Sheiko Ele in West Bloomfield Schools has students graduate from nutrition program with Henry Ford Hosp.

Most districts know in theory that working with strategic business partners that educate students in practical ways learned far beyond the classroom are important. It paves the way for students to learn how the real world works and they can then apply the skills into their lives and the lives of the learning community. This is the case in an article written by John Turk of the Oakland Press at Sheiko Elementary in the West Bloomfield School District.

West Bloomfield Twp. elementary students graduate from nutrition program out of partnership with Henry Ford Hospital

Students in the West Bloomfield “Chef for a Day, Farmer for a Day” program walk in the Henry Ford Hospital Ravitz Atrium and receive diplomas to celebrate their completion of the program. Photo submitted by Dr. Ken Wolf

By John Turk, The Oakland Press

Posted: 05/22/14, 1:43 PM EDT | 

About 600 West Bloomfield elementary students donned a different type of graduation cap this week to celebrate their participation in a year-long program geared towards nutrition awareness: A chef’s hat.
The program — called “Chef for a Day, Farmer for a Day” — was created in Sept. 2013 by Sheiko Elementary, the West Bloomfield School District and Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital to help reduce childhood obesity, said program representatives.
Sheiko Elementary students learned about life cycles, healthy eating, and more through the program, which was based on national standards, while staying within the school district’s curriculum.
Specifically, students visited Henry Ford doctors, watched hospital chefs prepare food at the school, and even saw organic foods being grown at Henry Ford’s hospital-based, 1,500-square-foot greenhouse — the first of its kind in Michigan.
At a commencement ceremony Wednesday in the hospital’s Ravitz Atrium, West Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Gerald Hill said the school’s 5-2-1-0 Wellness program — each number denotes how many fruits and vegetables to eat, how many hours to watch television and exercise and to limit sugar intake — is a valuable tool for adults and children, “and one that the students should share with other family members and friends.”
The program helped students achieve that goal, as many were encouraged to be teachers to their classmates and families on new eating behaviors, food choice selections and exercise patterns.
To read more in the online Oakland Press, click here.(vvv)
lhttp://www.theoaklandpress.com/social-affairs/20140522/west-bloomfield-twp-elementary-students-graduate-from-nutrition-program-out-of-partnership-with-henry-ford-hospital