Shrewsbury High experiences 'Ultimate School Restyle'
By Mary Pritchard Contributing Writer

(l to r) Lisa Burnett, RD, LDN, SNS, school nutrition specialist with New England Dairy and Food Council; Pat Patriot, New England Patriots' mascot; Beth Nichols, director of Food Services of Shrewsbury Public Schools; Delores Nadeau, member of the food service staff; PHOTOS/MARY PRITCHARD and celebrity chef Jon Ashton prepare for a kick-off event celebrating the Shrewsbury High School's Ultimate School Restyle Aug. 28.

Shrewsbury - The Shrewsbury High School (SHS) cafeteria celebrated a grand reopening of sorts on the first day of school Aug. 28. In an effort to promote healthy eating, support the local wellness policy, and help fight childhood obesity, the school participated in a "school health makeover," referred to as an Ultimate School Restyle (USR).

The restyle project involved giving the school a health make-over with local support from New England Dairy and Food Council, Garelick Farms, Cabot Cheese and the administration and staff of Shrewsbury Public Schools.

To kick off the new and improved cafeteria experience, celebrity chef Jon Ashton and Pat Patriot, the New England Patriots' mascot, greeted students and staff at lunch.

Shrewsbury High School Seniors Michael Okayka and Jawad Yatim with Pat Patriot, the New England Patriots' mascot.

"The kids enjoyed the kick-off event and our school is looking forward to sustained results in cafeteria traffic due to the Ultimate School Restyle," said Beth Nichols, director of Food Services of Shrewsbury Public Schools.

"Since our kick-off event took place on the first day of school, I wanted to make sure that the cafeteria was well stocked with healthy meal and beverage items, and even had my staff overstock items," she added. "We sold out of almost everything. If these results continue, this means that more children are eating healthier. The USR has helped us to bring our school meals program to the next level. We have more space and there are many opportunities for children to choose healthy foods."

Seven test schools across the country were selected to partner with regional Dairy Councils to restyle their environment during the summer break, to encourage healthier food and beverage choices.

Lisa Burnett is a school nutrition specialist with the New England Dairy and Food Council who also came to the kick-off event at SHS.

"The program's goal is to encourage healthier eating choices, specifically nutrientrich dairy," Burnett said, "with improved product availability, promotion and education about the health benefits of consuming three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products each day in addition to the other 'Food Groups to Encourage' (whole grains, fruits and vegetables) as recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

"Shrewsbury High School was selected [for the USR project] due to their previous exceptional eff orts to improve the school wellness environment," Burnett said.