will be meeting with the group to discuss a joint effort for intervention development.
3. A link is being developed through the Vermont Department of Health with comprehensive physical activity opportunities in the Barre community. We are hoping to provide this link on the BTMES website.
Garden Report
1. The two pine trees have been removed at the price of $650. The school board paid for this request.
2. Crops By Kids sign is up.
3. The stumps will be removed in early spring.
4. A garden course will be offered starting in January and over ten teachers and para-educators will take the course to help plan for the new garden.
Act 1
1. Our school will have Act 1 response in place by July 2011. Act 1 is State legislation passed in 2009 regarding child sexual abuse prevention.
2. Committee including the guidance counselors, school nurse, SAP, and administration, will work out the details on how the school will meet the guidelines.
3. Dept. of Education has sent out guidelines and resources to schools.
4. Laura suggested that this go before the curriculum committee.
5. Letters are to be sent home, by the administration, concerning some of the issues being talked about in this curriculum.
6. Staff Training will take place.
Health Education Curriculum
1. A U61 health curriculum was passed and was to start to be implemented into our school in the fall of 2010.
2. It was decided after much discussion that SHAC is recommending that we take our proposal to the finance committee and we are recommending that the possibility of a part time health educator be added.

Respectfully submitted by Susan Barnard

SHAC Meeting Minutes
November 1, 2010

In Attendance:
Susan Barnard, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Nina Hansen, Emma Kopecky, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, Linda Seele

Introductions
Review of October Meeting Minutes
1. Remove Kathy Lord, Bill Kirkland
2. Add Susan Barnard
3. Patty moved to accept as amended, Laura seconded.
Kitchen Report
1. Oct: breakfast 24%, lunch 54%... both up about 4% from last month
2. Local purchases: about $150/week. Purchased lots of squash from Paquet Farm – Kevin is trying to partner with them.
3. Equipment: still hot water issues (not enough for demand). Currently only at 98° degrees, needs to be at least 110° for sanitary reasons. This issue has been listed on a health inspection report, which was given to the administration and school board. Kevin informed maintenance. Laura will report this to School Board. Kevin reported the kitchen may need an additional water tank.
4. Thanksgiving Meal on November 18. Will use gym for additional seating. Parents of Kindergarten and 1st grade will be invited. Price = $3.25 for adults, $2.00 for children.
5. Kindergarten, 1, and 2 are currently participating in snack fairy. Kevin reports that because of 1st grade snack at 9:30, not many are participating. Today was first day for 2nd grade Snack Fairy. Scheduled to start serving 3rd and 4th grade next Monday (November 8).
6. Kevin was asked by Louise O’Connor to offer an afterschool cooking class. Will be offered to ten 8th graders to start in January and run once per week for 6 weeks.
7. Kevin and Nina met with Bill Waller to discuss funding food purchases for Student Support Center snacks.
8. Nina reports the kitchen is now offering almost exclusively whole grain products. They still have to use commodities which are not whole grain.
USDA’s Healthier US School Challenge Award
1. Nina attended a workshop last week about Healthier US School Challenge (a new challenge to encourage schools to adopt healthier policy, menus, nutrition education and physical education, etc). The Challenge awards funds to schools who make improvements and brings attention to school lunch.
2. Nina would like BTMES to apply for award (monetary award)
3. Application includes a checklist. Committee members raised question about nutrition education in elementary. There were also questions about the “competitive foods” section of the checklist.
4. Laura will report to the board that SHAC is exploring applying for this award.
5. Tanya suggested that SHAC create a sub-committee to help Nina and Kevin with this. Nina will request this via email.
Childhood Obesity Prevention Grant
1. Nurses applied for and were awarded a mini-grant from the Academy of Pediatrics. Money will be used to pay for stipends for a physician to work with BSU nurses to address, examine, and look at interventions to childhood obesity. Dr. Harriet Shea, Linda Seele and BSU nurses meet monthly.
2. The group has already held their first planning meeting – first task is to identify what physical activity and nutrition activities are already offered in each school to which pediatricians should refer. There will be a link on the website.
Attorney General Obesity Report
1. Susan is part of a committee/task force to create a document addressing the issue of obesity in the US and VT.
2. The task force is being headed by the Attorney General’s office (William Sorrell). This task force is working with the Departments of Health and Education. Susan thinks the document will be made public around November 17.
School Implementation of Health Ed
1. Tabled until Alice Worth is present at meeting.
Curriculum/Act 1 Legislation
1. Act 1 is the new Child Sexual Abuse legislation that came out last year.
2. Legislation must be implemented in VT schools by July 2011. BT is currently working towards this, and will be speaking with Donna MacAllister from Department of Education.
3. Prevent Child Abuse Vermont has many free resources.
Garden Report
1. Garden has been moved across the street on school side
2. Suggestion that garden move to new location in area of lawn in front of parking for Pre-K parents. Crops by Kids is in favor of this. Susan reports that some work will be necessary to use this space (removal of some shrubs and evergreens).
3. SHAC committee discussed parking lot runoff including salt from getting into garden. Laura mentioned that CBK can research plants which will ‘absorb’ the salt that will come from the parking lot. Patty discussed use of "rain garden" for filtering road run off and will give Susan link State info and to Community Garden Enthusiast in Barre City.
4. The garden move will help allow more teachers and students to access/use/plant in the garden.
5. The next Crops By Kids meeting is November 15 in library.
6. SHAC committee discussed options for funding/resources/volunteers for CBK garden help.
7. Flower Garden: Paul Parsons and his students are making new beds. This group will help with the CBK garden too.
Physical Activity Initiative Update
1. Susan mentioned the water/flooding issues of the old ice rink needs to be addressed since it is being used a lot for physical activities.
2. Physical Activity Committee still has $2000 remaining from initial $5000. Remainder will be spent after the committee regroups.
3. 7th and 8th grade has participated in the Long Trail Adventure walking program. The 12-week program is ending soon. Both grades went on hiking field trips at the end of October.
4. Elementary and 5/6: Susan reports that 5th grade really likes PA DVDs which were purchased (used during NECAPS too). Kindergarten is starting to use resources as well. The moving of furniture is a barrier for many teachers. Additionally, paraeducators might be apprehensive to do this (need training on Promethean Board)
5. Students are working on running/walking ½ of a mile two days a week at in grades 2-6 (this is done twice a week).

Respectfully submitted by Sarah Chap, review and edit by Patty Meriam

SHAC Meeting Minutes
October 4, 2010

Attendees: Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Nina Hansen, Susan Barnard, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Phyllis Wiggins, Ellen Sulek

Farm-To-School (F2S) – Shelburne Farm Presentation

Selected Barre Town School Representatives attended a Summer Seminar hosted by Vermont FEED and Shelburne Farms
Short term and long term goals, and an Action Plan for 2010- were developed
Discussed change of placement of garden in bus turn around
- visible/ show cases school values
- preserves activity spaces (playing fields)
- consistent with safety from traffic and water run off
- space is not up for modifications
- consistent with showcasing school values as in 90/90/9
- Next step, to discuss w/ Bill Kirkland, and Facilities committee

Kitchen Report

increase F2S endeavor visibility
increase local purchasing to 10% ($150/week)
new kitchen layout more efficient, clean, and safe
considering adding a 3rd register
Snack Fairy program for Kindergarten started
Open House Event with local products featured, 200 meals served, earned $350 for Crop By Kids
Provides kitchen tours for grade 2 and food pyramid lesson
Individualized learning experiences with students on IEPs
welcome back bar-be-que
Current compost counter too tall, may be able to sell through the Abbey Group. BTMES is building a more appropriate sized compost counter.
Patty requested written report from Kevin be shared at meeting and enter into minutes.

Physical Activity (PA) Initiative

Treadmill for Student Support Services purchased
Grade level tub stocked with classroom PA activities provided
Playground equipment purchased, including soccer net from Christopher Rogers’ parents
Students to walk or run ½ miles, 2 days a week at recess
Middle school participating in “Long Trail” mileage tracking and Friday Choice Activities
Indoor recess problems: Promethium boards not all linked to DVD drives, para-educators need further training

Respectfully submitted Tanya Crawford Stempel

SHAC Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2010

Attendees: Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Tim Crowley, Nina Hansen, Ry Hoffman, Bill Kirkland, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, , Laura Moore, Kevin Otis

Kitchen Report:

March lunch numbers up
Local purchases (Food Works) about $100 weekly
Kitchen Equipment (Ecolab) been in twice to look at dishwasher (to fix and readjust)
Nina has given Eat Smart, Play Hard presentations to 4th grade – talks about MyPyramid and eating healthy
Lunch on May 5 will be Iron Chef Chili; all 4 students who participated in the competition will help serve wearing their jackets
May 20- BBQ lunch
Snack Fairy – currently offering to K and 1st, about 30 students from each grade are participating. Plan to include 2nd grade next year. Tanya is checking in with K teachers to make sure everything is going smoothly; seems to be working better now. There seems to be a need to help all classroom teachers (including 1st grade) with this – a way to communicate with teachers to make the process smooth for everyone. Tanya will meet with Tim (and Alice?) to discuss how to make this happen. Some 7/8 grade TA students have helped with Snack Fairy. Jen Bombard has helped as well, but her position will end Friday, so the Abbey Group will help to absorb part of this role. A change for next year will be to not have milk orders be done as part of snack fairy.
Bill reports that bids for kitchen equipment and construction were sent out last week/this week (to be completed by August 15). Board appreciates SHAC committee for putting this project at the forefront. Bids are up this year for the cafeteria as well.
Snack to Students in School: a survey will be sent out to all BT teachers this week to find out how many teachers are feeding kids throughout the day – Tanya and Alice created a survey.
Bill would like to see garden moved this season to back of building (where ice rink used to be). There are safety concerns having children travelling across road. Additionally, the town would have added expenses (radar, signs, crosswalks) if the garden is left where it is. Bill has spoken to Town Chairman – he will help move garden and provide top soil. Tanya (on behalf of SHAC) will talk to Crops by Kids committee (Susan Barnard and Ellen Sulek; Laura will communicate to Bill about the outcome. Will ask Crops by Kids for any recommendations for how to set-up the new garden location to accommodate classes even better than the current garden.
Bill reported that Safe Routes to School: board turned down location of proposed crosswalk for safety reason (crosswalks would be in the way of buses).

Physical Activity Discussion Meeting:

Meeting has been postponed to May 13th (12:30-3:30) Will have 3 classroom teachers: Drew Lamb (8th), Cindy Shepard (5th), Andrea McLaughlin (2nd). Lindsay Simpson will not be able to attend, but will meet with Tanya to instruct how to start planning and implementing changes to include more physical activity. Ry and Tim are meeting with different groups of teachers at school – many reported that they would like a different use of TA time, and suggested having a “menu” of activities for students to choose from.

Composting:

Position paid for by Central Vermont Solid Waste District (town discussed dropping this contract) which would mean BTMES would have to pay for this position. Tim suggested contacting the town to see if new company also does composting; then will make a plan. Tim will find a contact person from school for composting.

Farm-to-School Workshop:

June 27-30 at Shelburne Farms. Susan will email SHAC about this. Nina will take Kevin’s place at the workshop.

Fit and Healthy School Award:

BT has received a silver award for Fit and Healthy School Award. Sarah will accept the award for Barre Town at the awards ceremony at the Intergenerational Wellness Walk May 12. Nina will find out what qualifies for a gold medal.

Tobacco Grant:

Restructured grant because money is running out. We are now writing grant as a district, for a 2 year grant. May have less available money to us because of the decreased amount coming in. PJ LaPerle and Dawn Poitras (BT and BC SAPs) worked on this grant.

MAC Funding Priorities:

 Meeting on Monday May 10 to create budget for next year’s MAC funds. Tanya will meet with Tim before May 10. We have some left over money from this year – plan to use this money to support initiatives for this year, especially for use to purchase supplies to follow our physical activity plan. Part of Girls on the Run was supported under Tobacco Grant in the past, and the possibility of using MAC funds to support this was discussed. It was also suggested that the money could be used to help support our gardening and composting efforts. Tanya would like emails with ideas for organizations to be supported by MAC funds.
 This committee had discussed using MAC money to pay for a district SHAC coordinator. Though a VT DOE proposal suggests this person to also be a registered nurse and act as district school health supervisor. Committee had thought about pairing this with the .5 Health educator position, though it may be difficult to find one person qualified to fulfill this role, so it may have to be advertised separately.

Action Plan:
 Alice’s suggestion for next year: instead of a subcommittee to plan for next year’s SHAC action plan items, make the physical activity plan the item we submit to the state under educational supports in the VT DOE corrective action plan. Alice thinks the DOE will support this. Tanya will email SHAC committee about this idea. Laura suggested also including an item about increasing breakfast participation.

Patty offered the idea of having a SHAC meeting at the beginning of the year (August 18th?) to see the new kitchen, garden, etc and to plan the SHAC agenda for the year. Tanya will email SHAC members about this.

SHAC Meeting Minutes
April 5, 2010

Mission Statement: “The School Heath Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff and community with the knowledge and skills to make lifelong and sustainable healthful choice.”

Attendance: Susan Barnard, Kathy Lord, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Nina Hanson, Elizabeth Manriquez, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Alice Worth

Junior Iron Chef Competition: Kevin Otis announced that a team of middle school students went to the state competition on March 27th. Thirty eight schools attended. Although they did not win, Mr. Crowley had a special award for the four students who represented Barre Town Middle and Elementary School. They made Vegetarian Chili, with 12 Vermont ingredients.

Breakfast Snack Program: was started in Grade one today. It was reported that grade one’s snack is being eaten very early, 9:20. Alice will check on the time of snack for grade one. 234 breakfasts were served in the month of March. A variety of new breakfast ideas are being tried: For example: Scrambled egg pizza, oatmeal bar. It was suggested that the number of people eating breakfast and lunch be posted on the menu. Over 100 more breakfasts are being served than at the beginning of the year.

Breakfast is 25% for the month of February. Lunch is 51% for the month of February.

“Eat Smart Play Hard” was presented to some of the 4th grade classes by Nina Hanson, from the Abbey group. It was suggested that she try to give it to each grade 4 classes. It was a 45 minute presentation.

The New England Culinary Institute will come for a demonstration of “Sustainable Agriculture”. Kevin Otis will let us know how he is going to set this up and who will see the demonstration. The date is May 13th.

Spring Luncheon: Roast Pork dinner was served to an additional 60 parents from grades 4-8.

Local Day, April 15th. Homemade pancakes served with local Vermont maple syrup from Taplin Hill Sugar Works, Producer Thad Blaisdell is joining us to showcase his syrup and sugaring equipment used in production. Thad is the parent of two students here at BTMES.

The District Health Education/Coordinated School Health position was discussed in light of a new VT Department of Education proposed Health Services model. This model suggests a district nursing coordinator (RN) to oversee and assist with school health services as well as coordinated school health endeavors. Barre Town SHAC proposes to increase the District School Health Coordinator position to 20 hours per week to include these activities in addition to the previously outlined duties. The Health Educator 20 hours per week position could be advertized as separate or combined with this position and would be paid for by non-MAC funds. This proposal will be discussed with the district nurses and John Barone.

Action Plan #2 was accepted.

Compositing: A problem with the composting has been issued that it would cost three times as much as it is now.

Food as Play has been found in pre-school. They use rice and have been using the same rice over and over for years.

Snack for kids. Teachers are feeding students with their own monies. Some are nutritious and some are not. A survey will be made out and sent out electronically by Susan , Tanya and Alice.

SHAC MEETING MINUTES
March 8, 2010

Attendants: Susan Barnard, Kathy Lord, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Kathy Gerrish, Nina Hanson, Elizabeth Manriquez, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, Erica Rate, Alice Worth.

Bill Kirkland came with appreciation for SHAC’s support of the school kitchen renovation plan, and announced the passing the $185,000 bond vote. It was this committee that helped initiated this project. Special thanks went to Patty Meriam who spearheaded this issue. This project will address safety and space concerns leading to overall more efficient meal preparation.

Kevin Otis presented samples of chili; the recipe chosen for the Jr. Iron Chef contest, featuring many Vermont grown food. The Abbey Group is sponsoring the team again and supplying team chef jackets that say, “Dishing Up Local”.

Kitchen Report: Local bi-weekly purchases include; produce arriving every week, fresh beets, turnips, apples, cabbage, herbs, leeks onions, kale, shallots, garlic, and potatoes.

Snack-Breakfast program for kindergarten is serving 28 snacks/day. This volunteer-run program will expand to grade one on April 5th. Jen Bombard is contracted as the parent-volunteer liaison, and 7th & 8th grade students will be joining in helping with the addition of first grade snacks.\

A team of five or six Barre Town School representatives have applied to attend the Vermont Farm to School 2010 Summer Workshop on June 27-30. This team includes; Ellen Sulek, Kevin Otis, Susan Barnard, Heather Kralik, and Sarah Chap. Others wishing to attend are: Laura Moore, Patty Meriam, and Kathy Lord. All expenses will be paid for this if we are chosen. Notification of attendance will take place on April 1st.

Patty Meriam and Sarah Chap made a motion to have the SHAC committee recommend to the school board that the Abbey Group be recontracted for food services at Barre Town School. Some observations of their excellence include; “the wonderful extra work that the Abbey group has done for our school over the last four years.” Chef Kevin Otis has seen us through an intense “Farm to School Grant”. He and his staff have been wonderful with the taste testing, snack-breakfast program, using locally grown vegetables as much as possible, Jr. Iron Chef contest, and helping Bill Kirkland with the kitchen bond issues. It has been noted that Chef Kevin Otis and Nina Hansen, district coordinator, attend the SHAC meeting and always provide a written kitchen report. The Abbey group is also interested in securing all three schools in our district. We have been very impressed with the relationship we have had.

The job description for a 12 hour/week SHAC district coordinator was brought to the district EPSDT meeting (now called MAC). A meeting with the superintendent is being scheduled to discuss the position. The position is budgeted through MAC funds.

On March 17th Lindsay Simpson will bring samples of physical activity initiatives that have successfully been implemented in other schools, and will lead SHAC members, administrators, and invited physical education staff through a discussion examining barriers in our school.

The action plan item of increasing the school day by 30 minutes to incorporate more physical activity will be re-worded. It was suggested that it read: Explore ways to incorporate rigorous physical activity for students into the school day and create an implementation plan. Tanya will meet to re-work these words.

Feelin’ Good Mileage Club will run from April 13th to May 28th for 4th and 3rd graders every Tuesday and Friday. Three people will be in charge of this activity: Susan Barnard, Kathy Gerrish, (parent volunteer) and Ryan Crosby, (Norwich University intern).

Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District (CVSWMD) will discontinue funding for the 3 hour/day paid School Compost Monitor position will be eliminated for next year. A bus driver now holds this position. Two janitors are also assisting. How this will be handled next year is still under discussion. Tanya will check with CVSWMD to see how trash is being charges, by weight or volume. Examining the cost savings of composting will help with procuring funds for this position.

In follow-up to a custodian’s concern raised at a board meeting, we have found that Art and Kindergarten are not utilizing food for play or other educational, non-consuming purposes. Laura Moore will investigate more about this issue.

BTMES MAC money spending priorities will be discussed at the April 5th SHAC meeting.

SHAC Meeting Minutes 2/3/10

Mission Statement: “The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provides students, parents, staff and community with the knowledge and skills to make lifelong and sustainable healthful choices”.

Attendants: Lindsay Simpson, Tim Crowley, Andrea McLaughlin, Kathy Lord, Linda Seel, Laura Moore, Susan Barnard, Hi Ming, Sarah Chap, Laura Thygesen, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Alice Worth, Julia Prichard

Guest Speaker Physical Education Consultant from the Vermont Department of Education, Lindsay Simpson.

Overview: Reviewed recommendations of physical activity for students from the Department of Education and Vermont Department of Health. Presented research on the affects of physical activity on learning through the biophysical process of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological stimulation. Research comes from many sources, one pivotal being Spark, by John J Ratey, MD.

Presented research on how moderate to strenuous exercise (10-20min 65-85% max heart rate) prepares the brain to learn by improving long term memory, executive functioning, repairing/regrowing neurons, and strengthening neural pathways.

Success Stories:
City Park Colligate School, Sasktoon, SK – CBC “Brain Gains”
www.cbc.ca/thenational/indepthanalysis/story/2009/10/06/national-braingains.html

Naperville, Il - Scheduled physical education (PE) class prior to student-specific difficult class, physical activity embedded in every day activities, PE class every day. Offered PE to underperforming student prior to intervention and found that test scores doubled. www.learningreadiness.com

Charleston, SC - 40 min vigorous physical activity (PA) before school. Decreasing discipline referrals.

Kansas City, MO - Increased aerobic activity during PE. Found significant decrease in discipline referrals.

Mary Hogan, Middlebury, VT - “Walk & talk” program, classroom based movement activity “brainy boppers”.

Danville School, VT - 3 PE credits to graduate, PA breaks for all students k-12.

Bakersfield, VT - Classroom activity kits in each room, for “activity burst for the classroom”. Integrates with curriculum.

Learning Intervention:
Goal is to increase school-based opportunities for moderate to vigorous activity. Resources can be found through the CATCH program from Vermont DOE.

Discussed barriers at BTMES including lack of storage for winter gear, and resources for recess supervisors,

Discussed potential PA opportunities including recess, classroom transitions, and student-leaders for PA committee. Other ideas include setting a standard similar to reading 20 minutes/night books of 20 minutes of movement nightly, and having physical activity “institutionalized” as part of the BTMES “culture” similar to C.O.P.S. and the 25 book standard.

Identified need for further planning time. Ms. Simpson can return to assist the school team, attend a staff meeting, and provided a template for planning.

Considered including a PA action plan item to the formal DOE restructuring plan.

January 11, 2010 Minutes for SHAC
Taken by: Susan Barnard

Members in attendance: Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Nina Hansen, Ry Hoffman, Kathy Lord, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, Alice Worth

Laura Moore accepts the December minutes and Kevin Otis seconded. The December minutes were approved.

Kitchen report:
Breakfast participation is up to 20%, an increase of 7%.

Lunch participation is at 55% same as December.

