2010-2011 Accomplishments

Codman's 2010-2011 Nutrition Theme: Diabetes

1) Codman Academy earned the Gold-Level Massachusetts School Wellness Award for outstanding achievement in wellness. “Impressed with the high level of student involvement in your wellness program, your coordination with the Codman Health Center and the community, and the way in which [we] have created an exemplary whole-school approach to fostering wellness.”

2) This fall we weighed and measured every student at Codman as a part of the Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening Program. The data we collected was used to communicate to parents about their child’s BMI and we offered resources to those parents who requested it.

3) This winter 85% of our students participated in our free quick, safe Diabetes screening at Codman Square Health Center. This event was coordinated  to address our topic for the year, Type 2 Diabetes.  Type 2 Diabetes, like Hypertension, is dangerous but preventable.  Students' blood sugar levels were collected after a night of fasting. The data we collected was used to communicate to parents about their child’s blood sugar, and we offered resources to the parents of high risk children.  The rate of Diabetes is seven times higher among teenagers in our community.  Nationally, Type 2 Diabetes is much higher in African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans than any other group.  For these reasons, we believe that educating our students and community about type 2 Diabetes is imperative.

4) This winter we piloted our first individualized personal-training program for 5 students. These students have been classified as high health risk students through our health data collections.

5) This spring the Nutrition Action Club will launch the Junk Food Free Trimester campaign, where students, staff, parents, and community partners can pledge to abstain from Junk Food.  Our focus will be on reducing Type 2 Diabetes in the community. Our campaign will expand from one month to an entire trimester beginning on Monday, March 14 to Thursday, June 16.

6) We are adopting a Meatless Mondays Movement.

7) The school provides homemade healthy snacks every Monday and Wednesday at 4:30 pm.  Students participate in preparation.  Snacks have included fruit smoothies, homemade hummus and veggies, frozen yogurt, and innovative salads.