Deputy Supt. Bruce Passman chats about efforts to curb junk food in schools

Welcome to our online chat with Deputy Supt. Bruce Passman about efforts to curb junk food in schools.

The chat took place on Thursday, April 13, at 1 p.m. and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Thanks for joining us this afternoon for our online chat about a new wellness policy tentatively adopted by Lawrence’s school board this week that will try to curb much of the the junk food — sweets and sodas — that are available to students at school.

Deputy Supt. Bruce Passman is here with us today to respond to your questions about the new policy.

Bruce, thank you for coming down to help explain how the policy will be implemented.

I’d like to invite our readers to ask any questions they might have.

We’ve already received a lot of questions, so we’ll go ahead and get started.

Paula Lawrence: Nutrition and eating less “junk food” is only one part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Children need exercise everyday. Does the district have a policy or are they considering a policy regarding access to physical activity? What is the average number of minutes each day are children allowed to play outside or at physical education? Thanks for you work on this issue.

Bruce Passman: We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this online chat. You raise an important question. Actually the policy addresses a three-pronged approach. It attempts to address issues of nutrition, nutrition education, and physical activity. The physical education time varies but through the policy we hope to look at ways to increase that time.

Bob, Lawrence: Will the ban include sweets at grade school parties such as Valentine’s Day? What happens if we pack two cookies with our child’s lunch? Will the ban cover events such as school carnivals? Will “cake walks” be banned or will we have to use bowls of fruit?

Deputy Supt. Bruce Passman discusses children's nutrition with readers online.

Bruce Passman: First of all, there is no ban at this time. We are asking the Board to approve a broad policy emphasizing the importance of wellness. The implementation plan is a work in progress and will be complete in September. At that time we’ll have a better idea of steps we will be taking. Oh, and by the way, we really aren’t planning on having “food police”! We will be trying to implement in a reasonable manner.

Richard- Lawrence: Many other school districts have removed soda pop and junk food completely..why do the schools need soda pop and candy? What fresh fruits and vegetables will be offered in the cafeterias?

Bruce Passman: Your question is right on track. We’re concerned about the amount of soda pop that students consume today. A lot of people are not aware that many students consume 2 pops per day or 4 pounds of sugar per month. We want to look for other alternatives to keep kids hydrated. We will be trying to increase the amounts of fruits and vegetables that will be offered. Like raising the bar for achievement, we are also raising the bar for the foods and beverages served to students.

David: Ridiculous.

Lawrence High School’s rules on vending machines are already enforced at near NAZI-esque levels.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DON’T AND WON’T DRINK FRUIT JUICES.

“If you’re healthy and feeling good, you’re probably going to do better in school.”

perhaps Passman does not realize that no student feels ‘good and healthy’ in school.

Bruce Passman: Hmm…sounds like a student question. Per my earlier response, we do not intend to police food and beverages. After all, our principals and teachers are focused on “learning of all: whatever it takes” and don’t have time for that. We feel strongly that good health and achievement are correlated. I agree that there may be resistance initially, however, over time, students will make the switch to health beverages.

Vonnie, Lawrence: Why do you want to limit club’s fundraisers, when most of the sales are to parents and friends, and not at school? It could make it harder for groups to raise money.

Vonnie, Lawrence: Since parties and award ceremonies at elementary schools are not an every day occurrence, why do you want to limit what parents and kids can bring? What about those on a budget who may not be able to afford fruit, but still want to celebrate birthdays like other students?

Bruce Passman: Our schools are fortunate to have so many parents who are supportive of our teachers, students, and staff and want to provide additional resources through fundraising. This is especially true in these times of limited fiscal resources coming into the school district. Our intent is not to limit, just to ask our parents to identify other types of fundraising that does not include the sale of foods. One of our schools recently switched from selling candy to conducting a run.

You’re certainly right about the cost of eating healthy. It does cost more that eating “junk foods”. This is something we’ll have to approach with reasonableness and by being respectful of a family’s financial situation.

Lori, Lawrence: Will the practice of providing treats as rewards be addressed? My elementary school aged children seem to frequently receive candy, gum, and other sweets as an incentive or reward for good behavior and good school work.

Bruce Passman: Yes, that’s a part of the plan to implement the policy. We may want to consider other alternatives and practices that are effective in recognizing students for events such as birthdays, accomplishments, and other celebrations.

Paul, Lawrence: Mr. Passman,

Thank you for your time today.

I am a the strength and conditioning coach at a local private High School. I have been taught throughout my life that it is not what you eat as much as it is what you do…..or don’t do. As is the case with many obese individuals.

I’m concerned that this is just another cover for pure laziness. Less soda and more fruit juice sounds like a real change but when there is 29g-35g of sugar in an 8oz can of juice compared to 35g-39g in a can of soda there really isn’t much difference when it comes to the components that turn to pure fat if there is no aerobic activity to burn them off.

The real bottom line is that you can blame the food only so far.

Physical fitness education classes where the core curriculum is riding a stationary bike or other pure aerobic activity for 30-40min every day and teaching kids how to eat is the solution and should be the priority in any “wellness” policy.

Can you tell us what role physical fitness classes and education play in the new “wellness” policy?

What changes are being made in that area?

Again, thank you for your time.

Paul

Bruce Passman: I appreciate the question. We all know that eating right is only a part of the equation. As I mentioned earlier, the proposed policy focuses on nutrition (eating right), nutrition education, and physical activity. We will be looking for ways to supplement or integrate additional nutrition education into the health curriculum and identify ways to increase the level of physical activity. One way to do this would be to provide more structured and vigorous activity during recess at the elementary level.

Anon, Lawrence: Will cupcakes or cookies sent from home in school lunches be considered contraband by the district?

