Ingredients for success: Program lets students study, exercise and eat

Nov 21, 2008 (Richmond Times-Dispatch - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- TCHC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Academics, fitness and a healthy dinner are on the menu at a new after-school initiative at L. Douglas Wilder Middle School in Henrico County.

Two days a week, students in the school's Recipe for Success program get to study, exercise and -- best of all -- eat.

"There are all kinds of wonderful statistics to show that additional physical activity and fitness and eating nutritious meals will contribute to student success," said Judy Hall, a retired physical education teacher who coordinates the program.

Wilder staff members have been thrilled at the results they've seen in just a few months of Recipe for Success.

"There have been a lot of improvements," said Sandra Rucker, sixth-grade counselor and tutoring coordinator. "When we got their interim grades, we let them know we were watching. There is a marked difference now. The proof is in the numbers and I saw their grades going up."

When the dismissal bell rings at 3:15 p.m., about 50 students head to classrooms, where they spend about an hour tackling homework and receiving tutoring if they need it.

Then, they burn off excess energy with activities led by physical education teachers. In January, they'll start swimming lessons at a nearby YMCA.

All that brainwork and activity leads to hungry teenagers. Recipe for Success takes care of that.

During each session, 10 students are selected to start making dinner. Staff members in the kitchen prepare more food, enough for each student in the program and up to four family members.

Dinners have included grilled chicken and vegetables, stuffed cabbage, whole wheat spaghetti and chicken parmesan.

This week, the menu featured roast turkey with all the fixings, including homemade cranberry sauce.

"The menu is all proportioned. It's naturally low-fat and we stay away from processed foods. We talk to them about portion control and how to prepare the foods," said Brenda Pannell, a family and consumer sciences teacher at Wilder.

Wilder received a $180,000 21st Century grant from the federal Department of Education for the program.

Of the grant money, $50,000 is allotted to food. "I try to pick a lot of stuff children are not exposed to," said Jo Jackson, a field supervisor for Henrico County schools' nutrition services. "I tell them why I'm using ground turkey instead of ground beef, whole wheat flour, lots of fresh vegetables. They have fresh fruit for a snack. And I think they're enjoying it."

Students say they are.

"I get to do a lot of stuff I haven't done before," said seventh-grader Mason Page. "My favorite part is the cooking."

Adarius Moody, a seventh-grader, said he has developed better habits as a result of the program. "On days I'm not here I go home and exercise more. I get my heart rate up."

Parents, too, are pleased with Recipe for Success. "It's good to explore new things," said Cheryl Woodford, mother of seventh-grader Joshua, who made a swing by her to drop off a stack of schoolwork bearing all A's. "I hope they do more programs like this to enhance their learning outside the classroom."

One of the best things, Woodford said, is the chance to eat dinner with her kids without the phone ringing or television in the background. "It's teaching the quality of family time at the dinner table. That's a lost art."

Contact Lisa Crutchfield at (804) 649-6362 or lcrutchfield@timesdispatch.com.

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