School Wellness

Putnam Public Schools is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children’s health, wellness and ability to learn by supporting behaviors that include healthy eating and physical activity.

“Wellness” is an interactive process of becoming aware of and practicing choices to create a healthy and balanced lifestyle, which includes but is not limited to nutrition, nutrition education, physical activity and physical education.

School wellness policies are an important tool for parents, local educational agencies and school districts to promote student wellness, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and provide assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the Federal school meal standards. Since the beginning of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265), Putnam Public Schools has emphasized ongoing implementation and assessment of its “School Wellness Policy”


Putnam Awarded HeathierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) - Silver Award Level

A select group of only 5.5 percent of the nation’s eligible schools have earned an HUSSC distinction.

Putnam, Connecticut –The HealthierUS School Challenge awards are a way for the USDA to recognize schools that have created healthier school environments through improvements in the quality of school meals while providing both nutrition and physical education to promote healthy lifestyles. The HUSSC is a key component in Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign and has also helped prepare schools to implement the meal pattern changes developed by the USDA for nation-wide implementation starting school year 2012-1013.

The USDA has awarded the winners for school year 2011-2012, which include awarding the Silver HealthierUS School Challenge Award Level to the following Putnam District: Putnam Elementary School, Putnam Middle School and Putnam High School: Less than 6 percent of the nation’s eligible schools have earned this distinction.

This recognition is the product of a yearlong effort between Putnam administration and staff which includes food service director Barry Sbordy, food service personnel, many additional school staff and the School Nutrition Association, which provides assistance and resources to assist individual school districts improve performance.

Achieving this award reiterates Putnam food service’s team commitment to promoting a healthy school environment for its students. Mr. Sbordy stated, “Putnam is honored to be the recipient of the Healthier US Schools Challenge silver award. The HUSSC criteria, is unique in that it focuses on a child’s complete wellness which includes healthy eating choices, nutrition education, and physical activity. Ultimately, the Program has resulted in greater student awareness and focus on healthier alternatives.”

In order to qualify for the Silver award, Putnam had to demonstrate the school meets all the HUSSC nutritional requirements on an on-going basis, serving a variety of healthier foods that appeal to the students, planning meals that emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and dairy products; and that include lean proteins and foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars. Furthermore, the school was required to prove its compliance with nutrition education, wellness, and the physical activity criteria of the HUSSC according to age group.

The award ceremony took place at the Second Annual School Breakfast Summit in East Hartford on April 26th. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Regional Administrator, James Arena-DeRosa was on hand to present the HealthierUS awards, a commemorative plaque, HUSSC banners, and a check for $1,000 per awarded School to the school district.

For more details on the USDA’S HeathierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) visit their website.


About the School Nutrition Association of Connecticut:

The School Nutrition Association of Connecticut (SNACT) is a proud affiliate of the national School Nutrition Association. The 500 members of the School Nutrition Association of Connecticut are School Food service Personnel who are committed to advancing good nutrition for all children, providing healthful meals and nutritional education since 1949. The School Nutrition Association is the only professional association dedicated solely to the support and well being of school nutrition professionals in advancing good nutrition for all children. Since 1946, SNA has been advancing the availability and quality of school nutrition programs as integral part of a student’s education. With its 52 affiliates, SNA is dedicated to your success and the success of your school district’s nutrition program and to the health and wellness of America’s school children. For more information, visit the School Nutrition Association of Connecticut website.


Smart Snacks in School

We are focused on the health of our school environment. Our school district has established nutrition standards for all snacks sold in school by any entity, including parent/student organizations, teachers, boosters, fundraisers, or the food and nutrition services department. These standards for snack sales are in effect from any time before school through 1/2 hour after school, in accordance with the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, the USDA and our district Wellness Policy. Non-compliant foods may be sold from 1/2 hour after school through the end of the day. These standards carefully balance science-based nutrition guidelines with practical and flexible solutions to promote healthier eating on campus.