- Author: Araceli Delgadillo
- Editor: Emily Harris
On November 14th, 2016 UC CalFresh was invited to the Parent Coffee Hour at Rowell Elementary in Fresno. The parent coffee hour is a designated time when parents can meet with the school principal to ask questions, address concerns or participate in a presentation. Nutrition Program Coordinators, Araceli Delgadillo and Emily Harris, presented the “MyPlate Workshop.” There were 15 parents in attendance along with Rowell's principal, Alice McClintock. The parents learned about MyPlate and received tips to help them follow MyPlate guidelines. The parents also sampled Broccoli Cheddar Soup, and it was a hit! A nutrition series will be offered to the Rowell Elementary parents in the spring of 2017.
Below is the recipe that the parents tasted during the MyPlate workshop:
Image Source: http://aubonpain.com/menu/broccoli-cheddar
Cream of Broccoli Soup
Ingredients:
10 ounce package of frozen, chopped broccoli
1- 8 ounce can of carrots or drained mixed vegetables
1- 10 ounce can of cream of mushroom soup
1 ¼ cup of low fat milk
¼ to ½ cup of grated cheddar cheese
Directions:
- In a saucepan, prepare broccoli according to directions. Drain water.
- Add carrots, cream of mushroom soup, and one can of milk to the broccoli. Stir over low heat until vegetables are cooked and the mixture is steaming hot.
- Add cheese, stirring until melted.
- Serve hot. Refrigerate leftovers.
Recipe Source: https://whatscooking.fns.usda.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/cream-broccoli-soup-ii
- Author: Nath Say
Did you know that cotton is a food crop?! I didn't, but Mrs. Anderson's TK class at Rowell Elementary did!
According to the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations, cottonseed oil is used in products such as margarine, salad dressing, toothpaste, ice cream and cosmetics. Cotton production in Fresno County averages almost a million bales a year. (Fresno County Farm Bureau)
Cotton is just one of the many commodities that the TK class learned about when discussing agriculture in Fresno County and California. They also learned that Fresno County continues to be the top producing agricultural county in the nation. (Fresno County Farm Bureau)
Mrs. Anderson's class took the learning process a step further by creating a spectacular wall titled, “We Grow Food in Fresno County.” The wall showcased a Farmer's Market with a variety of fruits and vegetables such as grapes, tomatoes, and berries. Mrs. Anderson shared that this project was a great way to both inform students about the abundance of local foods that grow in their county and allowed them to connect the healthy foods to MyPlate.
Take a look at these impressive pictures of the classroom's Farmer's Market!
Wow- Look at the variety of delicious foods!
What fruits and vegetables do you see?
I see grapes, tomatoes, carrots, blueberries, and cotton!
Can you spot MyPlate?
Thank you to Mrs. Anderson and her students for their extraordinary work!
- Author: Nath Say
Step exercise is an excellent way to get the heart pumping while strengthening the leg muscles!
Providing steppers for 60 students may be a little pricey for teachers, but who needs steppers when your school has concrete planter boxes? Two teachers at Rowell Elementary improvised with what was available when it comes to stepping. Mrs. Mares and Mrs. Thao's 4th grade students made the most out of these four sided planters as each student was assigned a section to step on. The teachers led the classes by counting and stepping together.
Stepping is just one of the many ways the teachers incorporate physical activity throughout the day. The students also enjoy dance routines lead by Mrs. Mares.
Keep on stepping, Mrs. Mares and Mrs. Thao's class!
- Author: Nath Say
UC CalFresh offers monthly tastings for our teachers and students. During this time, students are given the opportunity to try a food that they have never tasted before.
Why not add additional learning opportunities into your next Tasting Time?!
Ms. Alcala and Mrs. Lopez's class took their tastings to the next level by incorporating writing and math skills.
Tell us how you incorporate math and writing skills into your classroom's tastings in the comments below.
- Author: Nath Say
Teachers, do you have your Nutrition Corner displayed in the class for the new school year?
This is a great way to reinforce nutrition education in the classroom. Contact your Nutrition Education Specialist for this resource.
