INFORMATIONAL

  In 1995, the USDA announced a Team Nutrition Schools
  initiative to assist students in learning about food,
  nutrition, and making healthful food choices and to help
  school personnel provide school meals that meet the Dietary
  Guidelines for Americans.  (Superintendents Informational
  Memo No. 167, December 15, 1995).  Since the announcement in
  1995, more than 16,000 schools have volunteered to be a part
  of this initiative.  In Virginia there are approximately 100
  Team Nutrition schools.

  The Team Nutrition Schools initiative is part of a strategic
  plan to improve school meals and promote the health and
  education of children as described in the attached mission
  statement and principles. It is self-monitoring and there
  are no reporting or audit requirements.  Parents, staff, and
  community members contribute to this initiative.  The
  Virginia Cooperative Extension Service is taking an active
  part in linking communities to Team Nutrition Schools.   The
  wealth of experience and expertise which extension agents
  offer in nutrition education can be invaluable in working
  with students.

  Successful participation in Team Nutrition Schools depends
  on the leadership provided in each school.   As a school
  joins the Team Nutrition initiative, a Team Nutrition Leader
  or coordinator is designated.  Each school will receive a
  Resource Kit containing nutrition education and marketing
  materials listed in an attachment.  In addition, excellent
  classroom educational materials, developed by Scholastic,
  Inc., will be provided to schools until the supply is
  depleted.  An informational brochure about Team Nutrition
  Schools to school nutrition program directors/contacts
  should be received in the next few weeks.

  The week of May 5-9, 1997, has been designated Team
  Nutrition Days.  Projects for this week will be designed to
  demonstrate the relationship of agriculture and nutrition to
  a healthful diet.  Team Nutrition Leaders will receive the
  materials in March.  Materials for Team Nutrition Day will
  be sent to Team Nutrition schools in March.

  Initially, schools joined the Team Nutrition effort
  individually; however, to reduce paperwork and facilitate
  school participation, each superintendent may enroll all
  schools at one time.  The forms and sample letters for the
  application are included in the attachments.  Send
  enrollment forms to: Team Nutrition Schools, P. O. Box 0812,
  Rockville, MD 20848-0812.

  February is National Team Nutrition sign-up month.  We
  encourage you to join this effort to enhance nutrition
  education experiences  and to promote healthful school
  meals.  If you would like additional information concerning
  this initiative, please contact Dr. Jane Logan, Director,
  School Nutrition Programs or Marlene Culpepper, Nutrition
  Specialist at (804) 225-2074, or the Mid-Atlantic Regional
  Office, USDA 609-259-5098. 


  RTL/idl

  Attachments: A hard copy of this memo and its attachments
               will be sent to the superintendent's office.