Food Works bi-weekly purchase include the following: beets, turnips, cabbage, herbs, leeks, onions, kale, shallots, garlic, potatoes. Local purchase total $100 bi-weekly.

Laura Moore shared that Hannafords supermarket has begun to purchase and advertise local foods. She suggested that Abbey Group look into collaborating with Hannaford for the purchase and delivery of more local products for Barre Town School. Two Rivers is the current distributor of local products for schools. Nina Hanson, from the Abbey Group was interviewed by a state agency on establishing local foods in schools. A new bagel business is in contact with our school about buying from them.

Kitchen equipment purchase included a new motor for the hood above the dishwasher.

The holiday meal on Dec. 17th provided 667 meals (151 adults). Guests from grades two and three were invited.

K snack program is down, from 43 to 32 snacks per day. Snack-breakfast includes pretzels, blueberry muffins, veggie sticks, ranch dip, yogurt, cheese sticks, bagels, and cream cheese, apples and frozen blueberries. The children prefer the blueberries frozen.

Memorial Service for the Bailey children: Abbey group worked hard with a food committee and donated large platters of fruit, cheese as well as provided staffing for this special event for our community. The Spaulding High School’s food service was also a great help, providing help and the services of two of their paid.

Snack fairy program: Staffed well for Kindergarten. Jen Bombard has been hired for six weeks. We need six more volunteers prior to integrating grade one.

The National Dairy Council is offering a grant for $750 to assist in encouraging healthy foods and activity in schools. Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, and Kathy Lord review this grant for support for expanding the Snack-Breakfast program. Laura Moore will present the grant proposal to the school board.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Ry Hoffman presented a data review of the result from the BTMES 2009 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS). This data is based on responses from last year’s 8th graders, (9th graders at Spaulding High School). Ry Hoffman has noticed students with more stress at home and school, possibly as a result of the economy. He will present a report for the school board.

Action Plan #3
The district committee reviewing EPSDT fund (now called MAC) is in the process of revising the job description of the District SHAC Coordinator position. Tanya will be requesting suggestions of possible duties for this position from SHAC committee members via email.

Action Plan #1:
The Abbey Group was asked to figure what type of participation in the new Snack-Breakfast program is needed before they are fiscally able to before take it over.

Due to a schedule conflict, Lindsay Simpson, from the Department of Education, will be asked to attend the next SHAC meeting on February 3rd. rather than February 1st. Lindsay is invited to talk about the link between academic learning and being physically fit. Large participation for this important meeting is encouraged.

For Next Meeting a discussion on the schools use of food for art and other non-nutritive ways will be added to the agenda.

SHAC Meeting: December 7, 2009

Members in attendance: Susan Barnard, Kevin Otis, Nina Hansen, Kathy Lord, Laura Moore, and Patty Meriam.
Review of Novembers Minutes: Laura Moore approved the minutes and Kathy Lord seconded the minutes with no additions or corrections.

Kitchen report: Kevin Otis and Nina Hansen

Breakfast participation is 20%, an increase of 7%.

Lunch participation is at 55%

$100 per week purchased local products from Food Works including many vegetables and greens. (It was noted that red potatoes cost a great deal and the Burlington Food Works had Williamstown potatoes at a much lower price.)
Kevin is working with Steve Murray on the kitchen design. Laura Moore spoke about the school board and the facilities committee process for this project. Patty Meriam will continue communicating the SHAC recommendations for the remodeling to Mr. Bill Kirkland and Dr. John Bacon.

161 parents came to the Thanksgiving dinner, with a total of 643 lunches purchased marking, a big success. All children will be offered the winter holiday meal, but only second and third grade parents will be invited to have lunch with their children on December 17th. Holiday meals are rotated between grade levels to improve flow for our community.
Our snack program participation is at 50%, with 43 snack-breakfast purchased each day. Presently this is offered to kindergarten children only. The kitchen is making homemade muffins, wheat rolls, veggie sticks. Grade one will soon join the program. It was suggested that the kitchen look into dried fruit as an option. They will be changing to a monthly ordering and payment plan. Presently, 80% of the students participating in the free or reduced program are ordering snack-breakfast.

A bulletin board display including pictures of volunteers preparing snack-breakfast will become a visual for the school community to see the workings of the new snack program.

Physical Education Grant: Susan Barnard

The Department of Education has awarded Barre Town School with approximately $9,500.00 for E600 Polar Heart Rate monitors. They will be used in our 6-8 physical education department under the leadership of Phil Joyal. Our P.E. staff, Sarah Chap, Jack Carrier, John Baron, and Jeff Hazzard will work as a team to get this grant up and running. We plan to take the January in-service day to make this happen. It was suggested that the January or February newsletter feature an article about the grant to inform the community.

Suggestion that we have Ry Hoffman come in and report about Barre Town’s Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, (YRBS) report. What are the weakness that we need to address and the behavioral needs that seem to stand out?

Action Plan: #1 Improve student access to Barre Town’s breakfast program. Continue piloting the snack-breakfast program with the goal of expanding it to grade one and two by the end of this school year. (2009-2010)

Action Plan: #2 Healthy people learn better. Research proves that regular physical activity makes it possible for our students to achieve higher academic achievement. SHAC would like to investigate the possibility of adding thirty minutes to each day dedicated to vigorous physical activity. This will be supported by research data. Lindsay Simpson, the physical education consultant from the Department of Education, will attend a SHAC meeting. Administrators and interested people will be invited to discuss this research and what 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity would look like in our school. Data from the survey done by teachers in June 2008 will help inform action steps.

Action Plan #3 Research the viability of and develop a job description for a district School Health Advisory Coordinator. Investigate EPSDT funds for this position. Some duties of this position could be to chair the three SHAC committees, coordinate the health education, and address environmental health issues in the three schools.

SHAC Meeting: November 9, 2009

Mission Statement: The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff and community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices.

Members in Attendance: Susan Barnard, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Nina Hansen, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, Alice Worth

Review of October minutes

a. October minutes are on website as ‘unapproved’.
b. Correction to be made: remove (?) from 2nd page under ‘vending machine’ bullet.
c. Laura moved to approve, Patty seconded.
Kitchen Report

a. October breakfast participation increased 5% to 18% (due to 2 weeks of snack program); lunch participation about 51%.

b. Local purchases: about $100/wk.

c. Equipment working well.

d. Vending machine purchases leveling off; prices were lowered to $1.25.

e. Snack program in October – kitchen staff making homemade rolls, blueberry muffins, vegetable sticks; adult volunteers take orders, deliver, help separate foods (more about Snack Program under team III).

f. Fall Holiday meal is November 19; Kindergarten and 1st grade parents are invited, anticipating 700 people.

g. H1N1: precautions in kitchen: limiting items on condiment table, self-serve items are now being served, students now speak their numbers rather than use a pin pad. Some have asked to serve pre-made salads rather than offer the salad bar, though Kevin and Nina said salad bar utensils are changed out or wiped between servings, also students in 4th grade and lower are given pre-made salads instead of salad bar.

h. Kitchen has had to deal with absences of staff members; Tanya asked if there were employees that can be used in the event of absenteeism, Kevin says he has about 4 people on sub list.

i. Abbey conference: Annual employee training conference; focus was on local connections, safe food handling (HACCP).
Snack Program

a. During October, about 50% of kindergarteners participated in snack program; Kevin mentioned his hope for this program to increase; discussed possible reasons why only 50% of students are participating (illnesses/absences, parents not knowing about/understanding that the program is only 50 cents or free for students who have free and reduced status).

b. Discussed ways to get more students to participate: advertise program to parents during holiday dinners; give flyers to parents during parent/teacher conferences; take pictures to use for advertisements; possibly use CSL from 7/8th grade TAs to take pictures and make a display board to advertise. Patty will take pictures of program to use on website, and to create a front lobby display case to help advertise. Patty will contact Louise O’Connor for help with printing photos and placing photos on the website. Laura also would like pictures to show the School Board.

c. Kevin estimates that most free and reduced kids are taking advantage of program.

d. Kindergarten teachers state there is a lot of waste – some foods which the students do not like are being thrown away; they suggested having a ‘rotating’ menu (like they do for school breakfast), though Laura mentioned we liked the idea of providing students the opportunity to choose their own foods, and many worried that some students would not participate 100% because they may not want that day’s option.

e. 2nd grade teachers are enthusiastic about this program growing to incorporate more students. Tanya mentioned she will help teachers in 1st and 2nd grade learn how to run the snack program. Alice suggested the 1st grade teachers should talk with K teachers to relieve any uneasiness.

f. As snack program grows, Tanya mentioned another refrigerator will need to be purchased. (Kevin estimated about $4000 for a new refrigerator – Laura noted stimulus money may be available for this purchase.)

g. Laura mentioned School Board hopes to have the kitchen re-design on the ballot by March; waiting to hear from Black River Design about their request for money up-front for their design work.
PE Grant

a. Susan reported the Physical Education Department submitted the grant on Oct 30. End result: ordering 20 E-600 (best Polar heart rate monitors), new straps, laptop for interfacing. If we receive the grant, PE will change so middle school students will wear heart rate monitors for the duration of class and will be graded on effort/participation. This information will tie in with Math (Jack Carrier) – students will graph outcomes and create a portfolio; students will also discuss findings in Health/F&CS class. Will hear December 1st about any grant money awarded. Susan discusses possibly trying to find money from Blue Cross Blue Shield if this grant is not awarded.
Health Education curriculum committee

a. Working towards K-12 Health curriculum; Tanya mentioned discussing the possibility of Barre Town hiring a K-5 health educator, and possibly ‘splitting’ that person between Barre Town and Barre City.
H1N1 Flu update

a. H1N1 Flu Shot Clinic was postponed; found out last week that Department of Health is going to re-open enrollment in flu shot program (even for those who have already had the flu).

b. Barre Town is part of a community forum (along with Barre City, mayor, EMS) to coordinate efforts and services for Barre area to provide support and aid for community members.
Action Planning

a. Subcommittee-: Laura, Patty, Tanya, Susan; it was decided that the majority of the next SHAC meeting (December meeting) will be devoted to action planning.
Stimulus money

a. Laura says there is still money coming in, a lot is used for technology; Laura stated some money is being used for a new bus.

School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) Minutes:
Minutes of October 5th

Attendees: Susan Barnard Co-Chair, Tanya Crawford-Stempel Co-Chair, Nina Hansen, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, and new principal Alice Worth. Special guest was a teacher from China who is living with Laura Moore.

Minutes for the October 5th meeting were taken by Susan Barnard.

The May 5th 2009 minutes were approved

Announcements: The Vermont Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance , (VAHPERD) Outstanding Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the year is Mr. Phil Joyal. It is a great honor to have him as the teacher of the year. Phil had to submit a video of his teaching. He selected his first day of his bicycle safety unity for his presentation. Dr. Riggen, Dr. Susan Yesalonia from Norwich University, Susan Barnard, and Laura Thygesen will help present the award at the VAHPERD conference in early November. Our physical education staff is the only physical education staff in Vermont where all of our staff has received this award at some time during their professional career. This is one of the reasons why Norwich University uses our school for their practicum physical education experience.

Kitchen Report: Given by Chef Kevin Otis and Nina Hansen from the Abbey group

Local purchases from Food Works, $100 per week (Produce arriving every week: Bok choi, mesclin, romaine, fresh melons, apples, cabbage, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, herbs, leeks, onions, kale, cider garlic, beets, bacon ends and potatoes on this week's order.
Equipment: The large steamer unit has been replaced with a new one (approximately $18,000). This was a needed piece of equipment. Because of this replacement, the kitchen renovation for this summer was put on hold.
Black River Design will give a bid for kitchen renovations. A videotape will be made while we work in the kitchen. The reason for the video is to show the public difficulties in the kitchen work flow. Additionally, children are backed up into the lobby waiting for lunch. Mr. William Kirkland, school board member is in charge of getting several bids for the kitchen renovations. It was noted that the need for change was recommended as a result of our Farm To School Grant in 2007. The goal of this grant was to create sustainable methods for bringing farm fresh food to our cafeteria. SHAC is very proud of the progress that is being made two years later. Patty Meriam has been very instrumental in helping this happen.
The vending machine has a new product, by request of the SHAC. It is called Route 66. This product is 100% fruit juice with 2 oz of sparkling water. No HFCS or added sugars. Equals one serving of fruit and is part of the SNA. Students have been very excited about this vending machine item. The administration has stated that it must be consumed only in the dining room. All revenue such as catering, vending, meal sales, support the meal program initiatives at Barre Town. The increase in vending sales will make it easier to purchase local products.
The new Snack/breakfast program will be up and running next week. It will start with the kindergarten students. We have a great team of volunteers to run this. Tanya Crawford-Stempel, our school nurse , and Kevin Otis, chef for the Abbey group at Barre Town, have been working with the volunteers and the kindergarten teachers to make this successful. We will have snack fairies; complete with wings, helping the mothers deliver the snacks to our Kindergarten children. (the fairies are children who are not in kindergarten who come with their mothers). This program will expand to grades one and two later on this year.
The Farm to School grant that we had in 2007 recommends that we continue to buy locally. This snack program is one that will buy local produce. The school board approved to reimburse a 50% discount to parents for the first three months in each grade level this year for the pilot program. The Abbey group is donating an hour a day to help coordinate the effort. Laura Moore reminded the committee that students in grade four can come early and help also. No CSL students are helping because of the time of day that we need to set up. (CSL students are available from 11:10 to 11:40 only each day and the set up will not work at this time as the dining room is full of students at that time.) Food safety procedures will be followed by all who help.
14% are participating in breakfast and 51% are buying school lunches. (The end of the year we had 54%, but this is normal for the beginning of the school year.)

H1N1 Flu update: Reported by school nurse: Tanya Crawford-Stempel . The exact dates for the Vermont Department of Health H1N1 flu vaccination clinic has not been determined. It will be early November and early December. The Department of Health will come in and administer the shots. More details will be coming forth on how this will be handled. Signed permission slips will be needed before any child can have the shot. Principal, Alice Worth has been very involved in the process. No cases of H1N1 are reported at Barre Town School to date. The Department of Health estimates it will need seven volunteers to help at our school. If interested contact our school nurse. More details will be coming home with students. Parents who have children with influenza type symptoms should call the school. Jeff Hazard, our technology specialist, has set up an interactive website to assist our district pan flu team.

Action Plan: Alice Worth reports that we are an “identified school”. Reading and math are the two areas where the school is emphasizing the need for improvement. Unfortunately, this means the school has not included health issues on its action plan. Eleven people from our school have been attending meetings with the Vermont State Education Department. Ms. Pat Johnson is the person from the Department of Education that is overseeing our school.

Health goals have always been on the BTMES Action Plan. Action plans are data driven. We feel that we have data to back up our action plan steps. Alice will have a conversation with Ms. Johnson to see where our health action plan items belong. Once it is established that we can have health action plans then we will have our sub-committee involved to format our goals like the rest of the action plan. It may go under the Educational Support System. This will be worked out with Alice Worth, Susan Barnard, and Tanya Crawford-Stempel. Patty Meriam would like to be a part of this group.

Stimulus Money: Grant money for Health and Physical Education. The grant is due by October 30, 2009. There is talk within the physical education department of applying for this grant. We do understand that it must have school board approval. We have been talking about obtaining the Virtual Cycles as well as “Dance, Dance Revolution”. This could also be used during indoor recess periods. We are just starting to look into this. Suggestions on how to find a grant writer to help with this was discussed. Patty Meriam said that she was interested if she was reimbursed for her time. Susan Barnard said that Patty is a skillful grant writer who could easily work with our physical education team. More time is needed to look into this grant. Alice Worth spoke favorably about accepting this grant. During the morning of Oct. 12 our physical education team will investigate more on this grant. The school board will be informed about our progress.

Tanya Crawford-Stempel reminded our group that we had hoped to have a district SHAC coordinator on board for such a grant-writing event. This would help tie the three schools together in health and physical education. The money comes from EPSDT monies. Mr. Donald McMahon is in charge of this money. It no longer is called EPSDT but rather MAC money. More information is needed about the possibility of hiring a SHAC district coordinator.

Wellness Policy: A lively discussion took place about our wellness policy. With the upcoming holiday of Halloween and the parties that go on in our classrooms, it was recommended that Tanya and Susan visit with Alice to again inform the staff about our wellness policy. A special VNEA article was handed out with web sites on how to bring healthy snacks into our school and other suggestions on how to have a healthy party. Patty Meriam said she would write an article for the Parent Newsletter about our Wellness Policy. Perhaps the bulletin or in the upcoming faculty meetings would be a good place to remind staff about our Wellness policy. Some concern was also raised about the recess policy. Our policy states that: “No child may be removed from recess repetitively”. New staff and old should be reminded about this policy. It was stated that the administration is in charge of following the policies that are set, and SHAC’s job is to help guide the administration.

School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) Minutes:
May 4, 2009

Mission Statement:
The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and polices thaqt provide students, parents, staff, and community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices.

Attendees: Ry Hoffman, Nina Hansen, Laura Moore, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Sarah Chap, Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel.

Secretary: Susan Barnard

Minutes for the April 6th meeting were approved.

Announcements:
Kitchen update: Steamer is in the process of being fixed. Outdoor barbeque was wonderful today on a bright sunny May day. 482 people had lunch, and 43 adults. It was noted that the children did not eat outside on the grass. We thought it was because the lunch duty people did not direct them to eat outside. Next year we will make sure the adults know where to direct the students. The hamburger meat was bought special from St. Johnsbury. (Local meat.) It was suggested that we make a “big deal” out of this next time. Green Mountain Roaster’s Coffee will still be bought for our school, but not in other schools who have the Abbey group. We were very pleased they are going to still be used. Green Mountain Roaster’s Coffee has donated a great deal of coffee to our school.

The bag breakfast has been stopped because of lack of growth in the breakfast program.

The field trip to Montpelier to see the snack cart will happen in mid-May. Tanya will send out the exact date. Alice Worth, (next year’s principal), and Ted Riggen will attend as well as PTO President, Jennifer Bombard, two kindergarten teachers, Patty Meriam, and Laura Moore.

Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC): We have requested that the speed limit be lowered from 35 to 25 miles per hour, painting two crosswalks on Websterville Road between the school and the children’s garden and from the school to Pitman Road. They would also like the area in front of the school declared an official school zone.

TSAC is tabling this item for several reasons; an accurate speed count needs to be done this spring, the engineer needs to do the research to see what criteria the school has to meet in order to be considered an official school zone, the TSAC wants to see the school’s evacuation policy and the walking/biking to school policy. TSAC will revisit this summer after all of the above have been completed.

Health Office is going to be renovated: The new office will have windows for a confidential area for conversations with students. A curtain area for a sick adult or student will enable more private time for those ill. We will take the handicapped bathroom from the kitchen and move it into the Health Office. This work will be outside contracted because of asbestos. A special “thank you” to Patty Meriam for helping with all the details and drawing for the new Health Office.

Swine Flu Update: Meetings have been occurring as a district with superintendent. We did have a plan in place for a pandemic event. We are working very closely with the Department of Health. Communication with staff to help remind the children about hand hygiene has been encouraged. Patty suggested that parents tell why students are absent. Tanya said that once our school has10% absent attendance we will change the message for parents to tell why the child is absent. The Department of Health has been excellent. Tanya has been writing articles for the newsletter. Also Dr. Bacon will give a press release soon about how ready our school was for this event. Hand washing before lunches was a very important discussion. In the classroom alcohol-based hand sanitizers are used and not anti-bacterial. Lunch room monitors should encourage the use of hand sanitizer as students enter the dinning room.

Next Years Action Plan: A June 8th meeting will be scheduled for writing our action plan for next year. All are invited to attend this meeting.

Dress Code: A lengthy discussion was held concerning the inappropriate dress of our students. It was suggested that we have a dress code as guidelines not a policy. It would appear in the parent/student handbook. Laura Moore plans to take the suggestions that were made to the school board. Further discussions will be held on this matter by other committees, administration, and teachers in our school. Carolyn Jarvis has asked for our input. A Williamstown dress code was used as a model for discussion.

Envision Grant: Tanya told about the Dept. of Health “Green Certification.” The goal is to improve air quality, check various parts of our school to see how we are addressing cleaning needs, number of people cleaning per square yard, etc. We would look into the filters in our school to see how often they are changed and what they are made of. In an article from the NEA it was recommended that we use pleated filters not fiberglass. Nina said that dish room has very poor ventilation. Patty noted that this should be noted this summer with all the renovations that are taking place in the kitchen area.

Middle School 5-8 Schedule Proposal: Trimester will not occur. Ry hoped that some changes would be made, but not involving physical education. The Physical Education schedule is status quo. The schedule proposal is still in flux. Quality School Standards was mentioned as a reference for the amount of time of instruction in Technology Education, Health, and F&CS.

School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) minutes:
April 6, 2009

Attendees: Ted Riggen, Ry Hoffman, Nina Hansen, Laura Moore, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Sarah Chap, Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Linda Seel

Review of March Minutes: The March minutes were passed with correction of the Barre Town Facilities Meeting date to March 18th.

Announcements: Nina Hansen

Kitchen Update: The kitchen is still without a steamer.
Chef Kevin has been out following the birth of his new baby.
The spring dinner was canceled due to lack of the steamer. An alternative event to the spring dinner could be the May BBQ. This idea is pending school approval.
Nina attended the snack breakfast program meeting. The Abby Group is fully on-board with this idea.
The Abby Group has hired new staff members, and are in the process of training them.
Nina did a presentation on the Nutritional Food Guide to two grade 4 classes. Patty will follow-up with facilities for the purchase of the steamer.

New Business: Ry Hoffman
Middle School 5-8 Schedule Proposal: Tim Crowley, Ry Hoffman, and Julia Pritchard formulated a Middle School (grades 5-8) proposal to be implemented next year. Some factors influencing the schedule change include: recent NECAP scores, Youth Risk Behavior Survey results, teacher schedule inequities, and a desire to strengthening a “middle school” vs. a “junior high school” philosophy through implementing a more developed TA component. The goal of TA would be to create smaller groups for students to provide consistency, and a better relationship with a teacher. TA teachers would be able to create individualized activities based on goals for the group. The goals include problem solving, listening, etc. There could be suggested activities or a curriculum, and TA’s could create their own activities.

