Philadelphia Primary School
Indian River Central School
Philadelphia, NY

This year, Philadelphia Primary School (Indian River School District) held their Team Nutrition Days on March 27-29th. Kelly Falgiano, Miss New York State, came and talked to our students about nutrition and the important part it plays in her life. She spent about two hours with the students. Everyone enjoyed her presence.
Miss New York Dairy Council was also here and went to each classroom and put on different demonstrations. There was also a milk machine here and samples of chocolate and whole milk were handed out.

Approximately 20 of our middle school students came from their classroom of Culinary Arts (Home and Careers). They put on a display of a correct way and a wrong way to set up a table. They also handed out samples from the food pyramid and had the students put them in the right place.

On the last day our students made taste samples of homemade bread and butter, cookies, fresh vegetables and dip, and cheese crackers and fresh fruit. On the junk side of food, one of our kindergarten classes made chocolate "dirt" cups. Another kindergarten class made homemade vegetable soup. All the students were able to participate in this and they also went around each classroom to try different samples.

Our third grade class wrote a report on creating their own recipes and different foods they could fix themselves.

Our milk companies, Byrns Dairy, donated milk and cheese, and Crowley donated yogurt and cottage cheese for everyone to sample.

On the last day we had a nutrition poster contest and handed out prizes for every student. We did face painting on all students and also on adults.

Everyone had a great time!

Ellen Thornton
Team Nutrition Leader

Philadelphia Primary School
Philadelphia, NY

Our Team Nutrition week was a great success. We had it during school hours instead of at night, so every student could be involved.
We started with a poster contest. Then, we had representatives from a local radio station, Froggy 97, come in. The radio announcer, Annie Miller, brought along her friend, dressed as a big frog. Annie sang and read to all the children about nutrition, and handed out coloring books. The children loved the whole program.

A group from our local BOCES Culinary Arts Class also came in. Some of the chefs served lunch, while the others put on a puppet show. Then, they made caterpillars out of string cheese and pretzels! The ambassador from the Dairy Council also came to visit. She went to each room to teach the children about milk and milk products.

The next day, we invited our local Cooperative Extension to teach a lesson on calcium. They handed out pamphlets and coloring books, and held a taste test on different milks. Our fourth graders made oatmeal cookies and pumpkin bread, and tried different foods. The younger children all planted seeds and had them on display. Second graders created a food pyramid, while third graders wrote a report on maple syrup after visiting the Sugar Shack.

Thanks to all the children for their hard work!

Ellen Thornton
Team Nutrition Leader

David J. Rausch
Principal