Applications for 2010-2011 Nutrition Education Programs are Available!

Power Panther Pals Primary Level (grades K-2) & Power Panther Pals Intermediate Level (grades 3-5)

These health education programs combine classroom lessons, physical activity, and cooking/tasting activities to teach students the benefits of making healthy choices. To learn more about this program, use the Power Panther drop-down menu above or directly access the Power Panther Pals Application Information Packet. To apply, type directly into the Power Panther Pals Application, print, sign and return it to KSDE.

Power Up!

This 9-week health education program for middle school students (grades 6-8) includes nutrition education, cooking/tasting activities, physical activity, and self-esteem builders. To apply, type directly into the Power Up Application, then print, sign and return to KSDE.

Family Fun, Food & Fitness Event

Mini grant funding is available for fall 2010 and spring 2011. This program includes a guidebook and mini-grant funding to host a school-wide wellness event. To learn more about the Family Fun, Food & Fitness initiative, click on the Family Events drop-down menu above. To apply, type directly into the Family Fun, Food & Fitness Event Application, then print, sign and return to KSDE.

Power Panther Professionals

This 12-week staff wellness program designed for school and child care center personnel provides a flexible framework from which a site can build and customize its own staff wellness program. To learn more about this program, use the Power Panther drop-down menu above. To apply, type directly into the Power Panther Professionals Application, then print, sign and return to KSDE.

Eat Smart! Play Hard! Learn Better!

The USDA’s Team Nutrition is an integrated, behavior based, comprehensive plan for promoting the nutritional health of the nation’s children.  This plan involves schools, parents, and the community in efforts to continuously improve school meals, and to promote the health and education of 50 million school children in more than 96,000 schools nationwide. 

The goal of Team Nutrition is to improve children’s lifelong eating and physical activity habits through nutrition education based on the principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid for Kids.

Team Nutrition focuses on five specific behavior outcomes:

1. Eat a variety of foods
2. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains
3. Eat lower fat foods more often
4. Get your calcium-rich foods
5. Be physically active

Kansas Team Nutrition is actively working to promote a number of health education programs to support schools’ wellness policy goals.   Currently, Kansas Team Nutrition supports Power Panther Pals, Power Panther Professionals,
Body Venture, and Family Fun, Food & Fitness Events.  In addition, Kansas Team Nutrition Schools have access to health education resources and personalized technical assistance.

Kansas Team Nutrition is focused on continuing to support implementation of school wellness policy goals and academic achievement by nurturing healthier students and a healthy school environment.   

This is a link to USDA's Team Nutrition resources.