Ry provided a handout with the goals for this change. Some of these goals include: improving NECAP scores by increasing time in core classes, the addition of true TA time, creating common planning time for grade-level core teachers, as well as others.

The proposal is based on a trimester system of 12 weeks each, with 6 periods each day. The change would increase core class time from 50 to 58 minutes. Ry presented several handouts explaining how the daily and trimester schedule changes would affect different classes and grade levels.

Some affects include: having each core teacher focus on one subject area, team teaching with special educators for challenged learners, inclusion of F&SC for 5th grade, and enrichment for grades 7 and 8.

Ry reviewed an outline of gains and losses of time allotted for specials.

Discussion occurred on the impact the proposal would have on physical education. Some concerns include; difficulty adjusting the newly adopted PE curriculum to a trimester system, complications with performing fitness testing 2 time per year, aligning students skills with Barre City for entry to Spaulding, having two consecutive days of PE with 5 days between, and having12 weeks without PE compromising skill building and student physical activity levels. Conflicts with the Wellness Policy were also discussed.

Other concerns of gaps in instruction in foreign language were expressed.

Some suggestion by members include; looking at how kids learn and whether the proposal fits their learning needs, and having structured activity time in lieu of recess for grades 7 and 8.

A subcommittee will be formed to examine these concerns with the physical education team. The goal will be to provide feedback regarding the positive and negative affect the schedule proposal would have on student health and wellness.

School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) minutes:
March 9, 2009

Attendees: Ted Riggen, Ry Hoffman, Kevin Otis, Laura Moore, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Sarah Chap, Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Guest: Theresa Murray-Clasen, (program coordinator of Union Elementary School Snack Cart Project).

Minutes from the February meeting were approved.

Announcements:

Barre Town Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Up-date: Susan Barnard attended the Barre Town Safety Advisory Committee meeting in February. The request was for Mr. Crowley to write another letter, being very specific about our request. (Letter was written to Mr. Chauncey Liese, Chairman of the Barre Town Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.) The letter was written by Mr. Crowley, specifically asking for two crossings, one by the school and the Wilson Industrial Park. We also asked for a reduction of the speed limit from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. The request will be discussed by this Safety Board. Mr. William Kirkland was advised by Susan about what went on at this meeting the next day.

Barre Town Facilities meeting: The next meeting will be on March 18th. Patty Meriam will attend. She will meet with Kevin Otis about his priorities. The school budget has approved $25,000.00 for our kitchen update. Patty and Kevin will be going. over the list and reviewing the Kingzett report from the Farm to School grant. Patty will go to the Facilities meeting.

Kitchen report: Given by Kevin Otis: 12% breakfast, (students have been eating breakfast), 35% lunch. Local food purchase is approximately the same as last month. Equipment up-date: New coffee pots are in, warming oven has been repaired, ice machine is running. Large steamer unit purchased 1966 (?) has a crack in the heating tube. A decision is going to be made to replace (~20K) or fix this unit (7K). Bill Kirkland talked briefly to Steve Murray on this. No decision has been made. Changing the vending machines has increased students buying of: Vermont Pure water, fruit juice, and flavored water.

Iron Chef Competition: Abbey group will pay for food, hats, and attending fee for the competition. Sarah Chap is involved as the teacher who is helping coordinate this along with Kevin Otis from the kitchen. The menu will be: whole wheat pancakes, with apples, and carrots. Five 6th grade students are attending. It is recommended that pictures from the event be put on the Barre Town web site as well as in the lobby. Sarah said she is going to make this happen.

Barre Town Breakfast program: A way to transition the “bag breakfast’ out of existence has been briefly discussed. The number of students taking the “bag’ has not increased breakfast numbers. The breakfast committee will meet again to talk about the next step.

Union Elementary School Snack Cart Project: Theresa Murray-Clasen explained the situation at her school. There are 380 students at Union Elementary. On a daily basis 200 of them take this option of snack. The program has been in existence for three years. It is making a profit. It is run by a pool of 22 volunteers, 3 or 4 working each week.
They had three goals:
1. To meet their new wellness policy
2. Limit academic disruption, (snack is delivered to the outside of each door.) Teacher may decide when to eat snack.
3. Inject more money into the local economy, most are local and organic.

Time: 8:30 to 10:30 M-F.
How did they start? Communication: Parent newsletter. Real outreach to parents, noted that low income families were also approached. Parents with young children also could count on their children being involved to help deliver.

Key Ideas:

Two hour shifts
Training at the beginning of the year
Volunteers only work one day a week
Young children wear “wings” bought at the dollar store.
The snack if it meets the Federal government guidelines can also count as breakfast so the low income children do not have to pay.
A scholarship money is set up for those low income who take breakfast and then this snack
Whole wheat muffins, squash muffins, whole wheat beagles, Blueberries are from Maine, veggie crop, bagels, local cheese and yogurt.
High school food service helps make products.
Use space to set up on the tables in the dinning room, not in the kitchen area.
Need for storage area for the refrigerated goods. Details of all of this must be worked out with Kevin Otis.
Pre-order from each teacher with an Excel spread sheet. Electronically sent.
Lots of publicity from local newspaper, invited the mayor, etc.
Detailed list goes back into the box so it can be checked.
Target some children who are on behavior plans to help and it really can make a big difference.
Cost of the Union snack is 50 cents per item. The “snack breakfast” is $1.25. Our breakfast cost is $.85. So we really have to look at the cost.
Movie night to raise money for the scholarships for those who can not pay, or are taking a “second breakfast”.
Key is to really educate the students. People go into the classrooms and “sell” the program. Taste testing done in classrooms to familiarize and educate students with the quality of the local products
More detail can be seen by hand-outs given out at the meeting.

Breakfast Committee Meeting to continue this discussion will be set up.

Answer this question: “What to do first?” Tanya stated that we would take this information that Theresa Murray-Clasen presented move the discussion to the Breakfast committee. Tanya would set up this meeting.

BPA free plastic alert. Laura Moore spoke about more findings of the BPA in baby’s bottles, plastic soft drinks. People need to become more educated in the dangers of BPA.

SHAC meeting minutes - February 2, 2009

Attendees: Susan Barnard, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Kathy Lord, Nina Hansen, Ry Hoffman, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Mike Olsen, Linda Seel

Minutes from January Meeting approved.

Announcements:

Kitchen Report – Nina Hansen

The Abbey Group is exploring the use of new computerized billing. Parents would have access to account info and can pay online for a small service charge. Traditional payment methods would still be accepted.
Local purchases last month included eggs, apples, rutabaga, kimchee, whole-wheat flour and mesclin.
New vending machine sold 300 units, well above old machine sales.
The breakfast cart has not increased overall participation in breakfast program. The committee suggested a trial until April, and then if there is no improvement in numbers, then a program modification could be made, such as sending students down from classrooms to retrieve breakfast bags. The “Breakfast Club” subcommittee will meet to discuss this more.
The January 30th health inspection of the kitchen produced a score of 95 (very good). Three points were deducted for equipment maintenance issues, which have been forwarded to Steve Murray. These include ongoing issues with the ice machine and warming cabinet thermostat calibration problem.
2 new storage bins for flour, sugar were received, and an order for 2 new coffee brewers was placed.
2 groups of students have expressed interest in the Iron Chef competition, being held on March 28th, through Sarah Chap. Kevin to have some participation at the judging, The Abbey Group will provide chef’s coats and entrance fees for participating students.

Facilities Meeting – Laura Moore/Patty Meriam

Patty will meet with Nina to prioritize kitchen equipment and safety needs for the $25,000 budget allotment. These needs will be brought to Bill Kirkland prior to the facilities meeting.

Gym Floor – Susan Barnard

This issue was resolved by the application of a new surface wax.

Websterville Rd. Safety – Susan Barnard

Suggestions to improve road safety in font of the school include a reduction of the speed limit in front of the school to 25 mph, and the addition of a crosswalk from the school to the garden.
An additional suggestion was made for another crosswalk from the parking lot to the Industrial Park for crossings during full emergency evacuations.
Bill Kirkland and SHAC members will take these suggestions to the Barre Town transportation meeting on 2/18. Susan Barnard to attend.

Old Business:

Activity Survey – Laura Moore

Tim Crowley would like a statement from SHAC to assist in communicating the academic and physical benefits of increasing physical activity for children during the school day. Ry, Susan and Tanya will get together to create this statement. The statement will by circulated to all SHAC member via email for review prior to submitting to Mr. Crowley
Ongoing discussion occurred on ideas for increasing activity for next year, in addition to looking at what may be happening nationally in this area.
Laura will report at the next SHAC meeting on any incentives in the federal stimulus package for increasing student physical activity.

New Rowing Equipment – Sarah Chap

The 4 rowing machines are arriving on 2/6 to be used in Sarah Chap’s H/F& CS class, and will be stored in her classroom. We will have them for the remainder of the school year. At the end of year we can return or purchase any or all of them. The cost of three of the machines is $650 each. The fourth, which is a different model, is $700. We will be looking for grant money for this. Linda Seel confirmed that this is an appropriate use of EPSDT funds. Linda will check on the amount of available from EPSDT and email it to Tanya.

Cleaning Audit – Tanya Crawford-Stempel

A suggestion was made that a check be done to assure that the recommendations from the chemical/cleaning audit have been presented at the facilities meeting. Laura will check on this.

Bisphenol A (BPA) in School – Laura Moore

A suggestion was made for SHAC to provide more education to the school community on the dangers of BPA through means such as the Parent Newsletter.
$1200 was earned through the Tupperware fundraiser for Crops By Kids. Suggestions were made to look into an alternative food storage fundraiser. Crops By Kids will not repeat this fundraiser until more information is available as to whether Tupperware products are BPA-free.

New Business

Snack Time For Middle School Students – Tanya Crawford-Stempel

Teachers have expressed concerns that upper grade level students are hungry during the latter part of the day at school, resulting in more difficult instruction. This may be due in part by early lunch breaks, not enough time to eat during lunch, and rules against eating in the classrooms. Mike is to look into this issue
The organizer of Montpelier’s snack program, Theresa Murray-Clasen, will be invited to attend the next SHAC meeting for more ideas.

Cafeteria Noise Level – Susan Barnard

A contact from a Montpelier school (Theresa Murray-Clasen) requested advice on how to address noise in their cafeteria. Recent successes at BTMS include a greater administrator presence in the cafeteria, and the Yakker Trakker. Mike will follow up with using the room divider partition in the cafeteria to further reduce noise. The partition may also reduce some of the distractions between different class levels.

Food in Art – Laura Moore

A custodian raised a concern about using food for art projects. With worldwide food shortages, using food for play seems to send the wrong message to children about the expendability of food. SHAC members were asked to bring some suggestions to the next meeting.

Patty Meriam shared a new web resource: www.greaterbarrecomunity.ning.com
This site includes an initiative to create more community gardens in Barre. Susan Barnard also shared that the photos for the cafeteria are still in the process of being framed.

Next meeting: March 9, 2009

SHAC meeting January 12, 2009

Attendees: Susan Barnard, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Kathy Lord, Ry Hoffman, Phil Joyal, Deb Fontes, Kevin Otis, Laura Moore, Patty Meriam

A. Review of December Minutes

Susan moved to approve, Tanya and Kathy seconded.
Minutes accepted.

B. Gym Floor – Presented by Phil Joyal

Gym Floor is very, very slippery – there seems to be a “film” on the floor surface that makes it really slippery - stopping is incredibly difficult, as well as changing directions – There has been an increase of falls this year from kids slipping on the floor (even kids running in straight lines has resulted in some falls) - PE lessons have had to be altered as a result of the slippery floor – Maintenance has been contacted about the floor condition – Phil thinks that the floor is worse this year than any prior year – Laura Moore mentioned that it is the belief of the Board that the wax that has been used in the past has caused this slipperiness, but they believed that the issue was dealt with – Even after the new wax is put on the gym floor, once is dries, its like a “skating rink” – Phil’s purpose in presenting this information is not to request a new floor, but to inform the SHAC committee of the condition of the floor at this time.
In brainstorming possibilities, Laura thought that possibly cleaning the floor with water only could be a solution, or at least an information-gathering exercise.
Laura Moore will bring the matter up at the next Facilities Meeting.

C. Announcements

Kitchen Report

i. We’re running at a steady 53% lunch participation rate.
Breakfast Program * ACTION PLAN ITEM

ii. Breakfast numbers are consistent as well right now. The breakfast cart is now in place. Tanya made some signage to help promote the “grab and go” program. There is now someone who is running the “grab and go” cart for both “shifts”. According to Tanya, there have been a few teachers who have mentioned their confusion with the “grab and go” program, so possibly some education would be appropriate.

iii. The lunchroom has also been opened up for a sit-down breakfast for students in the morning – the students haven’t really used this service as of yet.

iv. Kevin mentioned the idea of a promotion where the griddle would be used to make fresh pancakes in the morning in the cafeteria. They are also hoping to serve some warmed chocolate milk as hot chocolate at that time as well.

v. Local food purchases are around $75/week. There is a new vending machine in the cafeteria provided by Vermont Pure (bought and sold at a cheaper cost – contains water, flavored water, and juice).

vi. Equipment – running well so far. There are some plastic storage containers that need to be replaced (cracked lids).

vii. December Holiday Meal was a great success. 150 parents – 678 people total (same for Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner).

viii. Susan suggested that the staff, especially the new staff, should be educated as to what to do if/when they see a student not eating their lunch.

ix. Next meeting, discuss afternoon snacks time for Middle School students.
New Rowing Equipment *ACTION PLAN ITEM

i. Barre Town School will be participating in the Concept II - Program where rowing machines are loaned to schools – PE and H/F&CS is interested in obtaining some rowers (5 possibly) – these would be rowers on loan with the option to buy. Sue Yesalonia is also interested in obtaining some rowers for the Moving for Fun program (and possibly another after-school fitness program)
Facilities Meeting

i. The meeting has been moved to next Wednesday, January 21st at 4 pm. Patty would like to go over with Bill Kirkland and Kevin (?) the details to be covered in that meeting.

ii. There are a couple of options with the Websterville Road Safety situation. They can (a) put out tape that keeps track of vehicle speed, or (b) the radar box. The other idea is just to go to the town meeting and request that the speed limit be reduced to 25 MPH. In addition, a request for a crossing walk would be mentioned. Road signage could also be suggested designating a School Zone. Laura suggested requesting a “road cone” like one they use in Montpelier. This might be purchased by the town transportation committee and given to the school to maintain. Laura also mentioned that this should be mentioned to the School Board prior to attending the Town meeting.

Health Ed Curriculum Committee *ACTION PLAN ITEM

i. A committee of people from the three district schools will be meeting monthly to create the K-12 Health Education Curriculum. The goal is to have this completed in two years. Barre Town is ahead of the curve in terms of the research, but the other schools will work on gathering research to help create this curriculum.

Path to Wellness Sub-Committee

i. There is still talk about how to spend the monies gained through the Path to Wellness Program. If we have ideas about how to spend that money, we are to make those recommendations to Laura Thygesen and Deb Fontes. The basic tenet is that it be a permanent type of change, and that would reach as many adults in the district as possible.

D. Old Business

Activity Survey * ACTION PLAN ITEM – Laura presented an update from the Student Success Committee Meeting in which Tim Crowley presented the idea of a new schedule for next year. Some goals for all students with a new schedule include; longer, guided recess, TA, and more movement incorporated in the day. Discussion on the evolution of increasing student activity during recess occurred. This will be on next month’s agenda as well.
Cleaning Products Audit – will be tabled for next month’s agenda
Plastic Containers in School – will be table for next month’s agenda

SHAC meeting December 1, 2008

Attendees: Susan Barnard, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Nina Hansen, Ry Hoffman, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, Linda Seele

A. Review of October Minutes
 Susan referenced page 2 of October minutes: there really are FOUR action planning activities, not three
 Tanya will add mission statement to all minutes
 Tanya moved to approve, Kathy seconded
 Minutes accepted (10/6/08)

B. Announcements

SAP (Student Assistant Program) Grant:
- With this grant money, (funded by Departments of Health and Education), Barre Town has hired SAP counselor PJ LaPerle. PJ is working between Barre Town (3 days/wk until mid-January, then twice a week) and SHS (all other days).
- Susan suggested that someone makes sure all teachers know who he is and what he does. Ry has introduced him to all 5-8th grade teachers. There was a note about PJ and his role in the announcements and there will be one in newsletter. It was suggested that the school use a future staff meeting to introduce PJ to everyone and fully explain his services.
Breakfast program:
- Tanya mentioned that the Action Plan states the school must explore ways students can access breakfast. Tanya announced two new breakfast programs beginning December 15:
  - the kitchen will have a few tables in the cafeteria available for those students who arrive to school early so they may sit to eat their breakfasts, and
  - the kitchen will set-up a ‘grab and go’ cart with bagels, muffins, etc (the same items as breakfast, but slightly limited) to make it easier for students to get breakfast. Kevin mentioned that the students can also save this to eat at snack time later in the day
- Kevin reported that breakfast sales have gone up a small amount, possibly due to the advertising of the meal (kitchen has sent home letters to free and reduced students and a statement now appears in the bulletin announcing breakfast menu each day)
Taste Testing Update:
- Last month’s taste testing food was sweet mashed potatoes. Tanya acknowledged the wonderful help that Sue Wells (parent volunteer) is providing to the program. The program has a theme called “A Rainbow of Foods.” Tanya reports the program is going well.
Peer Mediation:
- Ry reported that the new Peer Mediator training is happening this Friday (December 5) at the Aldrich Public Library. At the training, two 8th grade students will help train ten-twelve 4-8th grade students.
- Ry reports this program is not being accessed much, and that teachers must refer students to peer mediation.
- Because of hectic schedules and the demands of this program, Ry hopes the 8th graders will help take on some of the organizational roles this year, to help make it run more smoothly.
- It was suggested that Peer Mediators wear some sort of insignia to let other students know they are involved in the program. Ry said they had thought of having buttons for mediators to wear for “Mediator of the Day.”
- Patty suggested doing a display in the glass display cases, advertising the Peer Mediation program. Ry told the committee that at the first meeting, students will create posters advertising the program.
Safe Routes to School:
- Susan referenced the handout which was provided to the school summarizing what had happened with Safe Routes to School at Barre Town. Susan directed us to page 9 of the report that talks about the new sidewalk and how it is not connected to the school (it ends at the school’s driveway). Susan said she notices the sidewalk being used, but is concerned that it needs to be extended so students, parents, teachers, community members, etc can walk directly to the school, and stay far away from busses. Susan suggested the possibility of the sidewalk connecting to the bike path. Laura reported that the Facilities Committee is discussing different options to solve this problem.
- Page 10 of this handout states that school signage must be brought up to current MUTCD standards. Susan mentioned that the Facilities Committee needs to be aware of this.
- The speed limit in front of the school was discussed. The posted speed limit is 35 mph. Susan summarized the report, saying that most people drive over the speed limit in this area (upper 30s and low 40s). Susan stated she is concerned about this, and hopes a speeding radar/‘speed detector’ could be placed in front of the school to make drivers aware of their speed. Patty stated it could be requested (Patty agreed to call Carl about placing a radar detector in front of the school). The committee also discussed the possibility of having the speed limit in this area be reduced since there are more people (including children walking to school) who are walking along the road. Laura suggested petitioning to lower the speed limit.
- Susan stated that the school didn’t really participate in National Walk to School Day.
- Susan reported that the new Walk Smart Bike Smart program hasn’t been used/tested yet. She also mentioned that Phil Joyal is still working with bikes in his class, and is now using the help of a man from Northfield Bikes to do repairs.
- On page 11 of the handout, Susan suggested looking into incorporating a ‘walking’ school bus at Barre Town.
- Tanya asked if facilities had received a copy of the Safe Routes to School handout, and Laura said she would make sure they receive it for their next committee meeting.
- Ry asked if bike path could be plowed for use in the winter season. Patty suggested asking a snowmobiling club with plowing equipment. Patty agreed to talk to someone for the snowmobiling club about this. Susan also said the town manager should be included in this.

