Senator Roth Visits Award-Winning Middle School

Senator Richard Roth visited students and staff at Wells Middle School in Riverside today to hear how access to healthy meals and increased physical activity is helping students lead healthier lives – inside and outside of the classroom. Sen. Roth toured the school’s state-of-the-art kitchen space and got his hands dirty in the vegetable garden, which was planted and is tended daily by students. He even dropped in on a physical education (PE) class.

In California and across the U.S., more than one-third of children and adolescents are classified as being overweight or obese. Further, obesity is now a leading medical disqualifier for military service. In addition to his leadership in the California Legislature, as a retired U.S. Air Force Major General, Sen. Roth is also a member of Mission: Readiness.

“Nutritious food and daily physical activity go a long way towards keeping the body and mind sound and ready for the day, whatever your mission in life may be,” Sen. Roth added.

The visit occurred during National Nutrition Month, to highlight the steps district nutritionists and the kitchen staff at Wells Middle School have taken to meet national nutrition standards and serve appealing, nutritious meals and snacks to middle school students, typically between the ages of 11-14. The USDA regulations stipulate schools must serve more whole grains and less sodium and fat.

“At Alvord Unified Schools, our goal is to help students lead long and healthy lives,” said Superintendent Dr. Obermeyer. “We’re proud of what is taking place here at Wells. They’re experimenting with new recipes, involving the students in menu planning and offering an array of fresh fruit and vegetable options, which has been shown to encourage kids to try new items every day.”

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation recognized the school as one of “America’s Healthiest Schools” for their outstanding efforts. One of only 10 schools nationwide to achieve Gold Level recognition, Wells Middle School is exceeding federal nutrition standards for school meals and snacks and providing students with structured physical education that far exceeds the required minutes, along with options for participation in additional opportunities for physical activity before school, during lunch, and after school. Physical activity is encouraged in all classrooms as well, through active learning and brain breaks.