Kathy, Lawrence: Would the new policy apply to kids’ lunches that are brought from home?

Bruce Passman: No, however, Twinkies will be considered as contraband! Seriously, the whole issue of wellness, including nutrition is not solely a school issue. It is a community issue that we need to work on together. The percent of students who are obese has increased dramatically. We want to be sure that we provide high expectations for wellness and model those wellness practices in our schools. Over time, as we educate parents about the wellness policies and goals, we’re confident that parents will follow suit and support the changes and modify their own practices in their homes so that monitoring at school will not be necessary.

Karin: I can understand and support the vending machine limitations and “junk food” limitations imposed DURING school hours but this seems like a very far-reaching “ban” if such things as cookies are not even to be allowed for award ceremonies, and sweets are not to be sent even for birthday parties. How does the district justify such an interference in parenting; and has the effect on refreshments graciously provided by LEAP groups at various school functions been considered? Also, what about things such as bake sales & cookie dough sales; and activities such as dances and concerts? Has the district considered adding more time for PE and recess? The exercise time for our students has been decreasing each year, with a total some weeks of 40 minutes PE in the elementaries, and 30 minutes total (or less!) of recess some days. Shouldn’t exercise be a major component in the fight against childhood obesity?

Bruce Passman: Wow, now let me see, how many questions do you have there? I think the best response I can give is that we will consider all of these issues that parents might raise about the wellness policy and the goals that are later developed. I see the implementation of these changes occurring over the next three years, so some changes will be seen next year; others later in the process. As I mentioned earlier, we are also concerned about the amount of physical activity that students engage in, and that too will be part of the proposed policy and goals.

Pu, Lawrence: Here is my thought…Why can there be a policy of what students can not have, ie; sweets, pop, etc., but we can not policy that students need to “eat” a well balanced meal, either at breakfast or lunch? As an employee of USD 497, I see, on a daily basis, students throwing away more food into the trash can than they have eaten! If the concern is to help kids be healthier, then they need to eat a balanced meal regularly. If we teach them to eat better, then a few sweets will not be devastating to their systems.

Bruce Passman: I certainly agree with your last statement. Students who eat healthy and make good choices can periodically make an informed decision about a “sweet” now and then. Much of this is about good choices and moderation. The goals that are being developed do address providing students with balanced meals rather than focusing on what they can’t eat. As an aside, our Food Service Department has done a great job of meeting food guidelines and also are committed to raising the bar for healthy eating.

Stacey,Lawrence: I just read the comments from Paul and I totally agree. I think that we need to move from structured “special” physical education class to a focus on activities that the students can pursue every day. I don’t know if you are aware, but recess is an endangered species at many elementary schools because of time needed for preparing for tests and taking tests. It does not appear that the district can incorporate both physical activity/recess and test prep/taking into the daily activities at a school.

Bruce Passman: That’s a real challenge for us, Stacey. Our teachers and principals, rightfully so, focus much of their time and energy on academic achievement. Recess, if it involves physical activity is important too, and is part of the achievement equation. We only have so many hours per day and days per year, so we are going to have to be a little creative in addressing both achievement and physical activity. Some teachers have figured this out and include movement in their classrooms while students are engaged in the teaching/learning process.

Betsy, Lawrence: Having treats at school for your birthday is somewhat a right of passage. How could we even consider the possibility of not allowing this happy time for our children?

Bruce Passman: I can understand your perspective, Betsy. I remember looking forward to those special days and treats when I was in school. We want to be sure that we are good models and have high expectations for healthy eating. We know that next to parents, teachers have the most influence on children. As educators, we want to model good practices and influence students in a positive way. Also, I think we could be looking for other means of recognizing those “happy times”.

Cindy from Lawrence: If parents are part of the answer, I am shocked that their main concern seems to be making sure that they can put cookies in lunches. Do you have any plans to educate parents and the community about the importance of good nutrition?

Bruce Passman: Great question, Cindy. The wellness policy grew out of the work of the district’s Coordinated School Health Council which includes a number of parents and professionals from our community. Our goal is to promote the components of coordinated school health. One of the eight components is Family/Community involvement. In this component we will be identify strategies to educate parent about good nutrition. Actually this is already happening to some extent now through the district’s health curriculum.

Amy, Lawrence: Regarding the concern of celebrations at awards ceremonies and parties, I have observed excessive amounts of sweets at school parties for the students AND for teachers alike. Some examples – kids are rewarded with things like candybars and fireball candies for doing well on a test. Also, teachers have luncheons that include sundaes, brownies, candy bars, etc… There are a number of healthy alternatives to celebrating without the use of food – I’d like to know what reactions you have received from teachers.

Bruce Passman: Teachers want the best for their students and recognize the value of this policy for promoting student and staff wellness. Like many of the parents who have sent in questions today, they have concerns about how the policy will be implemented. We’ll have a better perspective on this next follow when the goals and timelines are finalized.

Moderator: This next question will have to be our last of the day.

Amy, Lawrence: Where do we go to view the policy in its entirety? If the public wants to provide input, suggestions, how do we do that? Thanks!

Bruce Passman: Your input would be welcome and valued. Please provide me with your thoughts or ideas at bpassman@usd497.org. Likewise for anyone needing a copy of the proposed policy, please email Dawn Downing at ddowning@usd497.org.

Moderator: I’d like to thank our readers for participating today.

And Bruce, thanks for providing us with some insights on how this policy will be implemented.

Bruce Passman: I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to respond to questions today. As I mentioned in the last response, we encourage parents and community members to submit ideas, questions, and comments. In closing, I’d like to remind parents and community members that our aim is to focus on students’ needs in the area of nutrition, nutrition education and physical activity so that their learning in school is optimized.

Thanks for your interest in this important topic.