Health Education a High Priority at Ossining Schools

In any other circumstance most adults would discourage children from playing with their food. But when the Emmy Award-winning Foodplay Health and Nutrition program came to Ossining schools last week, it was just the opposite.

Aspiring juggling star, “Johnny Junkfood,” and his juggling coach, taught children about the importance of healthy eating through their onstage antics. The program, which came to Ossining’s Brookside, Claremont, Roosevelt and Park schools thanks to a grant from Ossining MATTERS, combines fun filled facts and audience engagement to get its message across to students.

During the hour-long performance, Johnny, the show’s main character, learns how to literally juggle the foods he eats to make a balanced diet by using the USDA’s new MyPlate food guide as an example. The show also teaches its young audience how to decipher nutrition labels by introducing the mantra, “read it, before you eat it.”

Park School Nurse Allison Perriott, who is also one of the wellness coordinators for the district, said even the district’s youngest students need to hear Foodplay’s message.

“It’s important to start early with the good nutrition message so our students learn to eat healthy and don’t develop bad eating habits,” Perriott said. “It’s also important for the kids to understand that when they’re home they should ask their parents for healthier foods.”

The Foodplay program is just one of many initiatives by the Ossining School District to encourage healthier lifestyles for its students and staff.  Starting in March, Ossining will begin a new partnership with Open Door Family Medical Center aimed at promoting health education throughout the district. 

As a result of the partnership, in late March the District will begin filming a healthy cooking show hosted by Park School’s physical education teacher. Called “Recipe Makeover with Mr. Imbimbo,” the show will teach viewers how to make traditional kids’ favorites like chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese in a healthy way.

Ossining’s Little School, the privately funded  program for three year olds that is housed at the Park School, also will benefit from the partnership with Open Door. It will bring “H is for Healthy,” a health education program featuring Sesame Street characters, to the Little School

“We’ve been the recipient of many grants from Ossining MATTERS and this has brought so much beauty and programming to a community that wouldn’t necessarily have these opportunities otherwise,” said Park Principal Carriann Sipos. “We’re excited now to be adding to our community partnerships through our new relationship with Open Door. ”