Manatee County School Board discusses nutrition

The Manatee County School District is taking a stronger stance on what your child is eating Monday through Friday.

A healthy diet and exercise can improve a student's ability to learn in the classroom, education officials cited on the district's website. So, district officials are looking closer at what it's feeding its students.

The district hopes to make changes to its nutrition policy that school board members hope will improve the quality and healthiness of the breakfast and lunches served at schools countywide.

At its meeting at 5:45 p.m. Aug. 25, the board will discuss amending the policy. If approved, policy changes will take affect this school year.

Changes include establishing a Healthy School Team at each school, comprised of students, parents, food service members, administrators, gym instructors and the public.

Each team will be tasked with overseeing their school's compliance with the district's wellness policy.

Also, the policy cites that all classroom celebrations should still comply with USDA Smart Snacks in Schools requirements.

But, school-wide celebrations and special events may be exempt from that rule once per year.

To view tonight's school board agenda, visit http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/agenda/REVISED%20-%2008-21-15%20-%20August%2025,%202015%20-%20Regular%20Meeting%20and%20Public%20Hearing%20on%20Tuesday,%20August%2025,%202015/2C412FAA-B122-496A-A4BF-88EF5C2DF3C4Agenda.htm.

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].