McCrary students earn USDA grant
On Thursday, June 9th, Mathis Cuttris-Curtis and her classmates received a special award during the awards program at Charles W. McCrary School. Mathis and a team of classmates received a certificate for the work they did in writing a grant to apply for the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the 2011-2012 school year. It was then announced McCrary was chosen to receive the grant.
Asheboro City Schools Child Nutrition dietitian, Chris McCormick, presented Mathis, the team of grant writers, and the entire fourth grade class the Giraffe Award. This award is typically given to a child nutrition staff, but this year it was felt that these students stuck their necks out, taking a risk in letting an idea of developing a plan to help students become healthier be a reality. The challenge of writing a grant is no small task and their enduring efforts were appreciated.
Ms. Belote, Mathis’s fourth grade teacher, was acknowledged for inspiring the student to put their ideas into action. She was the one that challenged her class to think of a project to help students become healthier. As they were brainstorming, one student mentioned having more fruits and vegetables available to eat during the school day. When Ms. Belote asked how they would purchase the fruits and vegetables, Mathis suggested they write a grant. She explained to her classmates a grant is a report you write to ask for money to fund a project. Mathis and a team of classmates went on to learn about grant writing and decided to apply for the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant for the 2011-2012 school year.
A student survey was developed by Ms. Belote’s class showing 93% of the students at McCrary Elementary wanted to see the school be awarded this grant. The students felt the increased availability of fresh fruit and vegetables would provide nourishment including vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in their diet outside of school. It would help prevent students getting hungry throughout the day, helping them to stay focused on the lessons being taught. They felt healthy snacks would be better than sugary type snacks.
To help students become more familiar with certain types of fresh fruits and vegetables, the students plan to create commercials and skits. Creating ways to focus more on fruits and vegetables will align with the new 2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization, which includes increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables. The students also have developed a plan to promote and market the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables to the students and informing parents and the community.
The grant requires partnership within the school, the school district and community volunteers. Support is being offered by the principal, PE teacher, school nurse, cafeteria staff, Child Nutrition Director and dietitian, Girls on the Run, a program provided at McCrary Elementary, and the PTO. Community collaboration includes the Randolph County Health Department, First United Methodist Church, and the Randolph County Cooperative Extension, to name just a few.
Next year the students at McCrary Elementary will have a chance to try new and unusual fresh fruits and vegetables. They will have the opportunity to learn why we need to eat at least 5-9 fruits and vegetables each day, and how to improve their health.