24 Westminster Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14215
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As you may know, Westminster Community Charter School (WCCS) received a 3-year Carol M. White
Physical Education Program (PEP) grant in 2011. The purpose of the grant is to support our Wellness program in order to help students meet the state standards for physical education as well as promote and encourage lifelong and healthy eating habits. This grant has enabled WCCS to expand our physical education program with additional equipment, such as a fitness room and rock climbing wall, and provided professional development for the Physical Education teachers. Our nutrition education program has also been enhanced by having a full-time Nutritionist on staff who provides nutrition and healthy eating information for students and their families.
We are pleased with enthusiastic participation of students and their families in this program so far and we are hoping that parents and families will become even more involved. As part of this program, WCCS has developed a new wellness policy which includes opportunities for parents and families to support the program. Some important ways you can help us are:
1.
Please send your child(ren) to school with only nutritious snacks and lunches and limit the sugary beverages such as juice drinks (100% fruit juice is fine), sports drinks like Gatorade, and sodas.
Encourage your children to drink water and skim or low-fat milk instead. Water is always available for WCCS students and milk is provided at no charge to students during lunch. Some ideas for nutritious snack and lunch items are included with this letter.
2.
Please do not send in cupcakes or other treats for birthday parties. Instead, the dining hall staff will make homemade cupcakes for a monthly birthday celebration for all the students who have a birthday during that month at no cost to parents.
3.
Attend one of our nutrition programs for parents and families. You will learn how prepare a variety of foods in healthy ways and will have the opportunity to taste the food that is prepared during the presentation.
The WCCS wellness policy covers a variety of topics including food service, fundraising that involves food or beverages, physical activity and recess, and staff wellness. If you would like to read the Wellness Policy you can find it on our school website at www.westminsterccs.org
.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please contact Mr. Lynch, the PEP Grant Coordinator, at ( wlynch@buffaloschools.org
) or by calling the school at 816-3450. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you to help all of our students maintain a healthy lifestyle. Thank you for your support.
Regards,
The WCCS Wellness Committee
P h o n e : 7 1 6 - 8 1 6 - 3 4 5 0

w w w . w e s t m i n s t e r c c s . o r g

F a x : 7 1 6 - 8 1 6 - 3 4 5 8
In compliance with federal law, Westminster Community Charter administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability.