Winter is the perfect time for celebrations at school. Celebrations can take place in one classroom or involve the entire school. When planning school-wide celebrations be sure to include the school wellness committee, students, parents, the cafeteria staff, administration, and the school nurse.
Here are some winter events that can easily be celebrated in a healthy way:
New Year’s Day (celebrate new beginnings by trying a new food or recipe during the first week in January)
January – National Bean Day (6th)
January – Martin Luther King Jr. (21st)
January – Celebrate Family Fitness Month with a family fitness night at school
January – National Carrot Month (wear orange and taste test different types)
February – Super Bowl Party
February – Ground Hog Day on the 2nd
February – 100th Day of School Celebration. More 100th Day ideas.
February – Valentine’s Day – Celebrate with Healthy Treats or a healthy activity.
STEM Activities for Valentines Day
February – President’s Day (Talk about past Presidents’ favorite foods)
February – American Heart Month
You Are Sweet Enough Coloring Sheet
We Love AfterSchool Toolkit
Other possible events to celebrate during different months of the year.
December – Consider hosting a healthy food drive to support community Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and other holiday celebrations.
December – Healthy Winter Celebrations
FSNE educators and teachers could use these events as opportunities to craft a multi-layered SEM intervention at FSNE schools.
Remember to take pictures of students participating in classroom celebrations to share on the school Facebook or website pages and on the classroom bulletin board. This allows other students, parents and the general community to see the wonderful educational activities happening at your school.
Curricular Connections: Extending classroom-based nutrition education into the cafeteria helps students connect the information they’ve learned to the choices available in the lunchroom. Many winter celebrations can include cafeteria items served school-wide. See our section on the Cafeteria Classroom connection.
Healthy Food Ideas:
- FSNE Healthy Celebrations Newsletter
- FSNE Healthy Snack List
- Healthy Celebrations (Action for Healthy Kids)
Connect with Parents:
- FSNE Newsletters: (English)
- Recipes: select recipes that feature food items from the school menu or items tasted in class
- DHS Fliers
- Share our Eat Smart Blog on Healthy Classroom Celebrations
General Resources:
Team Nutrition Popular Events Idea Booklet