Thousands of students returned to school this month, and when they did, they were greeted with a new approach to recess across the state. During this past legislative session, two bills impacting recess requirements in Arizona schools were passed.
 For many children, summer means days at the pool and quality time spent with their families. However, for some children, summer is associated with hunger. With no school for several weeks, many students will be left wondering where their next meal will come from.
 At Pinnacle Prevention, we believe teachers are the heart and soul of our communities. Quality education for all children is critical to breaking the cycle of poverty.
With the end of October nearing, National Farm to School Month is also coming to a close. But this doesn’t mean that Farm to School efforts have to end! These programs promote connections between students, schools, and local farmers which should be celebrated and implemented year-round. It's National Farm to School Month, and this week we're celebrating with some of the wonderful numbers behind the movement! Check out our infographic to learn more about farm to school programs, as well as their impact across the country and in our state.
 October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate connections between schools, local farmers, and food. Farm to School Month is an opportunity to emphasize the importance of farm to school programs as a way to improve child nutrition, support local economies, and educate children about the origins of food.  If you ask a child what their favorite subject in school is, you’re likely to hear “recess” as a response. Recess and interactive P.E. classes are not only a fun break from academic workouts in school – they also play a critical role in keeping our children healthy and happy.  Whether you’ve already dropped your little ones off at school, or still have a couple of weeks of summer break left, now is the time to trade in your summer routine for an academic one. Ease your kids into a healthy, successful school year with these tips and tricks from our Pinnacle Prevention project managers Jaclyn and Jessie.
 Each year, the beginning of summer marks the beginning of fun, friends and a welcomed break for school children across the state. But for many Arizona students, this time of year also marks the end of daily, nutritious, and reliable meals.
Nearly half a million students in the state rely on free or reduced school lunches during the school year, according to the most recent Food Research & Action Center report. For many students, these guaranteed meals may be the only source of nutritious food they can count on each day. The school cafeteria doors may be closed for the summer, but hunger doesn’t go on vacation. We’re celebrating National Nutrition Month in March, but this week also marks the 28th National School Breakfast Week. National School Breakfast Week was founded with the goal of providing information about the federal School Breakfast Program and promoting the link between eating a healthy breakfast and improved academic performance.
Breakfast is often hailed as the most important meal of the day. A healthy breakfast sets the tone for the rest of your day and staves off the dreaded “afternoon slump,” but research also shows that breakfast is particularly vital for children’s success in school. |
