Lake Orion Schools is working to get a federally-mandated, district-wide wellness policy in place by next July, and took the first step by taking pop machines out of the high school in 2004.
‘We discontinued carbonated beverages which were only sold at the high school,? said Lake Orion Schools Food Services Director Marla Ernst. ‘We replaced them with bottled water and juice.?
Ernst said after the machines were first removed, there were some complaints. But after the first two months, she said there was a big jump in bottled water sales at the school.?
‘We decided if we’re going to do something (in Lake Orion), let’s do the pop,? said Ernst. ‘We had to decide between the money (brought in by the contracting with soda pop manufacturers) and providing healthier choices for the kids.?
However, some students say the district is sending a mixed message by taking the pop machines out of the main level of the school, but leaving one near the athletic office and fieldhouse.
‘I think it’s hypocritical,? said senior Jessica Monterosso.
Senior Hannah Henry agreed.
‘If they are taking (pop) out, they should take it out completely,? she said.
Other students noted that the school store, run by students taking business classes, still sells energy drinks. Ernst said she’s spoken with the students there, and they have agreed to stop selling pop.
‘As part of the (district-wide) policy,? she said. ‘The policy is to promote student health and help eliminate childhood obesity.?
Although Lake Orion Schools didn’t have a policy in writing before, Ernst said it’s alway been their goal to provide healthier school meals.
‘We’re trying to still offer things that are suitable to the majority,? Ernst said. ‘It’s difficult to please everybody.?
She said a few years ago was when the district first heard talk about the schools? offering healthier choices.
‘We have a problem in this country with obesity,? said Ernst. ‘From the USDA and the federal government, we’ve gotten the mandate to change the ‘climate? in the schools, and help kids make healhier choices.?
Changes have not only been made at the high school, but at the district’s elementary and middle schools as well.
‘At the elementary level we advertise an extra serving of fruit and vegetables available at no additional charge to anyone purchasing a school lunch,? Ernst said. ‘We offer a choice of fresh fruit and vegetables daily at all the schools.?
Salad bars have been added at the high school and three middle schools and candy is no longer sold.
‘We eliminated selling candy this school year,? said Ernst. ‘And we changed to baked chips. We also reduced the size of the fries at the high school to just a small serving.?
The high school now also offers combos such as soup and sandwich or sandwich and salad.
‘We still sell cookies at the elementary schools, but we went to a smaller size, from 2.5 ounces to one ounce,? said Ernst.
Sophomore Kathleen Van Fossan said she thinks the schools should do away with greasier options like hamburgers and fries all together.
‘That’s the stuff that kills you,? she said.
‘If they have taken out the pop, they should maybe have one line that is all healthy food choices,? said sophomore Krystle Karnofsky, who said she does take advantage of the healthier options.
Senior Tom Lagona said before last August, he was drinking pop at school during the day.
‘I drink more water now,? he said.
Ernst said she gets most of her feedback from the elementary level and that she has noticed a ‘slow change? happening in the elementary and middle schools.
‘At the high school, there’s always a population looking for healthier choices,? she said. ‘And then there are kids who will always look for junk food.
‘Our job is to convince them to try the healthier choices,? Ernst said.