The Hanover Public School District recognizes that wellness and proper nutrition are related to students’ physical well-being, growth, development, and achievement. As stated in Hanover’s Wellness Policy, the goal of nutrition education is to teach, encourage and support healthy eating by students. Promoting student health and nutrition enhances readiness for learning and increases student achievement.

This fall, students at Hanover High School were able to choose certain nutrition topics they wanted to learn more about and sports nutrition was selected. On November 18^th, 2019, Framingham State University student dietitian Lauren Burkley taught 9-12^th grade physical education students how to maximize physical performance through food. During the “Sports Nutrition” lesson, student athletes from a wide range of sports learned the importance of fueling for physical activity, how timing of meals impacts performance, and the proper way to stay hydrated. While the majority of the lesson was geared towards athletes, all students benefitted from discussing the principles of MyPlate, and healthier food choices. Students tested their knowledge in a game of Jeopardy and came up with specific snacks and meals to help get the physical results they desire.

Through Framingham State’s Coordinated Program in Dietetics, student dietitians like Lauren are able to visit multiple schools within the districts of Massachusetts to provide nutrition education that meet each district’s wellness goals.

The Hanover Food Service webpage provides additional information to the district on nutrition and fitness for all audiences. Check out The John C. Stalker Institute’s Resource Center for more nutrition-based resources and lesson plans to incorporate in your school district.

Submitted by: Lauren Burkley, FSU Food and Nutrition Student in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics