Healthy eating matters for ISTEP

Making sure students eat healthy meals and snacks is just one way Fort Wayne Community Schools is preparing our children to do their best on ISTEP+. As students take the exams starting Monday, schools had the option of ordering healthy snacks from the district's Nutrition Services to get them through the high-stakes tests. Seventeen schools are taking advantage of the opportunity, offering fresh fruit, animal crackers, Nutri-Grain bars, milk, juice and other healthy snack choices. It is important for students to be well nourished for all educational activities. By eliminating the distraction of hunger, they will be able to concentrate better and have more energy to get through the test days. FWCS Nutrition Services is also a partner with America On the Move-Fort Wayne, which is now promoting September, a month-long celebration highlighting the benefits of active living and healthy eating. In addition to eating right, exercising will also help students as they test their knowledge. Taking a break to run, skip, jump and play is a great way to relieve stress. Parents can help their children do well on the exams, which will be given Sept. 17-21 with make-up testing the following week, by: - Making sure their children eat - and eat right - at home. - Making sure their children go to bed early and get enough sleep. - Avoiding putting pressure on children about taking the test. They should be encouraged to do well, but not made to feel anxious. Parents can find more information on healthy eating at healthy snacks at the FWCS Nutrition Services Web site at http://foodservice.fwcs.k12.in.us/Wellness.htm. On that page is a link to Healthy School Snacks.