All Rhode Island elementary, middle and junior high schools that sell or distribute beverages and snacks on their premises, including those sold through vending machines, shall be required to offer healthier beverages effective January 1, 2007, and healthier snacks effective January 1, 2008 as defined in chapter 16-21.

        Schools may permit the sale of beverages and snacks that do not comply with the above paragraph as part of school fundraising in

           (1) The items are sold by pupils of the school and the sale of those items takes place off and away from the premises of the school.

           (2) The items are sold by pupils of the school and the sale of those items takes place one hour or more after the end of the school

  (1) "Healthier beverages" shall be defined as:

        (a) Water, including carbonated water, flavored or sweetened with one hundred percent (100%) fruit juice and containing no added

        (b) Two percent (2%) fat milk, one percent (1%) fat milk, nonfat milk, and dairy alternatives, such as fortified soy beverages; plain or

        (c) One hundred percent (100%) fruit juice or fruit based drinks that are composed of no less than fifty percent (50%) fruit juice and

        (d) Vegetable-based drinks that are composed of no less than fifty percent (50%) vegetable juice and have no added sweetener.

  (2) "Healthier snacks" shall be defined as:

        (a) Individually sold portions of nuts, nut butters, seeds, eggs, and cheese packaged for individual sale, fruit, vegetables that have not

        (b) Individually sold portions of low fat yogurt with not more than four (4) grams of total carbohydrates (including both naturally

        (c) Individually sold enriched or fortified grain or grain product; or whole grain food items that meet all of the following standards

                  (i) Not more than thirty percent (30%) of its total calories shall be from fat.

                  (ii) Not more than ten percent (10%) of its total calories shall be from saturated fat.

                  (iii) Not more than seven (7) grams of total sugar (includes both naturally occurring and added sugars) per ounce.

     (3) "Added sweetener" shall mean any additive, including natural or artificial additives that enhances the sweetness of the beverage,

     (4) "Snack" means a food that is generally regarded as supplementing a meal, including, but not limited to: chips, crackers, onion

The Departments of Education and Health will be providing technical assistance to districts and schools to help them meet this mandate in the coming months.

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Is Your Physical Education Program Ready to Prevent Obesity?

According to a recent survey by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), many parents, concerned about escalating childhood obesity rates and the rise of Type II diabetes, see daily physical activity as key to optimal health and academic success. Over 76% think more school physical education could help control or prevent childhood obesity.

Does your school physical education program help students develop the health-related fitness, motor skills and knowledge so that they can adopt healthy and physically active lifestyles? This new school year the NASPE urges principals, teachers and parents to conduct a self-study of their school’s physical education program--evaluate its strengths and weaknesses and then encourage a plan for improvement where needed. Here are 10 quick questions to ask:

1.  Is physical education taught by a qualified teacher with a degree in physical education? Yes ? No ?

2.  Do students receive formal instruction in physical education for a minimum of 150 minutes per week (elementary) and

     225 minutes per week (middle and high)? Yes ? No ?

3.  Is the physical education class size about 25-30 to ensure safe, effective instruction? Yes ? No ?

4.  Is there adequate equipment for every student to participate? Yes ? No?

5.  Is technology incorporated on a regular and continuing basis? Yes ?No ?

6.  Are indoor and outdoor facilities adequate and safe? (so that physical

     education classes need not be displaced for other activities) Yes ? No?

7.  Is there a written, sequential curriculum based on the national and/or

     state standards for physical education? Yes ? No ?

8.  Is assessment of student learning included in the physical education

     program, and is it related to meaningful content objectives? Yes ? No ?

9.  Does the program provide for maximum participation and successful learning for every student? Yes ? No ?

10.Does the program help to systematically develop the physical, cognitive and social –emotional aspects of the whole

     student? Yes ? No ?