Nutrition Education in the Elementary Schools

DINE for LIFE provides nutrition education in 12 elementary schools in Durham County and includes the following:

1. Custom designed nutrition curriculum: The core component of the DINE in the elementary schools is an eight lesson curriculum. It is revised annually to reflect results of pre- and post-screenings and the changing needs of the Durham community. All resources used for lessons are designed in-house or adapted from those of other states or organizations. The curriculum includes three different grade appropriate curricula based on the Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid:

• Kindergarten - 1st Grade
• 2nd - 3rd Grade
• 4th - 5th Grade

Each lesson includes:

• Taste tests: offered with the goal of introducing students to new, healthy foods.
• Educational reinforcements: items such as calculators to help students understand energy balance are given to students to reinforce messages taught during each lesson.
• Student/Parent handouts: information and activity sheets distributed to parents and student to reinforce lesson messages.

*** Disclaimer: The curriculum is available to the public, but it is highly recommended that it be taught only by Registered Dietitians, recognized experts in the field of nutrition. While the lessons may seem simple and self explanatory, questions that arise during lessons should be addressed by a trained professional to provide participants with the most accurate and up-to-date nutrition information.

2. School Wellness Programs: To further tackle the obesity epidemic, DINE nutritionists are involved in school wellness activities such as:

• Wellness committees: DINE nutritionists serve as both committee members and chairs of school wellness committees. In collaboration with school staff and parents, DINE nutritionists take an active role in reinforcing the school wellness policy by encouraging healthy snacks in schools, non-food rewards, and not taking away recess as a punishment.
• Smart Steps walking program: Initiated by the DINE program as part of school wellness, Smart Step is a walking program designed to get students and faculty moving through friendly competition. 

3. Gardening Programs: Taking nutrition outside the classroom, DINE nutritionists use gardening programs to teach students where fruits and vegetables come from and how to use these foods to make healthy recipes. Additionally, gardening programs add physical activity to student's days.