N.Y. Gov. Eliot Spitzer's Healthy Food Act would eliminate soda and most junk food that is sold in schools and set limits for fat, sugar and salt contents from items on the lunchroom menu. It would also promote exercise, requiring 30 minutes a day of recess for children in the primary grades on days when gym isn't scheduled and a required lunch period for busy high-schoolers.
The Governor has also recommended: 1. it would be forbidden to give children detention or other disciplinary action during recess and 2. the bill would prohibit teachers from using food or drink as a punishment or reward.
Are you wondering how to deal with discipline issues if you can't take away recess? A listing of 60 Alternatives to Withholding Recess can be downloaded from the Jan. 2007 issue of the Play Nice Newsletter from the Peaceful Playgrounds website.
