Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
K-12 public school districts in Iowa who receive USDA funding for their school lunch programs were mandated to have a School Wellness Policy in place and strategies implemented beginning with the 2006-07 school year. One of the Wellness Policy guidelines is to show parent & family educational opportunities and initiatives.

Response:
The ISU Extension “Growing Up Healthy and Active” monthly newsletter resource was offered to school districts in NE Iowa . The inserts were used by 36 different school districts in ten counties, reaching 33,832 families. Overall, 74% of schools in the ten county area utilized the inserts, including five of the ten counties having100% of their schools using them. Most districts distributed the inserts via their monthly (paper) school newsletter. Dubuque Community Schools , and several other districts, provided a link to the inserts on their district webpage, as well as sent copies home in parent newsletters from individual schools.

Impact:
Conversations with school personnel, as well as e-mail messages, indicate they and their patrons very much like the inserts and are anxiously awaiting using Series 2 in 2008. Several school employees stated that patrons especially like having recipes to use and one employee sent a message saying, “Thanks for the good job with these newsletters - attractive, informative, and concise - that's great!”

Contact:
Cindy Baumgartner
Nutrition & Health Field Specialist
Delaware County/NE Area (10 counties)