C. Old Business

Activity Survey:
- Laura and Susan went to the Student Success Committee meeting and discussed recess and the plan to get students more active. Tim Crowley attend a Physical Education Department meeting to discuss getting middle school students involved in the recess program. Tim asked the PE teacher to compile a list of teachers who would be interested in getting the program started. Susan also brought Ted Riggen to the outdoor track at recess one day to show him the 3rd grade run/walk program already being used. Susan reports that it is easy to monitor the students while they take part in the program.
Kitchen report:
- Nina reported that October breakfast participation was only 12% of the school, and only 27% of free and reduced students participated. October lunch participation was 51%.
- November breakfast participation was 13% of the school, with 25% of free students and 34% of reduced students participated. Nina reminded the committee that reduced students eat breakfast for free. November lunch participation was 51%.
- Nina reported about some dishwasher problems and said it was serviced twice in October and November. The motor and timer were replaced and now it is working properly.
- A new floor cleaner is being used, and they are still evaluating its effectiveness
- Nina reported that the Thanksgiving meal was a huge success. For this meal, only parents of kindergarten and grade 1 were invited, totaling 150 adults. Nina said there was much better traffic flow due to only invited two grades. Adults liked the meal and the atmosphere. Nina mentioned there was less parent participation this year and would like to have more, but mentioned students helped a lot (Student Council)
- Next holiday meal: December 10. Families of students in grade 2 and 3 will be invited.
- Patty suggested giving information to parents at holiday meals about the meal program, specifically the breakfast program, free and reduced forms, etc
- A new bulletin board is outside the cafeteria in the lobby. Kevin posts the daily menu every day. The kitchen will soon advertise the daily soup special on a decorative plate
- Nina spoke about the possibility of a new beverage supplier in the cafeteria. The new supplier would carry 16 oz Vermont Pure Water ($1.00 cost) and other drink options, upon school approval. The kitchen tested Vermont Pure Water on the a la carte line and sold 24 bottles in one day.
- Laura asked Kevin and Nina about money from a fund intended to provided lunch money to students who can’t afford it. Kevin was unaware of the fund and said he hadn’t seen any money for that purpose. Kevin reported that even when the kitchen sends letters home to families, there are students who don’t have money to buy lunch and who don’t bring in lunch from home
- Laura mentioned an article in today’s Times Argus about Taste Testing, Crops by Kids, etc.
Cleaning Product Audit:
- Tanya spoke about the audit completed by the Association of Vermont Recyclers, in which all of the school’s chemicals were inventoried and researched. Tanya summarized the audit, which stated that Barre Town is doing a nice job of using some ‘green’ products and practices. The audit made recommendations for the school, including replacing some products immediately because of health concerns. The audit suggested other chemicals should be replaced with another product as soon as the school runs out of it, since it doesn’t pose as much of a concern. It also suggested using different equipment.
- Tanya spoke about the Envision program, which is through the Department of Health. The Envision program is a grant program for schools to help make them as health and ‘green’ as possible in their cleaning processes (Tanya thought the grant was somewhere around $4000). Tanya stated that SHAC can explore becoming an Envision certified school.
- Patty suggested asking someone outside of SHAC to help with this task. She suggested contacting Lori Gola, who she said is currently researching ways to clean ‘green.’ Patty said she might be able and willing to do some work/research and possibly write the grant.
Action Planning:
- Susan drew attention to the fact that there are FOUR items, not three
  1. Breakfast Program: committee thinks the school is making progress in this area, but wonders if it is making an impact on participation
  2. Vigorous Daily Activity: Susan thinks the committee needs to meet to discuss this again
  3. U-61 Health Education Curriculum: John Barone scheduled a meeting for December 18 at 3:45 at the Central Office Conference Room. Patty mentioned she would not like to be on this committee and would like her name taken off the list of SHAC representatives
  4. FitnessGram Results

D. New Business:

Path to Wellness:
- Susan spoke about the VEHI (Vermont Education Health Initiative) Path to Wellness program, and summarized that the program pays teachers to join (they literally send teachers a check for doing various activities). The school district also receives money when teachers participate. So far, the district has approximately $33,000 to spend on health related events/programs for teachers. This money has gone toward paying for healthy lunches using local ingredients served to teachers on staff development days. This money also purchased a water cooler found in the teacher’s room.
- Teachers in the district were asked their opinion as to what the money should purchase. Some ideas were ‘touch less’ paper towel dispensers and ‘touch less’ sinks, discounts for teachers to go to Millstone.
- This program involves doing different things to promote staff to improve their health. Susan reported that VEHI is experimenting with how districts should spend their money. It was decided that there will be a subcommittee of SHAC formed to think of ideas to spend the money.
Chemicals in Plastic Containers:
- Laura reported to the committee about studies being done by the Federal Drug Administration concerning a chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA) which is found in many plastic products.
- Laura said her daughter, Mikaela, brought this subject to her attention when researching a current event for class last year. The major concern is when plastics containing BPA are heated, which can release the chemical into food (Tuperware). Laura stated that new research is being done, and most studies are showing that BPA is very harmful. Laura said the limits for this chemical are lower in children than in adults.
- Some of the concerns raised among committee members were microwaves in the staff lounge, kitchen employees reheating leftovers, and students heating lunch in microwaves. Kevin reported that the kitchen does not use plastics, except for sour cream containers. Nina said they will look into health concerns about this.
- Laura said she thinks the FDA will eventually ban BPA based on emerging research, but in the meantime, committee members stated the school community should be aware of this issue. Tanya suggested Mikaela write a letter about this issue to be published in the parent newsletter. Susan suggested posting something about it in the bulletin so teachers are aware. Sarah stated she can discuss it with students in her F&CS cooking classes.

Next meeting January 12, 2009 at 3:40 pm in the conference room

SHAC MEETING MINUTES
October 6, 2008

Members Present: Susan Barnard; Tanya Crawford-Stempel; Sarah Chap; Deb Fontes; Nina Hanson; Patty Meriam; Laura Moore; Kevin Otis, and Ted Riggen

* Tobacco/EPSDT/SAP Grants
Our most recent grant has been written and submitted. The grant was written to bring some $8000 to Barre Town, most of which will be for the use of health program curriculum materials.

Our EPSDT grant for a total of $60,000 will pay for before- and after-school programs, one day of Dr. O’Hare’s time, and part of a home-school coordinator’s position.

* Bike to School Effort
(Will be addressed at our next meeting.)

* Vermont Food Bank Back Pack Distribution
The Abbey staff have really been managing this program after it was set up by
Tanya and staff. The response from parents was not as great as hoped for, but we anticipate that participation will grow to our limit of 17 families and that interest will be gained by word-of-mouth.

The 3 1/2 lb. packages of nonperishable foods are picked up in the kitchen by invited parents or other family members. Those who are participating are enjoying the program.

* Crops by Kids Program
We are at the end of our successful 2008 garden project. Chef Kev’, Susan, Ellen Sulek, Phyllis Wiggins, and Jesse Shapiro, and several of our families were instrumental in the between-school-years program.

Susan spoke to the sale of produce at our open house, Chef Kevin gave a number of examples of the inclusion of this produce in our lunch offerings, and we learned that several of our vegetables were entered into Vermont’s famous “world fair,” with a number of honors, plus one ”best-in-the-show” award for Noah’s sweet potato entry.

SHAC members asked about the missing board used to post the daily lunch offerings. Kevin reported that the board was apparently taken without anyone’s knowledge. There will be a replacement in place shortly.

* The Lunchtime Mileage Club
Grades three and four will be involved in a lunchtime walk/run mileage club. SHAC members discussed making this non-competitive lunchtime activity and, over time, expanding the to other grades. This walking/running activity earns students tokens – which are much sought after. (This will be the first time that this normally-third-grade activity has expanded to fourth grade.) We will go with two times each week until the snow flies and then continue the program next spring.

* The Kitchen Report
Kevin reported the following:

Breakfast participation is currently at about 11%.
Participation in our hot lunch program is approximately 50%
Abbey purchases some $130 per week in local produce. (Details of these facts may be found in the Chef’s attached report).
Under the direction of Chef Kev’ and Jessie, students in Ms. Wiggin’ class have worked in the kitchen to prepare the our garden tomatoes for lunchtime use as a tomato sauce. Staff and students enjoy this activity.
The kitchen staff has been in several training sessions already this year.

* Action Plan Activities (Discussed 3 of 4 items on Action Plan)
#1. (Improving student access to our breakfast program .) SHAC members discussed a number of alternatives for how to accomplish this activity of having more of our students eat before going to morning classes.

A subgroup was formed to prioritize the alternatives for the sake of exploration and to set one or more site visits to see how other schools are providing a broader breakfast program. More to follow.

#2. (Increasing the opportunity for students to have vigorous daily exercise.)
The committee reviewed the suggestions made by staff regarding how we might accomplish this “daily exercise” goal. After some discussion, we encouraged the board’s “Success for All Students” Committee to further explore possible avenues to meet this action plan activity.

#3. (Developing a U-61 health education curriculum.) Sarah Chap, Tanya, Vern Eldred, and Patty Meriam will be our representatives to work with U-61’s John Barone. John plans to meet as a U-61 group prior to our next SHAC meeting. An early question that John posed was the degree to which our science curriculum could house some of the health lessons.

* Pandemic Flu
There is real concern on the part of the Vermont Department of Health that Vermont will, sooner or later, experience a pandemic flu. A category-5 epidemic is predicted to disrupt the comings and goings of literally all Vermonters to some extent. For example, such an epidemic would make it necessary to close some/all schools for a period of four to seven weeks which obviously has wide-ranging implications for us all.

Beginning efforts are underway to plan (if such a verb applicable) for such an event. U-61 nursing personnel are keeping abreast of the developments in these discussions.

* Activity Survey
Laura took us through a synopsis of the staff feedback on suggestions for increasing vigorous daily exercise. SHAC discussed various avenues for carrying out this action plan activity, and asked that the board’s “Student Success Committee” work with the administration to at least pilot a plan this year.

SHAC Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2008

Attendants: Karen Atkins, Susan Barnard, Beth Campo, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Natalie Hamblin, Nina Hansen, Ry Hoffman, Al Kaiman, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Courtney Pletzer, Ted Riggen

A. Review of April minutes
a. Patty approved, Susan seconded

B. Announcements:

a. Tobacco/EPSDT Grants (Tanya)

Tobacco Grant: the grant was submitted May 1st. It has general targets, including Life Skills Training for next year. The grant will be coordinated by the Supervisory Union next year (Dawn Poitras will be doing this). Tanya reported that the grant is for $26,000+ and it has gained initial approval from the School Board
EPSDT: funding has decreased ($80,000 for this year). Tanya reported that last year a lot of money used from Barre Town was for programs such as before-and after-school programs and home-to-school program. Tanya said money for home-school coordinator may have to be reduced because of decreased funding. Susan suggested some of that money go to help pay for a SHAC coordinator, but Tanya and Ted agreed there won’t be enough money to accomplish that.

b. Bike to School (Kathy)

Program happens on Tuesdays (starts next week) and is offered to 3rd and 4th graders. Students bike from Rock of Ages to school. The deadline for students to sign up is this Friday. So far, only 2 students have signed up.

c. Bike Fleet Update (Susan):

Phil Joyal worked with two bike mechanics from 10am – 5pm on a Saturday over spring vacation. Phil learned how to take care of the fleet of bikes so he can make repairs instead of calling/hiring someone to fix them. The two mechanics want to come spend a day riding with the kids. Susan explained that this will help sustain the program. Also, Susan reported that the Physical Education department purchased new high quality bike helmets (Susan said they got a good deal on them). Karen and Susan talked about the new bike racks. Susan asked Karen to speak with Carl Rogers to get bike racks where they belong. Patty shared that the visitor’s center in Barre City is considering having bike rentals and that New Directions has bike repair equipment in their basement. Also, Lynn Carson, of the Turning Point Recovery Center in Barre, received $1000 from IBM to train children to repair bikes.

d. Cleaning Chemical Audit (Tanya, Ted):

Charen Fegard held a chemical audit and air quality audit at Barre Town. The goal is to try to use products with the lowest chemical toxins that will still disinfect (she suggests Green Seal certified products). Charen met with Tanya, Steve, and others and shared that there were a few problems and suggested the school change over a few (5 or 6) products. Charen also mentioned that the school is doing well in certain areas. A written report will follow.

e. School Improvement Plan (Tanya):

This topic will be tabled because the state department position that deals with this (School Health Index) was cut. The committee said this is something to look at next year.

C. OLD BUSINESS:

a. Kitchen report: (Nina)

Nina reported that breakfast participation is up though lunch is still static. It seems they can’t get over 50% participation for lunch.
Maple Fest: The fest featured local potatoes, yogurt sundaes, glazed carrots and more. Nina reported it was very busy and it even received good press (Froggy interview with Kevin; Kevin featured in paper). The event also included a dedication of the art students’ mural (each piece is a compilation/composite of the “wall-of-fame” farm)
New kitchen signage arrived: Nina stated she was disappointed with the signage because she thought it would have pictures. They came from Department of Education (Children’s health) and were free. A suggestion arose that the kitchen staff write what farm the food came from in the blank space on the signs.
Iron Chef: team of Barre Town students did well. They were featured in the Burlington Free Press
Facilities: Waiting on notification of $3500 equipment grant.
Staff change: Rose was transferred
Price of food: school food program will not be affected by increasing food price, though there may not be quite as much variety. Nina also reminded the committee that the kitchen will try to use everything they have in stock as the year finishes out.
Last day of school has been labeled as “Chef Choice Day” though Kevin would like to plan something. Toward the end of the school year menu will probably be less specific (for example: “daily vegetable” instead of a specific vegetable)
Because of rising cost of food, and Abbey’s own effort at being both conservative and creative, it was suggested that the kitchen share their “tricks for ‘cheap’ cooking” in parent newsletter. Committee discussed how important it is to supply families with free and reduced applications because of recent economy and cost of living.

b. Union Elementary Snack Program (Patty)

Patty shadowed Theresa Murray-Clasen. Theresa runs the snack program at Union Elementary, and is a paid employee of Montpelier school system (part of the budget). Patty described the process which was also proved as a handout. Patty reported that Theresa said Union Elementary’s snack program is very successful and profitable. Patty and Theresa to have a follow-up meeting on financing the program.
Teachers use an excel spreadsheet to fill out what students want to eat for one or two weeks in advance. The school also uses this as an opportunity to get teachers more familiar with excel programs. There are many different options for snacks (fruit, cheese, yogurt, bagels).
Snack delivery: ‘Snack Fairies’ (parent volunteers) and ‘Junior Snack Fairies’ (children too young for parents to leave at home) deliver snacks to classrooms at 9:30. Snacks are left outside of classroom door until teachers are ready to get them.
There is also a snack cart that is available until 10am. Also, students can trade ‘bad’ snacks for a good snack. All snacks are charged to students’ accounts. Students who get breakfast under free and reduced are not eligible for snack, though there is a separate fund which was created to help these students.
Union Elementary snack serves 215 of 380 students. The committee discussed that Barre Town has triple the students and storage.
Patty suggested asking PTO for parent help to provide this snack service at Barre Town. Susan suggested having the Abbey Group look into providing Theresa’s position, though Nina stated they probably couldn’t afford it explaining that it’s important to increase lunch purchases to get more revenue. Nina stated that delivering snacks to the classroom would be a problem. The committee decided to start with the PTO for help. Also advertise for help/volunteers in the parent newsletter. Patty stated that Union Elementary is willing to share their ideas and excel program. The committee decided that if this program was to happen at Barre Town it would be limited to the elementary school. It was also suggested to use CSL students, Health/Family and Consumer Sciences students, the SNAC group for help. Laura suggested getting parents involved to help with development/community of school, and Patty suggested getting new parents/families involved would help supply ‘man-power’ and would help get families and younger children (future students) comfortable with the school.
Next step: Patty will try to talk to PTO before end of school year

c. SNAC proposal (Ted):

Ted said they haven’t had an opportunity to discuss the idea of hot chocolate and students transporting of hot chocolate through building. This topic was tabled until the next meeting

d. Action Planning (Ted):

August 14-15 (Thursday and Friday). A team of people at Norwich University will look at student data and develop next year’s action plan. Ted stated that SHAC has always been involved in this effort and thinks they would benefit from having a few members of this committee present at Norwich. Ted explained that action planning was designed by Act 60 to discuss data and to provide a plan of action (improvement plan).
Susan stated #9 is part of what SHAC does, Tanya says #8 too
The committee discussed what data can be used. This list includes Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) which is completed every two years. There will be no new YRBS data this year, but it can still be discussed and used for action planning. Critical Incident Report (CIR) was not done prior to last year, and the data could be looked at for this year. Body Mass Index (BMI) data tells us which students are at risk for overweight and obesity. Ry stated that Peer-Mediation program may not be able to supply much data this year. Laura suggested that a study of the school day to assess the number of instructional minutes used everyday, though Ted said that type of data is assessment-based, so it could not be used for action planning.
SHAC members should speak with Ted if willing/interested in attending action planning
An action planning item from last year was the adoption of a k-8 health curriculum. Because Paul Moccia thinks it needs to be a district-wide curriculum, Barre Town stepped back from adopting what they did last year.

e. Pandemic Flu (Ted and Tanya)

Ted and Tanya went to a meeting sponsored by the Department of Health concerning pandemic flu. Ted said this is a very real threat and stated that he will present it at a different time (possible the June or September meeting). Ted did not want to use this opportunity to discuss this topic in-depth, but rather wanted to make SHAC members aware of this topic and ask them to look for information and resources available. Ted will meet with Shannon Lessley to discuss things the school can do on a regular basis that will help resist level 5 pandemic flu. This is a topic to discuss with the older students, but not the younger students. Ted stated he will plan to present on this topic at the next meeting and will provide the information sheet he was given.
Susan thought this should be an action planning item.

D. “Community Classroom” (Al)

Al reported on an idea he developed based on a program he participated in at his hometown high school.
Community classroom would provide the community with ‘classes’ on a wide variety of subjects/topics. Al stated that this program would allow the community to look at the school as a center for growth and learning, and families would view school is a positive way. Al added that community classroom can support many initiatives (for example: many of SHAC’s programs could be ‘tested’ through community classroom).
Examples of topics that could be included in program: working with your student on homework issues or writing reports, bullying, cooking, hobbies, etc. Al added that some of the same topics are covered in Health/Family and Consumer Sciences, and that Sarah may find information or resources that could be used in community classroom.
Ted added information on a program he was aware of from Illinois county parks. This program included macramé, cooking, ham-operating.
Patty mentioned cost concerns should be discussed
Susan recalled a similar adult education program called Creative Education. That program charged participants for classes on computers, digital cameras, quilting, etc.
Laura suggested using the many local talents and resources available in the area.
Al stated that a pilot session of 3 or 4 classes could be done, and if successful, possibly devoting 4 classes to one topic in the future.
Patty suggested surveying to obtain information on local interests. Al responded that he felt it is important to show everyone what the program is like, and once it is familiar; to then ask for their interests.
Patty also suggested that Al might ask Revell Allen to share her list of community mentors as a resource for teaching.

E. Ideas about Action Planning:

Susan suggested that a subcommittee be formed to prepare for action planning. It was decided that any people interested should contact Susan and Tanya
Data that should be discussed at this subcommittee meeting: YRBS, CIR, Abbey group- number of lunches and breakfasts

SHAC Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2008

Attendants: Susan Barnard, Beth Campo, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Natalie Hamblin, Nina Hansen, Cameo Lamb, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Kevin Otis, Ted Riggen

Review of March Minutes
1. Approved with the following corrections: Spelling of the names “Akins” & “Hansen”, and that the Iron Chef competition is at Champlain Valley Fairgrounds.
Introductions
Move to change agenda; kitchen news first due to scheduling.
Old News
1. Kitchen Report – Kevin Otis
  1. 11% for breakfast, lunch still 50%, VT menu day, 53% one of the best. Taste Test.
  2. Local purchasing last month included $53 on eggs, beans, apples, kim chee, and salad mix.
  3. Attended FEED panel, discussed farm networking and kitchen garden.
  4. Will add a “pizza garden” to the kitchen garden, including; basil, peppers, tomatoes, etc.
  5. Child Nutrition Program will be giving out free signs for local produce that will be hung in café.
  6. Other signs will designate Taste Tested items, such as beet black bean corn salad, and The Harvest Soup winning “Stone Soup”
  7. Kitchen staff trainings on use of the immersion blender and the recipe for homemade pizza sauce occurred.
  8. Iron Chef contest will feature recipes for stone soup and spinach salad.
  9. Freezer/ice machine, and steam kettle are out for repairs, thermometer for freezer are getting upgraded.
  10. Planned for April 17 is a Maple Celebration featuring local sugarers, Mayor Tom Lauzon, and Taste Testing maple granola/yogurt and glazed carrots. “Bump,” the Frost Heaves mascot, Channels 3 & 5, and the Times-Argus have also been invited. The emphasis is local produce and Vermont’s maple season.
2. Farm to School committee will link with Teresa Murry-Claussen mtme@verizon.net from the Union Elementary School Montpelier snack program to get information.
3. SNAC committee – Cameo Lamb
  1. Five 8th graders (including Taylor Molander, Shane Safford, Cameo Lamb, and Chelsea Ciampi, Katherine Gagne) formed a student nutrition board to help improve meals at the school.
  2. Reviewed idea of bringing food including hot chocolate to class room TA. Concern with hot chocolate spilling. Utilizing lids, and getting the beverage after going to locker will decrease spillage.
  3. Other breakfast ideas that have been shared with Nina Hansen and Kevin Otis include; fruit & yogurt smoothies (which were a hit at the student international fair), and chocolate chip muffins. SNAC feels these choices provide for a healthy and balanced menu.
  4. Lunch ideas include baked salted/unsalted pretzels with cheese sauce, ketchup/mustard.
  5. SNAC members are willing to help in kitchen if needed.
  6. Feedback for the SNAC committee include having a healthy base, such as banana for chocolate muffins, concerns about hot chocolate with the waste of lids, meshing with the nutrition policy (alternative might be hot apple cider), and recent published news article discussing concerns about children and chocolate.
  7. Idea of having breakfast menu and hot drink in cafeteria rather that upstairs. This would mean we need a cafeteria monitor.
  8. Cameo will take info discussed and report to SNAC.
4. Further discussion on having children sit to eat breakfast. This would require supervision, opening breakfast earlier and allowing students to arrive earlier. An alternative idea would be a snack cart upstairs.
Written report – Patty Meriam
1. Farm to school recommendations
  1. Several meetings rendered additional points, now reformatted to focus points.
  2. List of topics for monthly Abbey report was recommended by Tim Crowley.
  3. Investigating healthier vending machine items sparked realization that amount of revenue from existing vending machine is unknown. Audit on this was requested.
Announcements
1. Safe Routes to School – Karen Akins
  1. Spring activities include receiving the bike/pedestrian safety curriculum license.
  2. New bike racks are in place.
  3. Ride to School and Back Club, with Kathy Lord, starting mid May to June 17th. Permission slips are pending.
  4. $580 of grant money is left.
    1. Can purchase new bikes or perform maintenance with this $.
    2. Other ideas for this money are a Barre Town open house for students at Millstone, or purchasing unicycles.
    3. This to be decided with PE on Wed 4/9 by Tim Crowley and Phil Joyal.
    4. Safe Route to School Action plan may be a resource for further school planning. Karen will provide copy.
    5. Further questions can be answered through regional manager and town.
  5. School Chemical Audit – Laura Moore
    1. Met with Charen Fegard from CV Solid Waste Management. Board okayed audit.
    2. Audit will occur during spring break.
    3. Review of recommendations will occur after break with Steve Murray, Tim Crowley, Ted Riggen, and Tanya Crawford-Stempel. The ensuing report will be brought to SHAC and the school board.
  6. Community Classroom – Laura Moore/Tanya Crawford-Stempel
    1. Al Kaiman proposing professional development idea for next year.
    2. Goal to offer health education to community. The three class or class series for parents and community members will be held on health topics in the evenings at the school.
    3. Will report at next SHAC
  7. Grant for Kitchen Improvements – Beth Campo
    1. Proposed 2 salad bar units which will double current capability. Grant is up to $3500 with a match. BTMES already has the match in its facility budget.
    2. Grant will be presented to the board next session, in its revised version, although the preliminary version was already approved.
    3. We will be notified on May 1 if we received the grant.
  8. School Improvement Plan – Tanya Crawford-Stempel
    1. Recently learned of a program through the Department of Education to conduct the School Health Index (SHI), an audit of health and safety in schools created by the Center for Disease control. Facilitators assist schools in completing their SHI and create a school improvements plan with timeline.
    2. Participation in this program might help give direction for SHAC next year.
    3. Tanya will investigate more into this program.
  9. Action Planning – Ted Riggen
    1. This summer’s planning will be on August 14 &15 at Norwich University.
    2. Any ideas for Action Planning may be presented at the next SHAC meeting. These ideas must be data driven.
  10. Sewing Class
    1. Suzie Klinfelter, and Lorrette Allard are leading this class which is going well. It is funded by EPSDT.
  11. Tobacco Grant – Tanya Crawford-Stempel
    1. Ideas for next years Tobacco Grant, and spend remaining funds from this year may be proposed at the next SHAC meeting.
2. Water Report – Ted Riggen
  1. Review conducted of state tests for town water concludes that school water is safe to drink - not “pure” but is drinkable. Laura to review report.
  2. Contaminants occur as products of chlorination
  3. Water is tested monthly, on a rotating schedule.
  4. Barre City is the source for the school’s water.
3. Maple Celebration
  1. April 17th will bring the Maple Celebration, combining a Taste Test, unveiling of the lunchroom mural, and celebration of local sugarers.
  2. Some focus will be on white versus maple sugar, looking at maple syrup as a healthy sweetener. Several non-dessert recipes featuring maple syrup will be distributed.
  3. Mayor Tom Lauzon will be here, as well as some press.
  4. Sue Wells will do classroom presentations on sugaring.
  5. Ann Leeds is constructing a maple tree statue with some volunteer students for a display.
  6. This tree can stay up year round to celebrate other seasons, such as apple picking in the fall.

