April 19, 2024

Wellness Coalition looking to provide snacks at schools

By Jamee A

Newton Wellness Coalition Member Jenny Thompson is one member leading the group on a project to help provide snacks for every kindergartner in the Newton Community School District by applying for a grant with the United Way of Jasper County. (Jamee A)

Following a discussion at a previous meeting, the Newton Wellness Coalition took steps to move forward with the idea of providing snacks at the local schools.

Coalition member Jenny Thompson said the group had begun the process of applying for a grant from the United Way of Jasper County.

“Our goal is to provide snacks for all of the kindergarten students in the Newton community schools,” Thompson said.

The snacks would be for every kindergarten student, every day throughout the entire school year. The group also talked about a possible summer option for kids as well.

“We decided to pick kindergarten to start their first year off in school on a good note,” coalition member Nathan Unsworth said.

A letter of intent for a $9,000 request was accepted and now the coalition will move forward with the application process. An evaluation is set to go out to current teachers asking questions about the snack program currently in place, the financial burden it can be on the teachers and if the teachers notice any hunger-related issues within the classroom.

The group is also working with the school to get an approximate number of students in kindergarten and ideas of what snacks would be acceptable.

Along with the snacks, the group is planning an educational component. Ideas to provide education on the topic include wellness words with definitions the teacher could read allowed and a possible assembly focused on all elements of wellness.

Another idea from the group was to have the kids make a snack themselves on occasion, providing a hands on approach that can be an effective learning tool.

The first component of the grant application is due at the beginning of December with the final decision not coming until after the first of the new year. If approved, the coalition would work to provide the snacks for the 2016-2017 school year.

“It really is a need to be met in our community,” Thompson said.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com