Wellness in the Schools (WITS) is a not-for-profit, national organization that provides public school students and parents with nutrition and fitness education. Their vision is to simply end childhood obesity by teaching students and parents how to make healthy eating choices and develop a realistic fitness routine that fits their lifestyle.
This organization has partnered with PS/MS 95 to bring their level of expertise into our school by implementing the WITS Labs, WITS CAFÉ and WITS BITS. Each one of these programs has a unique purpose, and is geared to increasing healthy eating in many ways. We also have our own chef, Mr. Kent Gifford, who is a trained culinary graduate.
- WITS LAB – This is a WITS chef led cooking class. The main goal is to educate students on how to cook healthy meals. The chef uses seasonal ingredients and provides a recipe to follow that is both simple and affordable. Students are encouraged to share the recipes and nutritional information with their parents.
- WITS CAFÉ - The WITS chef works in conjunction with the school’s Wellness Committee to enhance the cafeteria’s menu through the application of cooking healthy lunch options from scratch and an expanded salad bar. Their job is to educate school cafeteria staff in basic culinary skills and cooking with fresh ingredients instead of processed foods. Their primary goal is to have healthier food options for students in order to instill life-long healthy eating habits.
- WITS BITS – The core of this program are 20-minute classroom lesson plans for teachers that focus on basic nutrition concepts. Lessons include: examining and comparing the sugar content level of popular drinks, learning about the fat content in processed foods, and awareness of serving sizes.
This organization has partnered with PS/MS 95 to bring their level of expertise into our school by implementing the WITS Labs, WITS CAFÉ and WITS BITS. Each one of these programs has a unique purpose, and is geared to increasing healthy eating in many ways. We also have our own chef, Mr. Kent Gifford, who is a trained culinary graduate.
- WITS LAB – This is a WITS chef led cooking class. The main goal is to educate students on how to cook healthy meals. The chef uses seasonal ingredients and provides a recipe to follow that is both simple and affordable. Students are encouraged to share the recipes and nutritional information with their parents.
- WITS CAFÉ - The WITS chef works in conjunction with the school’s Wellness Committee to enhance the cafeteria’s menu through the application of cooking healthy lunch options from scratch and an expanded salad bar. Their job is to educate school cafeteria staff in basic culinary skills and cooking with fresh ingredients instead of processed foods. Their primary goal is to have healthier food options for students in order to instill life-long healthy eating habits.
- WITS BITS – The core of this program are 20-minute classroom lesson plans for teachers that focus on basic nutrition concepts. Lessons include: examining and comparing the sugar content level of popular drinks, learning about the fat content in processed foods, and awareness of serving sizes.
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Happy Fall to The PS/MS 95 Community
From Wellness In The Schools! We are back in the swing of things at PS/MS 95. The students have returned ready for a new school year and their appetites for learning and nutrition are clear from my recent visits to the school cafeteria. I am excited to bring two of our newest WITS Labs to students this year, who will have the opportunity to make Apple Cheddar Melts and Curried Cauliflower Soup with me throughout the year! This year is an exciting one as our partners at OFNS have diversified our Alternative Lunch menu, and offer a variety of new entrees and chicken dishes. As always fresh fruit and vegetable offerings and a variety of dressings can be found on our student Salad Bars, whose offerings change to accommodate toppings for pizzas and burgers. Please encourage your child to visit the salad bar at school! In addition to my engagement with students in the cafeteria and during WITS Labs, I also work to encourage a school environment that promotes health and wellness through food. One way I do this in collaboration with the school community is through our monthly Wellness Committee meetings. If you are interested in promoting health and wellness in PS/MS 95 please contact the parent coordinator, Katherine Luis. Should you need to get in touch, I can be reached at: [email protected]. I look forward to sharing a year of good food and good health with the PS/MS 95 school community! Yours in health, Chef Ricardo |
Chef Ricardo preparing a healthy meal with a student.
Students in the cafeteria learning about healthy meals.
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