SHAC Meeting Minutes
March 10, 2008

Mission Statement: “The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) implements programs and policies that provide students, parents, staff, and community with the knowledge and skills to make life-long and sustainable healthful choices.”

Attendance: Susan Barnard, Beth Campo, Tanya Crawford -Stempel, Natalie Hamblin, Shannon Leslie, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Laura Moore, Linda Seal, Kevin Otis, Nina Hansen, Gretchen Casey.
Secretary: Susan Barnard

Review of the February Minutes: Correction of Ian Miyashiro. Patty Meriam will edit in Times New Roman font. Patty Meriam moved the minutes be approved, with Beth Campo seconded the motion.

A written report was given on taste testing by Tanya. “Beans! Glorious Beans!” The report talked about a black bean and corn salad. It is easy to make, and lots of protein. At least half of the children in grade K-5 liked the bean salad. Sue Wells, parent, helps with the classroom tutorial and gives children hands on look at foods in a variety of forms.

A suggestion was reported by Tanya that parent and Crops-by- Kids coordinator, Bryn Mayr write articles about the Farm-to- School grant, and Crops by Kids. These articles can be submitted to the Times Argus. All present thought this was a great idea for public relations for our school. All press releases will be through Dr. Ted Riggen first. Photo’s can also be released, but need to go through Dr. Riggen first.

Cooking for Life: Nancy Pope will carry out the nutritionist duties for the Cooking for life program. She will be paid by the UVM extension service and Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. She will work with Heather Herzig and Chef Kevin Otis who will also be getting a stipend. A group of students are now being asked to join this group.

Safe Routes To School It is hoped that an early morning bike to school group be organized for students in grades 3 and 4. Kathy Lord is willing to do this. Karen Akins and Kathy will be in touch about this.

Environmentally-Safe Cleaning: Patty Meriam followed up on a suggestion by Laura Moore to find out what support is available for an environmental assessment. Patty Spoke with Charen Fegard, Environmental Health Programs Manager for the Association of Vermont Recyclers. They will do a free assessment and report for our school. Charen is willing to come speak first about the program she and how it works It was suggested that the speaker go directly to the Facilities Committee and speak. Laura Moore will communicate with Bill Kirkland, chair of Facilities, about the appropriate time to come to this meeting. It was noted that facilities will meet on March 19th at 4:30. A written report will come to SHAC and the Facilities Committee after the speaker makes her presentation.

Crops By Kids Fundraiser: Students in grades K-4 have been bringing in their money for the garden seed fundraiser. (783 seed packs) It has been very successful. Jesse Shapiro, a teacher, has been in charge. This is the first time for such a fundraiser. It will help pay for some of the Crops-by-Kids expenses. The sale was reported to be very successful.

Shannon Leslie spoke about getting Life Science, grade 7, more involved in the Crops by Kids. Mr. Tim Crowley, Shannon Leslie, and Bryn Mayr have been involved in bringing the interest of our garden to our middle school students. Middle School teachers are excited that we are talking about a greenhouse. A grant being written by Bryn Mayr, after school board approval, is being proposed. The grant is funded by National Life. Shannon Leslie will speak to Bryn and help her with the details of grant. Laura Moore spoke about why the school board would like to know about any grants. It is a policy that all grants go before the school board first before they are written.

Tobacco Grant Update: “Kids on the Block” will have performances for various grades on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. This event has been set up by Kathy Lord. It will be held in the large multi-purpose area.

Kitchen News: Beetnick cake and Student Nutrition Advisory Committee (SNAC) will be in the parent newsletter. Nina is meeting with a group of middle school students to get ideas on what kids like to eat that conforms to our nutrition policy. Hot chocolate was asked for, but people worried about the hot drink being carried upstairs.

The kitchen will do a big production on breakfast next week. Some suggestions were to try breakfast upstairs. Patty and Nina to meet 3/20 to review ideas and possibilities. Nina Hanson noted that we have increased our students’ participation in meals in the dining room to 51%. It was noted that the pizza has helped with the count of students eating in the dinning room, approximately 30 more a day.

FEED has asked Kevin Otis and Susan Barnard to serve on a panel at Vermont College on March 21st. They will talk about Barre Town’s success with the Farm-to-School Grant.

Iron Chef Contest: Kevin Otis is excited about working with the Barre Town students and entering this first-of-the- kind cooking contest. The contest will be held at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds. Twenty-four middle school teams have entered. The date for the event is April 12th. Our students will be judged on “Best of Show, Creativity, and using the most Vermont Products.” Special, “thank you” to Chef Kevin for stepping forward and doing this activity for our students. It was noted that having a real chef at Barre Town has made a big difference with all the interactions with our students.

Grant for Kitchen Improvement: Beth Campo and Chef Kevin Otis are working on this project. We are still waiting for school board approval before we go ahead with the submission of this grant. Maximum grant award is $3,500. We are asking for a refrigerated salad unit, refrigerated shelves that can be on rollers, and shelves for # 10 cans, and shelves in dish area. The date that the grant is due is April 4th. The grant is sponsored by the Vermont Dept. of Education and the Child Nutrition Act.

F2S recommentations. Patty reviewed the 21 recommendations made to the School Board, Abbey Group, Facilities and SHAC. See attached list. Some these points impact the contract with Food Service Provider and the business office. Major points include

better communication between the business office, Facilities, Administration, and SHAC regarding issues in the Kitchen and Cafeteria.
maintenance of kitchen equipment and budgeting for future needs.
SHAC will need to collaborate with teachers and Shannon to develop curriculum that supports the healthy and local foods initiative.
Patty and Nina to meet and discuss Snack Cart and second floor breakfast cart idea.
Patty to meet with Tim Crowley 3/17 to review 21 recommendations.

Other discussion was about the recent beef recall in our school on January 30th. We did have the beef in our freezer. It was noted that it was not fed to our students. The ten cases of beef were disposed of, (total of 400 pounds.)

Ideas of a recipe book and a recipe/picture/calendar for a fundraiser was mentioned.

Patty will identify what should come up next for the agenda concerning the Farm-to-School grant and the 21 points.

Wellness day: Tanya reported that Spaulding and Barre City do a wellness day each year. Sarah Chap and Tanya hope to go and visit to see how they set this up. It was thought that such a wellness day for students and staff could be planned in the early fall. Planning for the proper space and time of the year is very important. It was suggested that just before NECAP might be an idea. Patty announced that in April 23-26 is the Rotary Home Show and Health Fair. The CV Coalition for Health helps out with the Health Fair portion. Patty also reported that CVMC has a representative from Community Relations, Susan Kruthers who might be interested in participating. Patty to follow-up. It was suggested that our students and their families would also benefit from attending this community activity. It was also noted that special instructions need to be communicated to help the staff prepare for this event with their students. (For example, how do students visit each booth in a constructive way, and not think it is just free time.)

BMI data was presented by Tanya. It was noted that CDC has renamed this data, “At risk for overweight” and “Overweight”. The use of the word “obese” has been dropped from the school determined categories. The Department of Education has suggested using data as a group chart, rather than identifying individual students. Tanya and the physical education department collect the data by weighing and measuring each child. A discussion followed concerning how to get this BMI information out to our community as well as to area doctors. Patty Meriam suggested contacts at CVMC or the Vermont Health Collation might help coordinate and communicate this BMI data to the community. Patty will give Tanya more information. There are all kinds of reasons why some children may be in the overweight zone. It was noted that students start to spike high BMI’s generally between 5th and 6th grade. Laura Moore stated homework spikes at this time also.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:10.

Old Business: Ted Riggen to report on his bottled water research at next meeting.

SHAC Meeting Monday February 4, 2008

Susan Barnard, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Kathy Lord, Nina Hansen, Kevin Otis, Patty Merriam, Ted Riggen, Laura Moore, Ry Hoffman, Paul Moccia, Sarah Chap, Beth Campo

Review of January 2008 minutes
1. approved minutes Patty/Ted
2. review of how to get notes on school website… send to Patty who edits and then sends back to chair, Tanya. Tanya to forward to Ted and Teija for posting on web.
Comments on F2S State House Written Report (Susan)
1. Susan, Jesse, Kevin, Nina, Sarah went to State House to present what was done with F2S grant money at BT; 4 ideas came back with them:
  1. grow rhubarb (perennial) in the garden and use in the kitchen... can also be used as a taste testing ingredient;
  2. create a 12 month calendar for sale which will use pictures of students doing taste testing and garden work, and taste testing recipes- Susan has already talked to Teresa MacAdams of the parent organization, and Shannon Lessley- this can be used as a small fundraiser to sell to parents;
  3. apples: “apple festival,” in October. It may include how to make apple cider, applesauce in cafeteria, apple type taste testing, etc. Patty to include school event in the “Scary Barre: A Harvest Celebration” program she coordinates in Barre.
    Susan thinks someone needs to be appointed to this to help ensure that it will happen. Laura reminded that many younger grades incorporate apples a lot into class; suggested that maybe those teachers could head it; also, using stories like Johnny Appleseed to tie in literacy. Patty suggested shrunken apple people in art class work. Ted will take leadership for apple week survey;
2. Iron Chef: Kevin has been in contact with a team of 5 students to compete in this contest and has gotten $100 from Tim… Abbey will provide chef hats and aprons and equipment;
3. table this item for next meeting
Announcement:
1. Sewing Class (Susan/Ry): 6 people with Lorrette Allard- Ry has recommended 10 students that would really benefit from this program;
2. Grant for kitchen equipment (Kevin): Beth and Kevin working on grant to purchase kitchen needs; $3500. Matching funds needed; will provide Tim with notes before it goes to School Board; can apply every 2 years
3. Cooking for Life (Sarah/Susan): Heather Herzig is running program for spring; Nancy Pope will be volunteering; Patty suggested Courtney Pletzer for nutritionist; Nina asked for stipend to be considered for Kevin- Susan will bring it up to Tim in her meeting with him tomorrow (Feb 5)
4. Moving for Fun (Ry/Susan)- Intervention program for students who scored low on Fitnessgram results; provides students with additional physical activity; Sue Yesalonia and Norwich University physical education students run the program; provided to Barre Town 5-8th graders; piece in next parent newsletter about it; Sue Yesalonia is getting her PhD with this and will be interviewing students about their feelings and experience; Laura suggested using data to see if there are correlation to academic performance.
5. Composting Position (Ted): Ian Miyasahiro from Central VT Solid Waste will help with composting for remainder of school year; Central VT Solid Waste pays him to be at BT from 10:45-1:30; Ted reports Ian is forming relationships with kids; started recycling more with his help - he is helping to recycle plastic cups used by cafeteria; Nina said Abbey is always looking to use recyclable materials and “compost-able” materials
Farm to School Grant Wrap-Up/Reflection (Patty/Susan): Susan and Patty wrote up the report and Jesse Shapiro edited and bulleted; this was the document they took to State House; Patty reported on the items/events the F2S grant helped create:
1. harvest soup contest/filmed winners on NE Cooks
2. Mary Dollenmaier met with other local schools
3. taste testing now a more constant group
4. chef as head of food kitchen at BT
5. Tim Kingzett report: how to make kitchen more efficient and safe- Tim submitted a report- some safety things needed to be addressed quickly; Patty met with facility committee
6. purchased equipment to in the preparation of food; rearranged kitchen to make things work better/smoother
7. Cooking for Life- getting local foods for CFL- purchased food and used to teach kids how to cook (low-income kids)
8. farm to table
9. Todd Murphy- lectures to 7th and 8th grade
10. PSTL students in August, September, and October- interviewed farmers and asked what their struggles were in owning and running a small farm- pictures and interviews will be framed and placed in cafeteria on display.
11. report to state with attachments and photos; written report to facilities; summary and thank you to abbey;
12. F2S will continue as a subcommittee of SHAC. Letter to Abbey includes list of 21 recommendations. Nina, Patty and Susan to review points; when discussion is finished, they will report to SHAC
13. Ted reported about an informational budget packet to be sent to homes in town of Barre regarding school improvements – Ted will send copies when its done (provides good ‘picture’ of how improvements have been made in terms of food, etc)
  
  NECI- institutional culinary chefs major; Laura suggested to try to reach out to NECI students to help out at BT to fulfill their internship requirements
  
  Susan- pointed out that money spent made ‘sustainable’ changes to the school and community
  Susan- State presentation showed that other schools did more hands on with students than we did. (Crops by Kids is a good example of using students… Apple Fest would be)… Susan wants to have students more involved in future – Patty suggested involving teachers more to get kids more involved; Nina added that other schools pay people to take kids out to farms
Back Pack Safety- Tanya
1. letter in parent newsletter;
2. idea of “awareness day” with scale in lobby for kids and parents to weigh bags;
3. Tanya would like get advice from chiropractors/doctors;
4. Tanya has noticed some girls carry bags with small straps and asked them to research ergonomic bags that are ‘cool.’
5. Patty suggested having math students involved with weighing or surveying; Laura & Patty mentioned that many students are bringing stuff home that they don’t necessarily need and this should be addressed somehow; Laura about collecting data unless there is a clear plan on how to use it.
6. Susan and Tanya asked for suggestions for people to run/coordinate this event: some suggested CSL; Ry added that CSL students who are escorting kids from cars to school in morning might be able to help; Patty will help get info from doctors, especially in terms of backpacks; get Onion River, Dicks Sporting, Thygesen’s, etc to get support, donating bags to raffle to students?
7. Tanya stated the solutions the above ideas would provide us/students/parents: solutions are awareness, ability to help students/families plan better, and help students stay more organized
Kitchen News (Nina/Kevin):
1. Nina and Kevin passed out menus from December and January with numbers of how many students got lunch each day…. Average of 50% buying school lunch. Whole wheat veggie pizza is now available every day – has increased lunch participation. Will soon provide different sandwiches to broaden variety; hot sandwiches, BLT, specialty subs, using leftovers, etc. Nina and Kevin feel they have gotten positive feedback, though some were skeptical about having pizza available – Kevin said he made those people aware that it was whole wheat crust, low-fat cheese, veggies (no sausage), also “disguising” veggies in sauce too.
2. Student Nutrition Advisory Council(SNAC)in the works (met with Tim… PSTL students?), students will ‘advise’ kitchen and provide feedback and ideas
3. Patty asked about a comment box in the kitchen… they do have one
4. Nina explained a promo idea to give to ‘brown-baggers’ a coupon: ‘let us make lunch for your child tomorrow’
5. Nina wants to work on breakfast program with SNAC student group… to work to reduce stigma- bring more revenue into program
6. healthy items to sell a la carte- Nina attended a workshop
7. 11% are on free/reduced, 18% are eligible… Nina says maybe they don’t know they are eligible
8. Nina provides other schools with an orientation for parents of new students to inform them about cafeteria info/promo; everyone agreed it would be great for Barre Town (even for 5-8th grade info night too)
9. Tanya suggested the kitchen write a note in the parent newsletter: Cook’s Corner… news from the kitchen
HEC (Paul): Still surveying and sorting data
1. Local action plan states the HEC is to be adopted by end of school year… may not meet goal but will have a draft of what it should look like. The main goal is to have a district K-12 coordinated health education curriculum
2. part of this survey was to acknowledge health curriculum in all grades in science, literacy, etc… Tanya added it is important to identify resources teachers are using, and telling other teachers about those resources
3. Paul told group he hopes to have results sorted out before February break. Ted said that SHAC will be informed when packet is ready
4. Paul added that recent in-service days were devoted to Youth Risk Behavior Survey to discuss data, interventions, and what is working well?
Laura added topic of USA Today article – using cleaning products in schools. What are kids exposed to and what are risks? Found correlations with asthma and even autism
Patty suggested that Wash. County Solid Waste did a program at Turtle Island School when her children were there. Patty to see if they have a program currently
Beth provides cleaning supply ‘recipes’ to parents

Next Meeting: 3/10/08

SHAC Minutes – 1/8/08

Kevin Otis, Sarah Chap, Beth Campo, Susan Barnard, Karen Akins, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Laura Moore, Paul Moccia, Kathy Lord, Nina Hansen, Ry Hoffman, Ted Riggen, Shannon Lessley

Review of November 2007 minutes –
1. Note – SHAC Coordinator position is on hold for this academic year.
2. The Facilities meeting was not held on December 17, 2007 – there are hopes of some SHAC representation (Patty) at the January 16 Board Meeting
3. Approved motion Beth/second Susan
Comments on Written Reports
1. Soup Contest/TV Show – Susan mentioned to Sarah that the recipes used for the soup contest need to be provided to Kevin Otis. Sarah said she would provide Kevin with those recipes.
2. The Cooking for Life program has completed its first session. There will be a new session this spring – we are hoping that EPSDT monies will pay for the supervisor’s position.
Announcements –
1. HEC Liaison Position – This position is being split between Kathy Lord, who is handling the Tobacco portion, and Beth Campo, who’s emphasis is on health education curriculum. Kathy Lord will be setting up a table at Dabble Day in February. There are some materials that Kathy has provided to Sarah Chap, which has been displayed in her classroom. There needs to be a 2nd public presentation of Smoking Cessation, hopefully at the Bike Rally later this year. A PreK-12 health ed curriculum is being explored between the three schools.
  1. There is a Health survey to be presented at tomorrow’s Staff Meeting. We have also been buying books to build a library to help with Health Education. Some of those books are in kindergarten classrooms and other areas in the school.
  2. Kathy Lord and Rob Raynsford are planning to have “Kids on the Block” come to do a presentation for the elementary students – hopefully in March.
2. Yoga for Students – There will be a district-wide in-service for Physical Educators to start talking about ways to bring Yoga instruction to the students at BTMES. Ted recommends that the Curriculum and Instruction Committee be involved in the inclusion of Yoga in Phys. Ed. Curriculum. Susan asked that the Physical Education instructors be allowed to attend this conference/training prior to bringing it to Curriculum and Instruction.
3. Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger – Cooking for Life – 14 kids graduated from the program – Heather Herzig will be the supervisor/representative from BTMES. This will be for a new group of 6th Grade Students in the spring.
Old Business –
1. New Milk Containers and Bottled Water in Vending Machine – Nina & Kevin
  1. There is a new push to start carrying 10 ounce bottles of milk instead of the 8 ounce milk containers that are presently being served.
  2. There are some pros and cons about the program. An increased cost to meal plans is one con.
  3. Ted believes that there is a lot of liquid waste at this time, and an increased amount of milk could potentially create more waste. A change from the non-recyclable bottle to a plastic, recyclable bottle could be an attractive change.
  4. We presently use Hood Milk Products, which is rBGH free.
  5. In terms of water, Dasani is not the only choice from Coke Products – Evian water is also a Coca-cola product. Evian is a more expensive option (an additional 30 cents/bottle).
    1. Laura researched the option of contracting with Vermont Pure water for a Water Cooler and 5 Gallon bottles. Generally the cost would be $9/bottle, but with our volume (est. 5 bottles/day), the cost would be $5/bottle. They would come in every 2 weeks, to help eliminate storage issues.
    2. Vermont Pure Water is distributed through Pepsi-cola, which cannot then be carried in our Coca-cola Vending Machine.
    3. We could also purchase our own Vending Machine, where we could then put whatever products we wanted in it.
    4. The issue is tabled at this time.
New Business –
1. Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data – Ry
  1. Tanya and Ry worked last year to analyze 2001, 2003, and 2005 YRBS results at BTMES to look at trends and to put together an Action Plan item for last summer. Since that time, the 2007 YRBS results have arrived, and that data has been added to the prior compilation of results. These reports have been provided to the administrators, and discussions have begun around resources that could be used toward these trends.
  2. Ry, Paul, Kasey Potter, and Dawn Poitras sat down earlier today to start speaking about the trends here at BTMES and to begin discussing wrapping similar needed services between our district-wide schools, and to look at what our current services are providing, and what can be improved upon/added onto.
  3. Paul and Ry are meeting on Friday to discuss an agenda for January 21st Staff Development Day, where nurses, counselors, and others will start to look at this data.
2. Backpack Safety – Tanya
  1. Tanya researched the amount of weight that is recommended for children to carry in their backpacks. The recommendation is that the weight of the backpack should be no more than 15% of the student’s body weight.
  2. There was a thought at our last meeting that wheeled backpacks would be a better idea for the physical health of our students. The bus drivers were asked what observations they have made in regards to different backpacks that students use. The drivers observe that students wear backpacks that are too big for their physical frames, and that some students, when walking through the bus aisles, hit other seated students unintentionally on their way to the exit. The wheeled backpacks, though, present similar problems, as the students fail to lower the handle before sitting down in the seat, and end up hitting their heads on the plastic handle.
3. Healthy Heart Month – Karen presented this:
  1. Karen spoke of a small school where she works, where they have done a fundraiser called Healthy Heart Month. Teachers wore pedometers every day during the month of February. Instead of giving Valentine’s Day candy, the kids sponsored a teacher per “x” steps to equal “x” dollars. It raised a lot for money in this small school, eliminated candy being exchanged in school, and provided positive role modeling to its students. The idea behind this proposal is that if this were adopted at BTMES, the monies earned could go toward the Bike Program.
  2. Ted recommends that, because this is a fund-raising idea, this go before administrators first.
  3. Susan voiced her concerns about adding “one more thing” to the teacher’s current roles and responsibilities.
4. Food Stuff –
  1. Our Meal Menu numbers are below the State average. The problem is mostly in the Middle School. There is thought to eliminate the Express Menu, and instead, adding other options so that we can increase our numbers of participants.
  2. We will pilot a program between now and our next SHAC meeting to analyze interest of this Express menu.
  3. Nina will try to meet with Tim Crowley in the meantime to discuss some ideas, and we will discuss this issue at our next SHAC meeting.

