Editorial: For our students’ health

Sunday, July 9, 2006 | 7:40 a.m.

Twice now since late May, Nevada has received national recognition for a positive accomplishment relating to its schools. The latest recognition came June 20, when the Center for Science in the Public Interest announced it was awarding the state a B-plus for the quality of food sold and served on its campuses.

And on May 24, Nevada was recognized by the Union of Concerned Scientists for reducing pollution from school buses. Nevada shared top honors throughout the country with just four other states.

Nevada began its statewide nutritional turnaround last year when the state Board of Education adopted a policy, which took effect in January, that limits the availability of candy, soda and other junk food in schools.

As for the Clark County School District, its nutritional turnaround began two years ago with a crackdown on the junk food that dominated all other choices in school vending machines. The School Board, concerned about rising obesity among Clark County students, and convinced that ready access all day to sugary treats was at least partly to blame for disappointing scores on standardized tests, adopted a nutrition policy that began with the 2004 fall semester.

Only Kentucky now scores better than Nevada in serving healthy foods in its schools, according to a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington-based nonprofit organization that has been monitoring national nutrition trends for 35 years. Kentucky received an A-minus, while Nevada and four other states received B-pluses. Seven states received B's or B-minuses, the District of Columbia received a C, 14 states received either C's or D's, and 23 states received F's.

In addition to upgrading nutrition requirements, the state Board of Education also ruled that, beginning with the 2007 school year, districts must ensure that students get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day.

We are glad Nevada is doing better in providing healthier experiences for our students. We believe this will translate into better grades and longer, happier and healthier lives.