SeDoMoCha recognized as a healthier school

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Due in part to the expanded school lunch menu, providing students with more healthy foods to fill their plates, and offering programs on proper diet and how to stay active, the SeDoMoCha School received the Healthier U.S. School Challenge bronze award.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    A HEALTHIER SEDOMOCHA — The SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft was presented with the Healthier U.S. School Challenge bronze award during a ceremony on June 10. Holding the banner is RSU 68 Food Services Director Kandilynn Hartford, right, and Danielle Spencer of the food services. Representing some fruits and vegetables are, from left, eighth-graders Jessica Moore, Abigail Simpson, Ally Scuderi, Hannah Fishburn and Jordan Marshall.

    “Those of you here know lots of changes were made to the school lunch menu,” RSU 68 Food Services Director Kandilynn Hartford told the elementary and middle school students gathered in the gymnasium for the award presentation on June 10. Over the last year-plus an increased number of healthier foods have been added to the SeDoMoCha meals, such as a greater variety of fruits and vegetables with much of it locally grown, to help provide nutrients the students may not otherwise get.
    Those in attendance then heard about the nutritional benefits of healthy foods as a quintet of eighth-graders, Hannah Fishburn, Jordan Marshall, Jessica Moore, Ally Scuderi and Abigail Simpson, performed a short skit, with each holding a large cutout of a fruit or vegetable.
    “How many of you have tried a new food this school year?,” asked Stephanie Stambach MS.RD.LD, who is a representative of the Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Department. After nearly every hand went up, Stambach said, “The reason for this is because of the Healthier U.S. School Challenge.
    “Part of the reason for receiving this award is for providing healthier school meals and providing educational programs on healthy foods, and there is a physical education component.” Stambach added that only about 6 percent of schools in the country have received an award from the Healthier U.S. School Challenge.
    The program is a voluntary national certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. It supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign by recognizing schools that are creating healthier environments through their promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Sponsored by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the initiative encourages all schools to take a leadership role in helping students to make healthier eating and physical activity choices that will last a lifetime.
    “There is 600-700 students at this school and it is difficult to find something that you all like,” Stambach said. She then presented certificates to the food services staff, which includes Sheva Anderson, Joanne Dame, Emlyn Fanjoy, Katie Gregory, Melissa Higgins, Lori Sharrow and Danielle Spencer. Also presented with certificates was Hartford, who Stambach said worked very hard on the award application, and school nurse Emily Poland and physical education teacher Ashley Jackins.
    “I also think we should give a round of applause to your health teachers and your physical education teachers,” Stambach said. She said a pair of plaques will be presented to the school, to post in both cafeterias, to recognize it as a Healthier U.S. School Challenge Bronze Award winner.