SHAC Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2007

Attendants: Karen Atkins, Susan Barnard, Beth Campo, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Kevin Otis, Sarah Chap, Nina Hansen, Kathy Lord, Ted Riggen, Laura Moore

1. Review of the minutes from the last meeting, May 7, 2007.

Page 3C: Money from the Safe Routes to School will be put in the bike fund to pay for projects with the bike program. ($400.) Susan Barnard is in charge of this.
Dasani: Water discussion, more research will be done on this situation of this product containing additives. Carolyn Appleton will be asked to help with more research about this.
Minutes from May 7th were approved by Susan Barnard and seconded by Beth Campo.

2. The secretary position will be rotated. Kathy Lord and Susan Barnard shared in the duties for these minutes.

3. Review of the organization of SHAC: Susan Barnard

SHAC has existed for over ten years and was founded after a strategic planning initiative by Superintendent Jack Barnes. SHAC meets once a month and oversees several taskforces involved with school and community health.
We have the following subcommittees under our umbrella: Crops By Kids, Safe Routes to School (grant ending in June ‘08), Farm to School, (grant ending at the end of Dec ‘07), Taste Testing, Physical Education Fitnessgram testing data, Action Plan items, Peer Mediation, Composting, Cooking for Life (new this fall, under Sarah Chap), Wellness Policy.

4. District School Health Coordinator position: Tanya Crawford-Stempel

EPSDT money will fund this position.
Two representatives from each school will sit on the interview panel for this position. Presently, Susan Barnard will be on the interview panel, leaving one other vacancy. Anyone interested can inform Susan Barnard .
The interviews will be conducted in a couple of weeks.

5. Action Plans Items for Healthy Schools: Dr. Ted Riggen

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS); we now have the 2007 data. The counseling and discipline staff along with Mr. Crowley will review the data from this tool, along with Critical Incident Reporting System (CIRS).
Adopt a K-8 health education curriculum.
Expand the Health/Family Consumer Science Counseling program to include topics such as personal safety, depression risk, media literacy, alcohol risk, violence, nutrition, and activity level.
Increase fitness options available to students in grades 3-8 during recess and after school.
The 6th-8th grades Health and Family Consumer Science program will analyze Fitnessgram reports and will assist students in developing personal fitness plans based on their own data.
After-school interventions will be offered to students who have passed 2 or fewer Fitnessgram tests.
It was noted that Susan Barnard is looking into a “walk-run” club to take place during recess for third and fourth graders. This has been done in years past for grade three, but we wanted to expand it to also include grade four. EPST money could facilitate the financial support needed.

6. Abbey Group Report: Nina Hansen & Kevin Otis

Nina Hanson, a district manager for the Abbey group introduced Chef Kevin Otis. He is a graduate from the New England Culinary Institute, with experience as a Chef in different positions around the area. We are very pleased to welcome him aboard.
Abbey Group presented a nutrition activity that they would like to introduce to grade four students. “You Are What You Eat”. No action was taken on this.
Chef Kevin presented on the Culinary Summer Institute that was held at Barre Town School, and was sponsored by Vermont FEED . Many cooks from schools across the state attended. Kevin was the head chef at this event. The hope is that Barre Town School will host this event annually.
It was noted that Kevin has used Swiss chard, lettuce, and tomatoes from our Crops By Kids garden.
We hope to purchase a display case from the Farm to School grant money to display locally grown goods that we are using in our dining room.

6. Title IV, Tobacco Grant Money Tanya Crawford-Stempel

Surplus money recently discovered in the district has been spent in the following ways:
Purchase of exercise equipment for Health and Family and Consumer Science Classroom
Anti-Bullying workshops for grades 4-8
Know Your Body Health Curriculum; the purchase of more modules, and Kindergarten health books,
Oxygen saturation/heart-rate monitors,
Lung display for Health and Family and Consumer Science & physical education classes.

7. Cooking For Life: Sarah Chap

This program is for sixth grade students.
It is sponsored by the University of Vermont Extension Service and Vermont Coalition to End Childhood Hunger.
Participants attend an after-school class two hours, one day a week, for six weeks.
Components of this program include lessons on how to cook, nutrition, and provision of a bag of groceries for students to take home and replicate the recipe they learned in class for their families.
Chef Kevin will help Sarah Chap, plus leadership will come form the UVM Extension Service.
It is hoped to use as many locally grown products as possible as well as LACE.

8. Farm To School Grant – Susan Barnard

This grant of approximately $10, 800 is facilitated by Mary Dollenmaier
Spending of this grant includes; $250 on a salad spinner, $900 on a vegetable cutter, and $2,000 on the investigation of Farm to School products and research on what other schools are doing.
A detailed report is found in the September Parent Newsletter.
Posters are being made for the dining room from a Community Service Learning Project to show what local farmers are producing for our kitchen.
A Big Harvest Soup Contest for students in grade 8 is scheduled. It will be televised during Tony Campo’s television program. Sarah Chap and Heather Herzig (librarian) are heading this up.

A report was received from Chef Tim Kingzett on how to increase our kitchen efficiency and improve our layout. This report is now under administrative review.

9. Crops By Kids: -Susan Barnard

Discussed making a bird-feeding station out of all our sunflowers.
Garden is going to be put to bed on Oct. 11th with the help of the Norwich University Physical Education majors and grade one children.
Cherry tomatoes, Swiss chard, and lettuce were brought from the garden to our new Chef to be used in the dining room.
Sunflowers from the garden were used for a Kindergarten science project.

10. Taste Testing: -Tanya Crawford-Stempel

The first meeting of the year will be on Oct. 12th. Chef Kevin will participate on this committee. Tanya Crawford-Stempel will be chairman.
Farm to School Grant money will be used.
The group is wanting to have a display case to show off what they are “taste testing” for the day.

11. Peer Mediation: Beth Campo from a report by Ry Hoffman and Rob Raynsford

A training for grade four participants will be held at the Aldrich Library on Oct. 26th.
Peer mediation will be comprised of three participants from each of the fourth grade classrooms.
Fifth grade students will be the same as last year, if they want to be part of this group.
Dana Carry will be the instructor, the same as last year.

12. Safe Routes to School: Karen Akins (Vermont Department of Transportation)

Handed out a draft of the sidewalk proposal for around our school, connecting to the bike path.
$1,500 for this year to be spent.
It was noted that this sidewalk project should go before the facilities committee.
Karen has scheduled a meeting with the Physical Education Staff regarding other initiatives.

SHAC will meet on the following Mondays: Our meetings are always open to the public.

Nov. 5th
Dec. 3rd
Jan. 7th
Feb. 4th
March 10
April 7
May 5

SHAC Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2007

Attendants: Karen Akins, Susan Barnard, Beth Campo, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Karen Davenport, Ted Riggen.

Review of minutes
1. Susan will check on the spelling of “Fitnessgram.” Minutes approved contingent on this spelling.
New Business – Ted
1. The School-Board-approved Wellness Policy was presented to SHAC committee members.
2. Position Changes
  1. Two positions are becoming vacant at BTMES next year: Family and Consumer Science (F&CS), and Tech Ed.
  2. Administrators are discussing incorporating more health education into the F&CS position.
  3. Tech Ed position may include more instruction in computer technology.
  4. Quality instruction for both F&CS and Tech Ed, as outlined in the Vermont Standards, will be maintained.
3. Water Sales – Beth, Karen
  1. The Abbey Group has presented another Coca Cola drink option for the cafeteria vending machines called “Wild Water;” a “naturally sweetened” vitamin-enriched drink.
    1. Discussion around whether this is a product BTMES should add occurred. Ingredient lists, and dietary information was distributed.
    2. A suggestion was made of forming a subcommittee for further investigation; possibly including Courtney Pletzer, Sue Johannsen, and Meaghan Kane.
  2. Concerns were raised with Dasani water containing additives, and a recent article regarding this brand water containing unsafe levels of an additive in European distribution. Discussion about whether BTMES should continue to carry Dasani water ensued.
  3. The vending machine is a Coca Cola machine, and needs to sell at least one Coca Cola product. The only current Coca Cola product in the machine is Dasani water. If this were to be removed, another Coca Cola product would need to take its place for BTMES to keep the machine.
Safe Routes to School – Karen
1. Seven students will participate in the ride-to-school program starting 5/8. Kathy Lord had a family emergency so Karen Akins, along with other parental supports, will run the program for now.
  1. School policy requires a criminal background check on Karen is underway. Other safety measures, such as carrying a first aid kit and cell phone, will be covered.
  2. Other activities for when students arrive at school, such as a “slow race”, will be included in the weekly events.
2. Karen will form a subcommittee to plan for next year.
  1. Members will include Susan Barnard, Kathy Lord, and Tim Crowley. Others are welcome.
  2. Connecting Barre Town sidewalk with the school’s will be a priority for next year’s grant.
  3. Some program ideas for next year are an in-school walking program, and Phil Joyal’s Bike Club.
3. Money left over from this year’s grant will be distributed to the BTMES coordinators to fund remaining program items as they see fit.
4. Funding for bike racks and other items has a deadline of June 15th.
5. Karen heard a parent’s concern about bus fumes coming into the school lobby from the parked and idling buses at the front doors. Ted suggested that this needs to be brought before the Policy Committee, as several schools are creating “no idling” policies.
Action Plan 2007-2008 – Ted, Susan
1. Action Planning meeting for 2007-2008 will be held on August 13 and 14, 2007 at Norwich University.
2. Ted presented on formulation of action plan items based on data and guided by the Vermont Standards.
3. Data gleaned from a variety of sources can help craft action plan items, including; the Fitnessgrams, YRBS data from 2005, BMI, and Safe Routes to School survey info.
4. Ry and Tanya will review the 2005 YRSB data to formulate action plan items.
5. Susan Yacilonia could be invited to present data on her work with Fitnessgram intervention programs.
6. Due date for proposals for action plan items is June 1.
Farm-To-School Grant Update - Susan
1. Mr. Kingzett, a professional chef, will look at the current kitchen design with Steve, Scott, and Karen. He will offer suggestions and collaborate with this team to make the kitchen more efficient.
2. A timeline for project completion was formulated.
Vetoed item suggesting June meeting due to time constraints by committee members. Subcommittees can continue to meet as needed.

Crops for Kids Report, May, 2007 by Susan Barnard

The Antique Road Show as very successful. We gained over $350 from this event.
The Flat Bread sales are very successful and the final bread sale will happen soon.
The cold frames are here, two will be placed out front by the flag and two in the garden area.
We have also purchased a shed for storage of gloves and hand tools.
A great deal of talk has been raised about moving the garden to this side of the road, but at this point, we are keeping it where it is.
Bryn Mayr is an outstanding leader in the Crops for Kids. Two teachers who are very active are Ellen Sulek and Phyllis Wiggins. In addition, Paul Moccia, Jean Danielle have been strong supporters of our garden and helped in many areas.
Classrooms are growing plants to be placed out in the garden.
The Crops for Kids are looking for summer watering families or individuals. All who would like to help, please contact Susan Barnard and she will get your name to the right person.

Taste Test Update

Our April Taste Test of “Jump, Hop and Spring Salad” featured spinach, mandarin oranges, and a raspberry vinaigrette. This light and healthy salad was a hit with kids and is packed with vital nutrients. Preliminary results of the survey say kids loved it!

We are looking forward to our next Taste Test on May 17th, which will be something a little different! Just in time for summer, we will be serving fruit juice spritzers. Students will be provided with nutritional and cost comparison information between this healthy drink, and other summer time quenchers.

At the end of May, we will be utilizing the folding bulletin boards in the lobby for a giant taste test display. Anyone interested in helping with this project is welcome! Please contact Tanya at tstembte@u61.net.

Farm to School Report by Patty Meriam

Patty Meriam and Mary Dollenmaier met on May 3. The entire program and dates were reviewed again. A final timeline and reporting schedule was set. The contract was finalized, which stipulates what has to be completed for each pay period. Each pay period stipulates that a written report must be given to Susan Barnard before payment can be released. Many signed the contract

In the next month:

Mary will be purchasing the salad spinner.
Todd Murphy will spend May 21st at BTMES lecturing to all of Meaghan Kane’s classes.
Todd will also be meeting with Mary and Patty that day to review the equipment list and kitchen layout.
Patty and Mary will be meeting with Heather Herzig on the 21st to discuss her helping with menu review and to discuss again the ideas of the student cooking contest.
May 14 Patty will be meeting with Tony Campos to schedule the Cooking Show demonstration.

Peer Mediation – MS Program
Rob Raynsford

The Peer Mediation program in the middle school is going through a bit of a struggle right now. The Peer Mediators in the last month and a half have gone into each of the fifth and sixth grade classrooms and have done a brief presentation; including a question and answer session for all of the students. Since that presentation, there has only been one referral. Following the Gabe and Izzy “anti-bullying” assembly on May 17th, we will have another meeting for Peer Mediators to practice skills, talk about the program and its progress, and brainstorm ways to have the program be more utilized.

Having a great number of referrals from fourth grade students and teachers.

NEXT MEETING is Monday, October 1, 2007

Written updates from the following subcommittees were submitted:
Farm to School - Patty
Crops for Kids - Susan
Safe Routes to School - Karen and/or Kathy (bike piece)
Peer Mediation - Rob and Ry
Taste Testing - Tanya/Karen

SHAC Meeting Minutes
April 2, 2007

Attendants: Karen Akins, Susan Barnard, Beth Campo, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Phil Joyal, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, Rob Raynsford, Ted Riggen.

Introductions
Review of Minutes
1. Minutes accepted with a change of the word “dinner” to “diner.”
Tobacco Grant – Tanya
1. The 2007-2008 Tobacco Grant will be written and administered by Paul Moccia, Beth Campo, and Dawn Poitres.
2. The BTMES request list was submitted after a subcommittee agreed on items (see handout).
BMI – Phil and Tanya
1. This is a continuation of a discussion concerning how to simultaneously address the prevalent issues of childhood obesity, body image issues, and promotion of healthy eating habits.
2. BTMES Fitness Grams of physically fit/athletic students with high BMIs were presented (confidentiality preserved) to demonstrate how this measurement could be inaccurate.
3. The point was made that a BMI within “normal range “ does not necessarily suggest healthy eating habits or rule out disordered eating.
4. Discussion occurred on how presenting a number representing relative weight to adolescent and preadolescent students, such as BMI, may contribute to body image issues, and may not be best reported without qualifying information.
5. Discussed a community effort being formulated by the district elementary school nurses to involve local pediatricians, Vermont Department of Health representatives, Department of Education liaison, physical education teachers, and area nutritionist and dieticians to create a standardized model for referring students with BMIs over the 95 percentile. The goal would be to clarify the types of interventions available to better assist parents in receiving support.
Farm to School Grant – Patty, Susan
1. A timeline for grant activities has been set, which includes the following;
  1. Kitchen equipment review with Todd Murphy.
  2. Pictures of local farmers in cafeteria researched by CSL students.
  3. Incorporation of more local foods.
  4. Cookbook available at end of year.
  5. Resource for kitchen recipes
2. Library contact with Heather Herzig revealed that BTMES has more cookbooks than any other book category, 49.
  1. These books are also checked out at a higher frequency than any other books in the library.
  2. Ms. Herzig makes great effort to connect cooking with other scholastic related assignment with students.
  3. An annual activity of a student cooking contest was discussed in order to further encourage students exploring foods.
3. The school board has approved this grant.
  1. Ted suggests returning to the board with a report of activities.
  2. This may be incorporated into the grant’s own internal review process.
Health Education Committee (HEC) – Kathy, Tanya
1. Update of teachers concerns regarding implementing the Know Your Body (KYB) curriculum.
2. Kathy is currently mapping all K-8 health education lessons currently provided by classroom teachers and guest speakers.
  1. This map will help guide creation of a K-8 Health Education curricular overview.
  2. Areas of the grade expectations that need more frequent cycling or that are missing will be addressed with the KYB modules, or other tool.
3. Local Assessment of the Vermont Standards for health education will be addressed.
4. Puberty education, taught by Tanya, Kathy and Rob, will begin after the April break for grade 5 and will be expanded to include both girls and boys in grade 4. They will be using curriculum from the program, “Puberty the Wonder Years”, which is currently being used by Ms. Kane in grade 6.
Wellness Policy – Susan, Patty
1. Changes in the Wellness Policy from the Policy Committee include the following:
  1. Wording regarding recess changed to “should” from “shall.”
  2. Faculty and staff cannot retain students from recess repeatedly for more than 10 minutes.
  3. Recess will be offered daily, though students may choose other electives that occur during this time.
  4. 80 minutes for PE will be offered to students every week.
2. The Wellness Policy will be presented before the Board on 4/4/07, at 6:00 pm in library.
Safe Routes to School – Karen Akins
1. Parent surveys have been completed, and feedback is expected soon.
2. A meeting with the PTO resulted in a “Morning Milers” flyer, which includes FAQs.
  1. This club will leave once a week from the Rock of Ages.
    1. Permission to utilize the parking lot space will be sought.
    2. An alternate to this site is a side road near end of the path.
  2. Addressed questions about return trip after school.
  3. Helmets can go in Susan’s gym for storage during the school day.
  4. A phone tree system for cancellation due to inclement weather will be created.
3. A Bike Safety Fair is planned for May 5th here at Barre Town School. Free helmets will be offered to grade 4 students.
4. The grant requires attendance of a mandatory meeting from the school/town in order to receive money for bike racks, sidewalks, signs, etc. Carl Rogers will be attending.
  1. Contact will be made with school administrator/superintendent to discuss infrastructure concerns. Tim Crowley has been the contact thus far.
  2. Request to brainstorm other ideas for projects for this money.
Crops for Kids – Susan
1. A fund raising auction will be held on April 27, at BTMES.
2. Discussion of placement of garden is in progress.
3. Barre Beautiful will receive $400 from Crops By Kids for its assistance with the project.
After School Clubs/Activities – Susan
1. “Moving is Fun” is going well. This is a fitness gram intervention with 30 participants that is being lead in part by Norwich PE students.
2. Susan will check on Geo caching status.
Action Plan – Ted
1. A summer planning session for the 2007-2008 is scheduled for August.
Parent Organization Bake Sale - Tanya
1. The PO is looking for clarity on the nutrition policy to help plan a bake sale fundraiser.
2. Discussion about how to create a bake sale with the principles of the nutrition policy occurred.
3. Tanya, Patty and Susan will meet with Wendy Pierson, PO member in charge of concessions, to clarify the policy and provide suggestions for ideas/recipes of items to sell.
Other
1. Gym Night – Beth
  1. Over 100 people attended the “Success By Six” event on a snowing evening. Many thanks to Susan Barnard and Carol Barry for their assistance.
2. May is “Health Month” with activities such as the Golden Shoes Mileage Walk. See newsletter for details.

SHAC Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2007

Attendants: Karen Akins, Susan Barnard, Bonnie Benoit, Sarah Chap, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Karen Davenport, Meaghan Kane, Kathy Lord, Teresa MacAdams, Patty Meriam, Courtney Pletzer, Rob Raynsford.

