Celebrate the joyfulness of breakfast during the month of March! Breakfast is widely known for being the most important meal of the day. Research has shown how students who eat breakfast perform better academically and make healthier eating choices throughout the day. A Healthy breakfast enhances the energy kid’s use when they play at school. Healthi Kids continues to promote resources to support schools, students, and their families on their journeys towards a more active, healthier lifestyle. Here’s a resource that will help you implement fun ways to promote nutrition and physical activity as we celebrate National School Breakfast Week for the rest of the month of March! Click here to begin!

Healthi Kids continues to lead efforts to create a healthier and fairer Rochester food system for families and kids in school settings. We’re pleased that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced updates to the school nutrition standards. Schools across the country must implement the new standards by school year 2022-2023. As school districts continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, the USDA is working to ensure children continue to enjoy healthy meals while at school.

The following updates can be found on the Food and Nutrition Service website as follows:

Milk: Schools and child care providers serving participants ages six and older may offer flavored low-fat (1%) milk in addition to nonfat flavored milk and nonfat or low-fat unflavored milk.

Whole Grains: At least 80% of the grains served in school lunch and breakfast each week must be whole grain-rich.

Sodium: For school lunch only, there will be a 10% decrease in the limit starting in the 2023-2024 school year. The weekly sodium limit for school lunch and breakfast will remain at the current level for schools year 2022-2023.

For more information about the USDA updated nutrition standards for the upcoming school year click here.

Yes, it’s good to finally return to normal. Wouldn’t you agree? While this is true, it’s important to understand the new normal. This is why Healthi Kids continues to provide education about Covid-19. Check out our latest resource on School Masking Facts with the latest information to make the best decisions for your family.

We continue to work with the Finger Lakes Region Vaccine Hub to offer resources for vaccination that can help kids avoid serious illness or hospitalization if they contract Covid-19. Public health directors stress the importance of vaccinating kids ages 5 to 11. Recent data has shown that children who are vaccinated are less likely to be hospitalized for Covid-19 infections than children who are unvaccinated. Parents who have questions about the vaccine can get more information at www.GetYourAnswers.org and Finger Lakes Covid-19 Vaccine Hub.

The Monroe County Department of Planning is beginning to engage the public in Plan Forward, the first update to the County’s comprehensive plan in decades! Comprehensive plans help cities and counties map out their future projects, policies, and investments. By advocating for whole child health, communities can make sure that governments make decisions that support the physical, mental, and emotional health of all kids Monroe County.

For Rochester 2034, the City’s comprehensive plan, Healthi Kids successfully advocated for the plan to include play, safe places for kids to walk and bike, access to healthy food in neighborhoods, and other whole child health priorities.

Plan Forward is a great opportunity to tell Monroe County that they should focus on supporting kids and families! You can learn more and register to attend the next public meeting on Wednesday, March 30 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. by visiting the Plan Forward webpage here.

Healthi Kids Kid-History shines a spotlight on Rochester-area kids and teens who are actively exercising their creative, academic, and playful abilities while inspiring others in the community. Kids get a chance to see their accomplishments featured on Healthi Kids website and social media channels. Here’s a preview of several local history makers we’re acknowledging this month. To nominate a kid or a teen who is accomplishing goals and exercising their creative and academic abilities while inspiring others, click here.

Black Girls Rock! A motto so fitting for this multi-talented kid who co-authored a book and quickly added slime to her resume. Ja’lynn’s business ventures even resulted in her meeting another Black Girl who Rocks (and is also married to a famous rapper from New York).

Whether performing on stage or in the soccer field, this scholar understands the importance of giving it all you’ve got! Click below to read more about how Joel’s character traits contributes to his success.

“Create the change you wish to see,” is a quote that resonates with this entrepreneur who established a brand new school club after learning it didn’t exist during his freshmen year of high school. Click below to read about how Tejon created an opportunity for his classmates to voice their concerns while embracing Black culture.

This super kid is a shining star with many talents. Ask her classmates and teachers and they'll admit to absolutely enjoying her amazing energy and positive spirit. Click below to read more about how Gennie’s talents and academic success inspires those who cross her path.

Teaching financial literacy can be challenging. Read more about how these two siblings are leveling up their skills and using their candy business as a platform to teach their peers about financial literacy. Scroll down and click below to read about Shawn and La'Lah.

“The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are,” is a quote by Maya Angelou that’s super fitting for this young leader. Click below to read more about why Amere values history and Black culture.

Caring for family and preparing for success is the focus for this Black scholar. DeAsia just recently accepted to a HBCU (Historically Black College and University) in North Carolina. Click below to read more about how DeAsia manages to excel despite misfortunes.

Congratulations to the ROC the Future Alliance for successfully engaging 50 local youth who can use their voice to help make Rochester a healthier community.

ROC the Future’s Alliance’s Youth Leadership Coalition will host a youth summit at Rochester Museum and Science Center on Saturday, March 12. The first annual event will engage 50 Monroe County youth leaders.

Youth summit participants will learn how to of prioritize their physical, mental and social-emotional wellbeing. The summit is an opportunity for youth to amplify their leadership skills. Youth will also share their stories and experiences to inform the decisions and choices government officials have the power to influence.

Related Stories

More children need to get vaccinated against Covid-19—Common Ground Health, March 10

Local organization helping refugees in Rochester build child care businesses –Rochester First, March 8

RIT/NTID offering in-person summer programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing middle school and high school students—RIT, March 8

Children’s Agenda survey highlights struggles parents face in Monroe County—WXXI News, March 9

Rochester pediatricians seeing more colds, stomach bug in schools, day care—13 WHAM, March 9

36% rise locally I eating disorders among children, adolescents during pandemic – Rochester First, February 21

March 2022

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