Review of Minutes
1. With the correction to the name JoEllen Tarallo-Falk, the February minutes were approved.
Introductions
Tobacco Grant - Tanya
1. A planning meeting will be held on Friday 3/15 at 12:20pm in the upstairs conference room to discuss spending items for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
2. Discussed items of Health Education Coordinator stipend, tobacco education lung model, and KYB modules as being priorities of BTMES for next year.
3. Planning meeting is open for anyone interested.
Farm to School Grant – Patty, Karen D.
1. Meeting is scheduled with Farmer’s Dinner owner to review equipment list, etc. Will seek any other recommendations.
2. Will meet with Heather Herzig for library component.
3. Have not yet met with Tony Campos to plan/schedule cooking show.
4. Karen went to meeting on Farm-to-Table program.
  1. Suggestion of “Grow-a-Row” for families to grow food in their home gardens for donation to the school. Patty will communicate this idea and delegate it to Mary Dollenmaeir..
  2. Observed that BTMES is the largest school involved in this program, therefore some of the other suggestions did not seem appropriate due to our size.
  3. Made connections with many local growers and distributors.
KYB – Kathy, Tanya
1. Training on March 5 went well.
2. Teachers identified the need time for planning and materials (more KYB modules).
3. Permission to reproduce the KYB modules for teachers’ use is being explored, as well as seeking funding source for purchasing more materials if necessary.
4. Discussed need to have admin/curriculum coordinator ongoing support.
5. HEC meeting, to be attended by Ted, will be on March 19th at 7:30am.
6. Discussed need for creation of curriculum overview for comprehensive health education, required by the Dept. of Education. The DOE will be releasing a new addition of the Grade Level Expectations for Health Education sometime this spring. This will facilitate the BTMES curriculum overview for Health Education.
Policy Committee Meeting – Susan, Patty
1. Several policies were reviewed:
  1. Student Activities Policy, including passing grade requirement for participation.
  2. Criminal background checks for BTMES volunteers and community service workers.
  3. New policy for applying for grants and establishing pilot projects.
    1. Concerns were expressed about how board review of grant applications may compromise the timing of applying for grants.
    2. BTMES administrators will come back with their revision of the policy.
    3. Discussed need to further facilitate communication from SHAC to the school board.
  4. Wellness Policy
    1. It was suggested at the policy meeting that goals be written into the policy, including “best practice.”
      1. Susan suggested writing increased times (minutes/week) for PE be included as goals.
      2. Susan also suggested using exercise and other activity-oriented videos during indoor recess.
    2. Concerns were raised over the elimination from the Fitness portion of the Wellness policy of the provision for clean safe floors in the gyms.
2. March 14th Barre-Montpelier Area YMCA planning meeting.
3. March 27, 6:pm next policy meeting.
Safe Routes to School – Karen Akins
1. Training occurred at Norwich for “Geo Caching” activities on trails.
  1. Suggested tallying miles per week for each student for documentation purposes.
  2. Will need to get permission from parents so students can explore a large perimeter with their GPS.
2. The results of the survey on biking/walking to school printed in the parent newsletter are unknown. The team in charge of this study includes Tim Crowley, Terry Salvador, and Susan Barnard.
  1. Safety issues around biking/walking to school are on the agenda for the school safety committee.
3. An early morning bike club activity is being planned for May, with Kathy Lord as parent leader. This will coincide with “Way to Go Week,” a Vermont wide event.
4. Extra money is available from the Safe Routes to School grant. Spending ideas include; bike helmets, adaptive equipment for special need students, and GPS units for ongoing Geo Caching activities.
5. A plan to obtain infrastructure money for ongoing Safe Routes goals needs to be devised.
  1. Suggested that a subcommittee for this purpose be created. It’s members would include; Susan Barnard, Kathy Lord, Patty Meriam, and Tim Crowley.
  2. Overall plan is to ease into biking this year with grant money, and then address specific policy next year looking for sustainable funding.
  3. Karen will address PTO as well as outreach to parents.
    1. Patty discussed the role and evolution of the PTO and parent representation in school events.
Other – Patty, Susan
1. A community group, including CVH, Barre Partnership, met on March14th to explore options for creating a rec center between the Montpelier and Barre communities. This group is looking to get the YMCA organization involved.
2. Tim looking at an interface with after school programs.
BMI – Tanya
1. Discussion of how to address childhood obesity issues in a comprehensive and holistic way as a school community.
2. Raised concerns of using BMI data in a report card fashion, as this may give not only misleading, but also incomplete information to parents and students.
3. Leslie Walz and Tanya are meeting to strategize ways of communicating concerns of childhood obesity to parents and healthcare providers. The district nurses will be collaborating with local area pediatricians. The goal will be to generate ideas and create a plan for student identified with BMIs > 95th percentile during routine school screening, so they can receive comprehensive medical follow-up.
4. Tanya is looking for input and thoughts on these topics from SHAC members, parents and other community members.
5. A portion of the next SHAC meeting will be set aside to have further discussion on this topic.
Next SHAC meeting is April 2, 3:40pm.

SHAC meeting minutes
Monday, February 5, 2007

Attendants: Patty Meriam, Rob Raynsford, Ted Riggen, Beth Campo, Teresa MacAdams, Karen Akins, Courtney Pletzer, Susan Barnard, Ry Hoffman, Kathy Lord, Karen Davenport, Joelen Mulvaney-Stanak;

Patty Meriam made a motion to approve the minutes – Kathy Lord seconded.

*Farm to School grant – meeting last Thursday – 2/1/07 – to realign budget with money granted – where to cut back about $3000 off the total. Mr. Murray met with the team and estimated we can probably use $2000 from Abbey group kitchen fund to purchase some equipment to process and prepare the food more efficiently. Mary Dollenmaier will be doing systems coordination, relationship building as well as research. The major work of this grant is research, not administrative processing, and $5000 was built into the grant for this work. Mary Dollimaier, Susan Barnard and Patty Meriam to meet with school librarians, Tony Campos from VideoVision, Todd Murphy from Farmers Diner and others. Mary’s title for the work she will be doing is “Systems Research and Implementation Coordinator”.

*Taste testing – Wed. 2/14/07– cold beet soup – with PSTL student Cameo Lamb – working with Karen in kitchen. Susan suggested putting notice in bulletin – perhaps staff would be interested in purchasing soup for lunch. Notice bulletin board by office with graphs by Hale and Gola 6th grade classes as well as photos and taste test information done by Tanya, Cameo and some parent volunteers. Info also on website

*Know Your Body…in-service March 5th – Joelen Tarallo-Falle is going to provide training on integration and implementation strategies to help with meeting the action plan. Some teachers have been successfully using the program –mostly lower grades. Gearing up for March 5 training – 12:30 pm –it is a challenging effort to present a thorough non-mandated health ed program. Our attempt is to build the program naturally into the curriculum. Joelen Mulvaney-Stanak will bring brochure materials from the Tobacco grant that may be of interest to teachers and parents.

*Policy meeting – 1/23/07 – still working on wellness policy –going line by line through it. Almost to end of it and it will then go to other committees - curriculum, finance, facilities. Important to know when it is on agenda of each of these committees:
Curriculum – Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at 8AM
Finance – Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 8AM
Facilities – Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 4:30 PM
(Cathy Hilgendorf is on Facilities and she will keep us appraised.) Several curriculum concerns were raised about PE classroom requirements, Para educators, etc.

Joelen Mulvaney-Stanak wondered about putting drug and alcohol policy with Wellness – Ted doesn’t think it is up for review at this time – 5 year cycle for policies. We will advise the next person taking Kerri Lamb’s place to try to place it into the current Wellness policy – at least under the wing of it. Perhaps a third section – to come under the Wellness and Fitness and have it come under the SHAC committee. Note when Drug and Alcohol policy is in review –

*Safe Routes to School – Karen Akins

Federal program included in the last 5 year transportation bill that combines physical activity- childhood obesity and transportation issues – encouragement and education – walking and biking to school. Educational infrastructure piece –funding ideas are flexible - start out with baseline survey about how kids are getting to school and parent attitudes about that.

Work was done in the fall to have physical education classes use the bike path. Program money of $1500, for1 1/2 years, includes sending teachers to training. The grant is flexible money to spend. Issues include lack of sidewalk structures, people being able to walk around town is an issue, and helping gym classes with biking during school. In the spring – Sue Yesalonia and 20 physical education students from Norwich will be doing “ moving is fun” program – opportunity will train PE students to teach.

New fun thing - geocashing – high tech hide and seek – great way to get kids out to use a trail system – getting outdoors and having fun – there is a treasure at the end of the hunt – log book, competition – may hopefully encourage kids to use trail. Phil Joyal (PE teacher 6-8) has mentioned doing an after school bike club – would help to have support – Tim Crowley to pursue parent sponsored walk to school using the trail – talk to interested parents encourage kids and give them the opportunity to bike and walk. Trying to get biking policy changed so that students can ride bikes to school– graduated restrictions with criteria – like attending a bike safety fair, wearing helmets, etc. Important to open opportunities for students to bike to school. (Kathy Lord said she was interested in leading a group of upper level students on bikes to and from school. Karen Akins will meet with her. (*See below)

Federal money can be used to improve biking and walking conditions to school – designing sidewalk along Websterville road –Karen A said they were able to make sure that sidewalks go into town plans – bike racks could be paid for by fed grant – 2007 – probably not arrive until 2008. Could help support half day workshops. School must have a student travel plan – required before they can apply for fed money – to help eliminate barriers…need subcommittee to meet – few parents, few staff,

*Walk or bike to school day in Oct - international event… regionally planning with other schools – May 2007 – meeting in Montpelier.” Way to Go” week nationally – try to encourage people to use other methods of transportation besides car – reduce pollution etc. Get science/global warming – track emissions, etc. How can they personally help…Montpelier/ Northfield also participating – last year May mileage walk coordinated with the Barre Partnership gave pedometers to kids who participated in walking downtown.

Patty Meriam trying to get Barre City to declare health month in May– probably will do the pedometer event again – easier to do something that has been successful rather than reinvent the wheel…she has talked with Pierre from Millstone Hill about annual bike festival – get people out and active. He is unable to help this fall. Karen Akins said we have about $1200-1300 dollars left – one idea – to get a parent to start small with getting kids to ride their bikes to school and stipend – maybe two days a week – to be there at 8:30 and again at 3:30. *Kathy Lord interested in doing it. There are bike trains they do
on city streets – they have guidance/procedures and a protocol to follow… Mileage group again in third grade supported by EPSDT (Early Periodic Screening Diagnostic Treatment) monies.

*Fitness gram – Sue Yesalonia is involved with GPS – working on getting kids with 0,1 or 2 passes on the Fitness gram involved –( EPSDT money as well) will hire Ry Hoffman to help link with Norwich students. If kids not putting out effort – Ry to help keep things on track –

*Peer Mediation – had a number of referrals at 4th grade level. 17 plus 2 more - going well – Rob wishes we have more have teachers keeping their eyes out for conflicts. Have done some advertising- posters etc. Letting folks know we still have the program and it is helpful. General info on web site looks good – good info for parents. At next staff meeting, Rob/ Ry will talk about peer mediation – helpful to avoid bullying/harassment issues. They are getting positive response from students. They will work more with teachers to get more referrals – and to help handle conflicts in support center. Rob will get numbers for website and newsletter – talk about kinds of issues. Suggestion to do a mock mediation as a demonstration to help get the word out – go to Tony Campos and make a video to show how things work…Rob to get info to Patty for newsletter and on website.

OTHER
* Joelen Mulvaney-Stanak reported on the “Youth on Board” leadership training opportunity on March 9 – 5:30 -8:30pm and March 10 10:30 – 5pm – training to collaborate across the ages for a better community. Meals and childcare provided. Please contact Joelen or Christine at 479-7378 – New Directions for Barre. Training involves decision making and other skills and strategies. Also the program is for local boards of organizations to think about having young people as members of their boards.

*Susan Barnard reported that the Dept. of Health is going to issue grants to fund community wellness initiatives. Grant requires regional approach – would not just be Barre Town. Perhaps the area could hire a person to write grants for the greater Washington county area.

*Washington West Supervisory Union wellness policy presentation – our Wellness/Fitness policy seems to be right in line with the WWSU presentation…we are definitely on the right track. Still need to continue to solve issues:
like finding alternative ways to engage the non-athlete in fitness activities – recess is an issue – especially 7/8th grade
we currently have physical education 80 minutes a week – state/national looking for 150 – 225 minutes of physical education per week.

NEXT SHAC MEETING is Monday, March 12, 2007 at 3:40pm

SHAC Meeting Minutes
January 8, 2007

Attendants: Patty Meriam, Rob Raynsford, Ted Riggen, Bonnie Benoit, Beth Campo, Meghan Kane, Susan Barnard, Teresa MacAdams, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, David Harrington, Karen Davenport

Co Chairs: Beth Campo, Susan Barnard

Secretary: Tanya Crawford-Stempel

Introductions
Minutes from 12/4/06 were reviewed.
1. Correction to the name Dollenmaier.
2. Corrections to 6b on page 2 as follows:
  1. Change “nutrition policy” to “wellness policy.”
  2. Exchange the phrase ”discussion sessions” for “readings.”
3. Add notation as follows: “After discussion in the Policy Committee, the proposed Wellness Policy will be reviewed by the Finance and Curriculum Committees, then sent to the school board to be read twice before being accepted into policy.”
4. Correction to the name Raynsford.
5. Minutes were passed with above corrections.
Before and After School Survey – presented by Ted Riggen
1. This survey, coordinated by Tim Crowley, had a good return rate.
2. The results of the survey revealed the following:
  1. Overall support for before and after school programs.
  2. Respondents are willing to pay for care, up to the cost of daycare.
  3. Respondents emphasized need for after school care, especially with homework assistance, and mostly for the lower grades.
3. Organizers have been given a list of local resources to work and coordinate the project..
4. The school board has directed that any programs that are implemented should be sustainable and not taxpayer funded.
5. A timeline for implementation has not yet been established.
6. Some logistics for consideration before programs are established are the registration process, insurance and liability coverage, and transportation.
Farm -To-School Grant– presented by Susan Barnard
1. Of 63 grant applications, 58 were considered; and 12 schools were chosen as recipients.
2. Barre Town’s application requested funds in the amount of $14,090, and $10,890 was granted.
3. Susan, Patty, and Mary Dollenmaier, grant writer and co-overseer, will meet in February to reorganize the grant funds and grant objectives. Upcoming meetings will include input from Tony Campos of New England Cooks, and Todd Murphy of the Farmers Diner organization.
4. A legislative ceremony for recipients of the grant will be held on 1/18/07 at the Montpelier statehouse for all of those who contributed to the grant writing process.
5. A question was raised of how the grant coordinator’s portion of the grant fund will adjust with the reduction of the grant reward. Susan responded that a major component of the grant is the role of a researcher who will investigate and coordinate the establishment of new systems to provide fresh produce and products to our cafeteria. While the funds for this research may reduce proportionally, the work is a major component of the grant.
6. There was a report that the Abbey Group is already utilizing local apples and potatoes, from a farm in Williamstown.
Know Your Body Update – presented by Tanya Crawford-Stempel and Ted Riggen
1. Review of the school board’s action plan item that requires an implementation plan for the “Know Your Body” health curriculum.
2. Explanation of the March 5th In-service Day training for teacher of grades K-4.
3. Possible utilization of implementation plans from other schools supplied by Joellen Tarallo-Falk of the Center for Health and Learning.
LPN Update – presented by David Harrington
1. Discussion of the school board’s commitment to explore retaining the current LPN position in the Barre Town Health Office, in spite of the DOE mandate for RN coverage.
Website Update – presented by Ted Riggen and Patty Meriam
1. Newcomers to the web site gave input with fresh eyes.
2. School board concerned with the following two issues:
  1. Posted draft policies being confused as adapted policies.
    1. Suggest a brightly displayed annotation that these are policies in revision.
  2. Posting bus schedules on the web site. This may provide information of where and when to find children to those who do not need this information. Suggested alternatives include;
    1. Posting the bus schedule for a short time only at the beginning of the school year.
    2. Only publishing the bus schedule in parent newsletter.
3. SHAC link on the site will have updates on SHAC-related items.
4. A suggestion was made that SHAC website might be able to post and include health related projects that the PTO is sponsoring, since they do not have their own page on the website.
Upcoming Policy Committee Meeting on 1/23/07- presented by Susan Barnard
1. This upcoming meeting will contain discussion of the proposed Fitness portion of the Wellness Policy.
2. Contact with people who gave input to Fitness portion of Policy will be made to gather support for this meeting.
3. A request was made that any attendants of the policy meeting must be clear that any new or updated policy may be revised due to the many ways it needs to be considered by all the boards committees.
4. A discussion of the differentiation between Policy and Procedure, and frequency of policy review ensued. Suggestion that “higher risk” policies (such as sexual harassment, etc) may need to be reviewed more frequent than other policies.
David Harrington presented a School Board Perspective
1. When board looks at assessments, they want to see all kids move up in their scores. Looking at DOE standards, there is room for interpretation, seems difficult to incorporate into a doable day.
2. The School Board is considering the issue of too many expectations for our students. Next summer’s Board retreat will look at this issue, and garner input from a variety of sources.
  1. New assessment ideas may be used including a “day in review” of student and faculty life.
  2. Any proposed changes would not have an effect until two years from now.
3. A suggestion was made of creating a planning session with the new superintendent, board members, teachers, and other faculty to look at the future and vision of BTMES.
Other Business
1. SHAC as a Board Appointed committee
  1. The Board looks to SHAC to investigate and develop strategies for addressing health related issues.
    ii. The SHAC committee requirements seem to be too involved for a Board member to Chair the committee.
  2. Communication with the school board can occur with board members attending meetings as needed.
2. Next Meeting February 5th

SHAC Meeting Minutes
December 4, 2006

Attendants: Patty Meriam, Rob Raynsford, Kathy Lord, Karen Davenport, Beth Campo, Susan Barnard, Courtney Pletzer, Karyn Simpson, Ted Riggen, Tanya Crawford-Stempel
Facilitator and Committee Co-Chair: Susan Barnard
Secretary: Tanya Crawford-Stempel

Spritzer Bar Presentation (Seltzer water and fruit juice) provided Susan Barnard

Introductions
Review of last meeting minutes
1. Correction to the name Patty Meriam and addition of Karyn Simpson to attendants.
2. Minutes approved, motion by Patty Meriam/unanimous
3. Decided that minutes will go to Ted and Teija once completed by Tanya and edited by Patty.
Farm to School Grant – presented by Susan Barnard and Patty Meriam
1. The committee submitted a grant proposal on 12/1/06, requesting a total of $14,090.
  1. Due to the competitive nature of the grant details of it will only be divulged publicly once accepted.
2. Notification to Grant recipients will be in 1/07. Monies are dispersed and the program runs on a calendar year schedule.
3. Mary Dollenmaier, the grant writer, will be the overseer along with Susan Barnard, as the BTMES representative. SHAC is the steward of the grant.
4. If the grant is not accepted, it will be reworked for next year. As this is a competitive grant, anyone with access to it is asked to keep the contents of grant confidential.
Taste Testing - presented by Tanya Crawford-Stempel and Karen Davenport
1. Report on November 10, 2006 taste test of Pumpkin Pudding as a success.
2. Discussion as to how this program is influencing the culture of the school. Ideas are as follows:
  1. Keep track of the occurrence of the recipes that are approved in Taste Testing surveys in the cafeteria. Karen to follow up with this.
  2. Development of recipe book of Taste Tested recipes. This item will be brought to the Taste Testing sub-committee.
  3. Collaboration with teachers for supporting nutrition teaching where it is being taught (1st and 2nd grade teachers).
Bike update – presented by Patty Meriam and Susan Barnard
1. A donation of $1000 was received from the Rotary. A Thank You card was circulated during the meeting.
2. Pictures taken with Rotary members will be included with other photos of the bike festival and posted to our website and used possibly in the parent newsletter.
3. WCTA members Shelly Ibey and Linda Bartlett have expressed interested in the WCTA providing funding for the BTMES bike program. They target drug and alcohol prevention programs which encourage healthful habits like biking. They donated $500 last month to the program.
4. A discussion occurred on how to utilize future monies, including development of more appropriate bike storage and special needs accommodations.
5. Ted suggested the possibility of proposing a bond for developing bike storage.
Policy Committee meeting – presented by Susan Barnard
1. Ted and Susan from SHAC were present at the last meeting. Members of the PTO were present at the Policy meeting and expressed concern about teachers policing lunchbox contents in the cafeteria. They were concerned because they thought the BTMES Nutrition Policy allowed (encouraged) this kind of intervention WHICH It DOES NOT. Our Nutrition Policy focuses on the food we offer and sell at BTMES. It is up to the Parents to decide what goes in their child’s lunchbox. We hope, however, that the information we provide to parents will encourage them to make healthful choices for their children.
  1. The committee expressed that a piece of candy in the lunch box after Halloween is not a problem. All foods in moderation.
2. Two discussion sessions to pass the Wellness policy will occur at the 1/23, 2/20 Policy Committee meetings. After discussion in the Policy Committee, the proposed Wellness Policy will be reviewed by the Finance and Curriculum Committees, then sent to the school board to be read twice before being accepted into policy. People who helped work on this policy will be sent an emailed encouraging them to come support the Policy during the readings.
3. The committee began looking at the Fitness portion of the Wellness Policy. They have decided to research the bare minimum required by law for this portion. This is a concern because of the amount of expertise and thought, which has gone into crafting the quality of standards for this proposed policy.
4. A School Board position will be opening.
BTMES Web Site – presented by Ted Riggen
1. The School Health Advisory Committee is located under the School Board Committees link,
2. The SHAC link will contain the following;
  1. Mission Statement
  2. Current committee news
  3. 5 buttons: History of SHAC, Committee Members, Minutes, Health Policy Development, and Peer Mediation
  4. List of meeting dates
  5. Committee Goals
3. Emphasis was made that this information must stay current on the web site.
4. Health Policy Discussions will have links to the Wellness Policy site. BTMES only has a Nutrition policy currently, Fitness is under development.
5. Other future links may include the Before and After School Programs, PE, the Bike program, and Taste Testing.
Action Plan – presented by Ted Riggen
1. The 4 items for the Healthy School portion of the Action Plan were reviewed.
2. A return to a summer planning retreat day will occur.
3. SHAC will need to develop a summary during the May meeting to send to the Action Planning Meeting.
4. Discussion on reporting BMI to parents, primary doctors, and the community in the town report occurred. Points on public sensitivity, the epidemic of obesity in children, and the need for parental education/awareness were made. Development of a Health Screening Report including all screening information (such as vision, hearing, height, weight, BMI, blood pressure), which would be sent to parents, was proposed.
5. A proposition was made for a Parent Education Night with presenters from CVH and other local health resources.
6. A discussion occurred on Health Education and funding. Questions arose about when KYB was purchased and who decided on this curriculum. It was recollected that one of the biggest strong points to the KYB program is ease of integration into other curriculum.
7. A suggestion was made to add the Action Plan to the BTMES web site. Ted Riggen to follow up with this.
Before and After School Survey update – presented by Ted Riggen
1. 90 total surveys have been returned.
2. The greatest need identified is after school programs.
3. Tim Crowley is digesting this data.
Compost – presented by Ted Riggen
1. By Nov. 10th 5.33 tons of compost had been collected in this very successful program. Ted needs volunteers to help him at lunch time.
New business
1. Discussion about SHAC members’ responsibility for monitoring the Nutrition policy, specifically if a staff member violates the policy with students. Nutrition policy states SHAC members are responsible for monitoring policy, which will be changed. SHAC members can have eyes and ear for the staff, and also have a role in supporting staff, students, and parents in learning how to follow the policy. It is administrations role to enforce the policy.
2. Suggestion to increase every student’s activity level to 30 minute of walking during school a day.

SHAC Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2006

Attendants: Beth Campo, Laurie Gossen, Ted Riggen, Kathy Lord, Rob Raynsford, Susan Barnard, Ann Gurin, Courtney Pletzer, Patty Meriam, Karen Davenport, Ry Hoffman, Tanya Crawford-Stempel
Mediator: Beth Campo
Secretary: Tanya Crawford-Stempel

Introductions
Minutes from October meeting were reviewed and approved.
Farm to School Grant, presented by Susan Barnard
1. A grant committee held a planning meeting.
  1. Discussed one-time financial line items, such as extra burners and a food processor for the school kitchen.
  2. Discussed expanding the farm foods the kitchen receives to year round local foods, including dairy.
  3. The Abbey Group representative expressed willingness to purchase more local produce and was given resources to do this.
  4. Finance committee meeting will be 8-8:15am on 11/9. Jesse Shapiro and Patty Meriam will present the grant in front of this committee.
  5. Discussed tying the goals of the grant into the new school nutrition policy.
  6. Discussed utilizing already existing farm produce outreach programs, such as the Farm to Table program.
2. The grant deadline is Dec 1, 2006.
Taste Testing, presented by Tanya Crawford-Stempel and Karen Davenport.
1. The first taste test will be on 11/10, featuring pumpkin pudding.
2. A CLS student is involved with making signs and testing the recipe. In the future, CLS students could be utilized in other ways, and other classes could be involved with analyzing the surveys.
3. Suggestion by SHAC were as follows:
  1. The recipe could be printed in the parent newsletter. In the future it could appear on the web site.
  2. Photos for a bulletin board and the newspaper should be taken at the testing. A volunteer will bring a camera.
  3. Ann Gurin will contact the Times Argus newspaper to see if they would like to come to the event and report.
  4. A resource list for media contacts should be developed for school related events.
Bike update, presented by Susan Barnard
1. Money update
  1. $518 is remaining from the event Vermont Bike-a-thon.
  2. $4351.01 was spent on 15 bikes, maintenance/repair, and a bike rack.
  3. $1000 is earmarked for bikes in future funding.
  4. A $500 check was presented by Patty Meriam from Linda Bartlette and her sister Shelley Ibey on behalf of the WCTL, a national organization devoted to projects which give children healthful options to drugs and alcohol. A thank you note was circulated during the SHAC meeting for members to sign.
2. Maintenance
  1. PE teacher, Phil Joyal, is learning bike maintenance. Students are interested in learning as well.
  2. Tim Crowley had stated that he would support bike maintenance as part of the tech ed curriculum to teach students about gearing and physics.
3. Racks
  1. The bikes currently have indoor storage, but no outdoor racks.
  2. Suggestion by SHAC to contact Duchamps and other local businesses to donate bike racks.
4. Issue arose that the school board needs a full financial accounting of the bike situation. Susan and Patty will apprise the Board of the bike funding, and be sure all written “Thank Yous” are completed.
Nutrition Policy, presented by Susan Barnard.
1. A second reading of the nutrition policy was heard before the policy committee. The policy needs two readings before the committee then it will proceed on to the Board to be warned.
2. The next policy meeting will be on 11/28 from 6-7:30pm in the upstairs conference room. Any interested parties are encouraged to attend.
3. The fitness portion of the wellness policy will also be discussed at the next policy meeting.
  1. A concern of the PE staff is that the walking surfaces in both gyms are old and worn, needing replacing. This possibly affects the breathing health of the students.
  2. Clarification sought as to whether this is a fitness policy concern. Discussed.
Web Site, presented by Ted Riggen
1. The School web site is www.btmes.org
2. Teija Huttunen-Green completed the introduction portion of the SHAC link.
3. The next web site development meeting is 11/17 at 8:30am. Anyone with web-related ideas is welcome to attend.
4. Photos of students on the web site are permitted if children’s names are not identified.
5. Suggested that a draft of the nutrition policy be posted on the web site.
6. Requested to post next year’s Bike-a-thon scheduled for 9/16/07 on the web site.
7. For any additional web site related suggestions, contact Ted.
2006-2007 Action Plan, presented by Ted Riggen
1. The Board approved the action plan.
2. SHAC reviewed the School Health portion of the plan.
  1. Discussed a Report Card of Fitness, which would go home with students.
    1. Suggested standardized report cards for older grades with skill specific information, like the Fitness-Gram do for the younger grades.
    2. Discussed the use of BMI information; how can this information be a tool for discussing obesity with parents, and/or reported to pediatricians for medical follow-up. Acknowledged that this is a sensitive subject.
  2. Considered the idea of putting BMI statistical data in the Town Report, and whether the school could obtain permission from guardians to share BMI information with students’ pediatrician.
3. A retreat will be planned for August 2007 to work on next year’s action plan. The date is TBA.
Suicide Legislation, presented by Rob Raynsford and Susan Barnard
1. New legislation, H630 Suicide Prevention in Public Schools, was recently passed.
2. Need for this law is based on data from the YRBS.
3. Some key points of the legislation include the following:
  1. Teachers are the gatekeepers, and have the opportunity to identify the signs and symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation in their students.
  2. Guidance counselors, teachers, or health educator will provide bulling prevention curriculum.
  3. There are workshops set up for teachers and resources in communities, as well as H630 trainers.
  4. More information can be obtained at www.leg.state.vt.us
4. Ry Hoffman’s students are doing research projects on this topic and can provide a presentation at a staff meeting.
5. Suggested that information on this legislation be put in the parent newsletter.
Tobacco Grant, presented by Susan Barnard
1. There is a desire to purchase a Smoking Education Kit with Tobacco Grant funds.
2. Liaison with Joelen Mulvaney should be Tanya Crawford-Stempel, as it had been Martha Ide in previous years. No one present is familiar with the workings of the grant.
3. Susan Barnard, Kathy Lord, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Paul Moccia, and Karyn Simpson will meet with Joelen to understand the criteria for, workings of, and deadline for the grant more fully, and present to SHAC. Beth Campo will arrange this meeting.
Updates
1. A Health Education Fair will occur at the flu shot clinic on 11/9 and at the staff meeting on 11/12.
2. Peer mediation, training occurred on 11/3. 29 students are participating and working to make a stronger program. A goal is to make peer mediation a long-term project.
3. The composting project has yielded over 5,000 lbs. Ted Riggen has embarked on a “real” silverware study.
4. The Yakker Trakker is in place. Data is being collected to establish guidelines for teachers to use this device.
5. The Health Coordinator position is on hold at this point per Superintendent, Dr. Fagan.
6. The Crops for Kids garden has been put to bed. It was a successful year in spite of cold weather, and with the help of Norwich students.
7. Salad bar
  1. CSL students cannot help students build salads as was previously thought due to their schedules and helping elsewhere in the cafeteria. A thought is to have older students teach younger students how to build a salad.
  2. Karen reported that because Iceberg lettuce is lowest in nutritional value it is used with other more nutritive lettuces in salad bar. It is used alone only if the kitchen runs out of other lettuces. Iceberg is exclusively used in sandwich bar because the ease of slicing it.
  3. Teachers in first grade have been seen dissuading students from using the salad bar. Ted will address this.
  4. A suggestion was made of obtaining or making a video to teach young students how to assemble a salad. Also suggested was obtaining a stool to assist shorter students. Karen and Patty to brainstorm this items and consult with Ted.
Next SHAC meeting is scheduled for 12/4/2006 3:40pm.

Respectfully submitted by Tanya Crawford-Stempel

SHAC meeting 10/2/06

Secretary – Meaghan Kane
Present: Patty Meriam, Paul Moccia, Ry Hoffman, Karyn Simpson, Ted Riggen, Courtney Pletzer, Beth Campo, Karen Davenport, Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Kathy Lord, Susan Barnard, Meaghan Kane

*Introductions

*Reviewed minutes from our last meeting

Confirmed our new mission statement
EPSDT $ is available – possible for funding a school health coordinator
We have been awarded two grants: 1) Safe Routes to School and 2) The Garden Grant for Crops by Kids

*Ted lead discussion on introduction of SHAC to the BTMES website

He reminded us that we are one of the Board’s appointed committees
He reviewed the origins of SHAC and asked for all members to look at and review – any feedback and/or changes that need to be made should be reported to Ted as soon as possible
Once the “Origins of SHAC” is revised and finalized, we will then move it along to the webmaster (Ted will be meeting with Teija on Oct. 20th)
We will be posting all minutes from our SHAC meetings on the website

*Structure of the SHAC Committee

Beth Campo and Susan Barnard will be Co-Chairs
Tanya Crawford-Stempel will serve as the SHAC Secretary, sending minutes to Patty Meriam for editing
Other Branches of SHAC…
- Taste-Testing
  1. Bryn Mayr, Tina Gloser, a new volunteer, Courtney Pletzer, and Ann Gurin will be organizing CSL students to help out with this program
  2. Karen Davenport briefly presented what a day of taste-testing looks like. We noted the purpose of these events is to introduce new health conscious foods to students that follow and fit under our new Nutrition Policy
- Peer Mediation (reported by Ry Hoffman)
  1. The first re-training for 4th-6th graders that acted as mediators last year will happen Thursday, October 4th
  2. Another training will be happening in the beginning of November
- Safe Routes To School
  1. Susan Barnard is heading it up!
  2. This Friday first graders will be walking on the new bike path for “International Walking Day”
- Wellness Policy Group
  1. Beth and Susan worked with Kerri Lamb in reviewing the Wellness Policy. They discussed the difference between procedure VS. policy and where to list our points appropriately.
  2. The next Policy meetings will be on October 24, November 28, January 23 and February 20. These meetings are held in the upstairs conference room starting at 6:00 pm. It’s very important to have as many of us as possible there representing SHAC.
- Health Education: “Know Your Body” Curriculum
  1. Tanya and Kathy will be meeting to discuss how the KYB curriculum is being used at BTMES
  2. Kathy is willing to work with KYB again but vocalized a concern for more communication with staff and faculty.
  3. Laura Moore (board member) is also working on this
- Yacker Tracker
  1. It’s in! This is a device researched by Susan Barnard that will help control the noise level in the Dining Room.

*Bike Update

We have ordered 15 more bikes from Pierre Coulture, better quality, for only $18 more per bike.
We have spent a lot of effort on the bike storage room, and can currently store 30-35 bikes
Bike-a-thon was very successful! Patty Meriam and Kathy Lord organized the school event in which 30 students raised over $3,000. Susan Barnard and Patty Meriam wrote grants to The Rotary and Kiwanis which yielded $1,000 for each. Thus, $5000 was raised through their efforts

*Composting Update from Ted

We have successfully composted 3,000 pounds of food scraps that won’t have to be put into the landfill! Yahoo!
We are still in need of parent volunteers to help out with this process during all lunches

*Health Coordinator Update

This position is being discussed by all boards in the district
“We’re on top of it.” Susan Barnard

* NEW Grant Updates

Farm to School Grant: Susan has found a grant writer to prepare this application
Wellness Grant

*Action Plan

This has not yet been presented to the staff or board

*Meeting dates for SHAC go as follows…

Location: Upstairs Conference Room
Time: 3:40-5:00
Dates:

11/6/06 12/4/06 1/8/07 2/5/07
3/12/07 4/2/07 5/7/07

SHAC Meeting – November 5, 2007

Present – Tanya Crawford-Stempel, Susan Barnard, Kathy Lord, Ry Hoffman, Patty Meriam, Linda Seel, Sarah Chap, Laura Moore, Karen Akins, Nina Hansen, Beth Campo

October meeting minutes reviewed – approved motion Patty/second Susan
Restructuring of SHAC meetings – in future we will receive short, typed updates by committees/groups so that there can be more time for discussion and/or work. If you are responsible for an update for the next meeting, please type and send to Tanya one week prior to the meeting so they can be emailed to everyone before the meeting.
Comments on written reports –

Peer mediation – Patty Meriam asked if data was being collected so we could compare usage year to year. Ry said he was working on it.

Soup contest – happening on Wednesday, Nov 7.

Taste Testing – dates and foods have been set for the school year. A cart was donated by Patty Meriam and Farm to School grant is purchasing a plastic dome top so items can be displayed. The “mobile classroom” cart will travel from class to class with the food items for students to explore…and will be kept in the lobby near the cafeteria on taste test days.

Nov. 29 – squash
Dec. 13 – cranberry
Jan. 29 – broccoli/cheese
Feb. 21 – beans
Mar. 27 - potatoes
Apr. 17 – maple
May 22 – frozen fruit soup

Crops By Kids Garden Committee is supporting a new bird station. Thursday, November 15, 2007 Flatbread pizza fundraiser at 2:30 – 4:30 or until they are gone.

Announcements

District SHAC coordinator status – the job is ready to be advertised – at the supervisory union level.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRSB) status – Ry has received 2007 data and will break info out for us. We are planning to analyze the data for BTMES and to also look at the data for SHS and BCEMS.

Health Education Committee(HEC) Liaison position – Kathy Lord and Beth Campo will job share this position that is funded through the Tobacco Grant

Mile Walk update – Sheila Bailey, parent, will take over for 3rd and 4th grade with the help of Tamara Cooley in the spring.

AED – Automatic Electro Defribulator is on loan from the Barre City Fire Department and will be housed in the lobby near the front entrance. They are willing to come and do a community training for anyone who is interested. It is really pretty foolproof. It is hoped that we will eventually purchase one of our own.

Old Business

Farm to School Grant update –

Harvest Soup contest on Wednesday, Nov 7, 2007

The first, second and third place winners of the Soup contest will be on Video Vision’s “New England Cooks” show filmed on Nov. 17, 2007.

As a CSL project, under the guidance of Revell Allen, students have been going to local farms to interview, take pictures and report back to the school. Their reports will be in poster form, displayed in the cafeteria.

The Kingzett report –Tim Kingzett, a local chef and expert in kitchen efficiency, safety, and design has issued a 25 page hand written report. Nina and Kevin prioritized their needs and named these 3 things:
a new refrigerated salad bar, a gas grill, a portable rolling unit and refrigerator.

The report also mentioned some safety concerns within the kitchen. These issues as well as these new items need to go to the Facilities meeting – next one is Dec. 17, 2007 at

Safe Routes to School update

Karen Akins reported that we will be getting some new helmets of a better quality. We are getting bicycle racks – enough for 30 bikes to be placed out by the bike path. Maintenance of the bike gear shifts will be maintained by Peter Richardson and funded by the Bike Fund from the bike rodeo. Karen is going to contact Pierre Couture and hopefully we will have a spring bike rodeo.

We did not get the sidewalk funding in part because we have so few students who walk to school, but we are looking to reapply.

“Cooking for Life” starting this week – Nov. 7 with 15 students – they will be cooking a meal and then taking groceries home so they can cook this meal for their families. This is supported by Sarah Chap and our new chef Kevin Otis. This is being funded by the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, the Farm to School Grant and EPSDT Early Periodic monies.

New Business

Drinks in the cafeteria – Beth Campo shared information from Carolyn Appleton about Dasani water and its additives – Dasani contains magnesium sulfate and salt which makes you want to drink more. Dasani is a Coke product sold from a Coke vending machine in the cafeteria. NUI water is a new water that is sweetened with fruit juice and does not contain any other additives. Nina is going to check into the Evian water that she saw in the supply room – and will check into whether Vermont Pure is an option or whether another company selling a different pure water could have a machine in the cafeteria instead.

New issues brought to the table:

children carrying large, heavy backpacks
new milk containers – a 10 oz. plastic bottle is being promoted by the dairy council to replace the 8oz box. Discussion followed about hormone free milk and using milk from LOCAL dairies in our cafeteria.
water discussion will continue at next meeting
all committee members are to look at the machine and what we are selling to make for better discussion at the next meeting.

Class-Size and Student Enrichment Committee
Meeting Notes from February 2, 2006

Chairperson: Bill Kirkland

Committee Members Present

Val Collins	Laurie Gossens
Sheila Cross	Paul Moccia
Heather Durkee	Ted Riggen
Veronica Eldred

Our proposed policy on class size limits has received first reading

The body of our meeting time was spent in discussion about process as it relates to the Board’s committees and the responsibilities thereof. Additionally, committee members articulated questions they had about the policy committee’s document that went to the Board. (The committee feels that if the policy committee had allowed an additional review by our committee, the reservations/questions could have been resolved perhaps without Board involvement.)

Recall that after our first submission of the proposed class size policy to the policy committee, that committee made some considerable changes. It is the feeling of our committee, that prior to the February 1 Board meeting and the “first reading” (by the Board) of the policy, the revision of the policy and explanation of the proposed changes should have come back to us for one more look and consideration.

That is, our understanding of our committee’s charge by the Board should have resulted in the above return for our review.

Substitute issues

Sheila and Heather had prepared for committee discussion a brief list of school-related items/information about which they feel substitutes need to be better informed.

Time did not allow for a discussion. However, the following actions were taken.

Sheila and Heather were invited to develop a questionnaire to gather from other substitutes more information regarding what they need to know more about.

These two committee members will run the questionnaire by Ted for his review and input.

Several of our more experienced subs will then be invited to respond to the questionnaire.

Sheila and Heather will share the results of this inquiry at our next meeting.

Bill asked that the two also review the most recent Barre City and Barre Town Substitute Manuals and report to the committee on their findings.

OUR NEXT MEETING: Thursday, February 23, 8:00 a.m., upstairs conference room

(next meetings: Thursday, April 6; Thursday, May 4)

Our task at the next meeting:
Discuss the findings of the substitute inquiry.

Class-Size and Student Enrichment Committee
Meeting Notes from January 3, 2006

Chairperson: Bill Kirkland

Committee Members Present

Val Collins	Laurie Gossens
Sheila Cross	Cathy Hilgendorf
Heather Durkee	Julie Martin
Veronica Eldred	Paul Moccia
	Ted Riggen

Getting it together for tomorrow’s Board meeting.

Our task at this meeting was to discuss the “how” and the “who” associated with now transferring the fruit of our labors to the Board. Recall that the original charge given to our committee was to review the literature and make recommendations to the Board on the topic of class size at Barre Town.

(Other areas of our charge were delegated by Dave Harrington to the Board at its August meeting, as follows:

     • Teacher aides and paraeducators
     • Volunteer support
     • PTO and fundraising events
     • Student leadership
     • Athletics
     • Social outlets)

Board Meeting Presentation

NOTE: Bill or Paul needs to state that the administration is moving forward in anticipation of having 47 teaching positions for the 2006-2007 school year. Having this said up front may well put the Board’s mind at ease, since at this same meeting the Board will put forth a proposed FT’07 budget that is based on 47 and not 49 classroom teachers.

Bill Kirkland will introduce his committee members.

Bill will give an overview of the charge and it’s three “answers.” He will share the outcome class sizes to which our study has led us; he will speak to the matter of policy; and, he will tell the Board that our four-month study also surfaced some Barre Town financial information and context that our committee wants the Board to have.

Paul will share with the Board the background of one of the most careful, controlled studies in education conducted in this country on the topic of exactly our charge: class size and its effect on student achievement.

Cathy Hilgendorf will make a presentation on the Tennessee Student Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) studies and their effect on our class size recommendations.

Val Collins will present the financial context talking points from our work

Bill or Ted will summarize the work of the committee. Bill will give the Board members copies of our proposed policy which Laurie G, is drafting.

OUR NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY, JANUARY 10 8:00 a.m. upstairs conference room

Our tasks at the next meeting include:

To debrief on our presentation to and discussion with the Board.

To briefly review the above six “other” categories dealt to us.

To set a series of as-needed meetings of our committee to deal with business assigned by the board.

Class-Size and Student Enrichment Committee
Meeting Notes from December 1, 2005

Chairperson: Bill Kirkland

Committee Members Present

Sheila Bailey	Laurie Gossens
Val Collins	Cathy Hilgendorf
Sheila Cross	Paul Moccia
Heather Durkee	Ted Riggen
Veronica Eldred

Presentation by Dave Harrington, Chair of the Board’s Finance Committee

Dave Harrington came to our meeting wearing two hats. He is at once Chair of the Board, and the leader of the Board’s finance committee. His purpose for coming was to give our committee some fiscal context for our very important guidance to the Board on the topic of staff/student ratios.

During his presentation and the discussion that followed, the following points were made.

The finance committee is studying a draft of the developing 2006-2007 budget. Currently the bottom line shows a net increase of +4.27%, including the increase of one teaching position from the current year. (I.e. a 49th classroom teacher.)
From the 2004-2005 to 2005-2006 school years, Barre Town has experienced a decline of about 50 students. From 2005-2006 to 2006-2007 we are anticipating a further decline of about 20 students. (Dave feels that it will be very difficult to “sell” the community on the increase of our staffing while at the same time experiencing two years of declining student population, particularly in the face of other financial realities.)
- At the state level, the governor is looking for ways to react to the fact that 49.4% of the state budget pays for K-8 education.
- Vermont enjoys the lowest staff-student ratio of any state in the country.
- Section 2120.8.1(c) of the newly-approved (Vermont) School Quality Standards reads as follows:
  At the elementary level, classes in grades K-3, when taken together, shall average fewer than 20 students per teacher. In grades 4-8, when taken together, shall average fewer than 25 students per teacher.

A wide-ranging discussion followed, all centering on the budget and the role of our ratio deliberations on the budget. Clearly the way we staff our school impacts on budget. Kathy raised the idea of the Board making more recognition of the per pupil spending differences between our school and other schools in this area, county, and/or state. Barre Town spends less per pupil than most school districts in Vermont. We are at the bottom in this measure, while being near the top in the academic success of our students. Kathy’s point: we need to make a bigger deal about this.

Sheila Bailey offered the suggestion that the Board reinstitute the practice of going out into the community (neighborhood gatherings?) to discuss the budget and other matters to do with the school,

Clearly we need to formulate our thoughts on the all-important matter of class size, and with an eye toward the context offered by Dave and our discussion.

OUR NEXT MEETING:
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 8:00 a.m., upstairs conference room

Our task at the next meeting: To develop a draft set of recommendations to the Board (if we are ready) and talk about supporting documentation and process – e.g., what the committee’s presentation to the Board will look like.