The truth about Halloween candy - Jenks Public Schools

News Page 2Child NutritionSerivices attemptsto make lunchtimehealthierAndrea MayesReporterChild Nutrition Services works onthe side to ensure that students receivethe best and healthiest food when walkingthrough the lunch line. Initiatives towardshaving healthier youth has prompted morenutritious options to choose from includingbrown rice in Asian dishes, 98 percentfat free name brand meats, whole wheathamburger/hotdog buns, and whole grainravioli and penne pasta. The cafeteria isalso offering Cici’s pizza this year, insteadof Mazzios. The new reduced sodium saucetops pizzas, along with low fat pepperonis.Yet other options, such as a whole wheatcrust and skim milk monzerella cheesehave not been well received by students.Obama rallies to passAmerican Jobs ActBethany MannAd directorOn Sept. 8, President Obama promised majorchanges to the United States’s employment system.Called the American Jobs Act, the bill promises tohelp small businesses and reduce capital regulationsas wel as provide tax relief for families and workersby cutting payroll taxes by significant amounts andallowing more Americans to refinance their mortgages.What the President seems to highlight is his planto repair the issue of unemployment by preventingteachers and other government-paid employee frombeing laid off or unemployed while hiring others torepair schools, roads, and other projects throughoutthe country. The plan to assist the unemployeduses a series of work-based insuranceprograms, along with incentives foremployers hiring long-term unemployedworkers. Obama has evenplanned a “retiring heroes”hiring tax credit forveterans, which providestax credits from $5,600 to$9,600 to encourage thehiring of unemployed veterans.The President has ensured that theJobs Act is fully paid for by planningwith the Joint Committee ondefecit reduction.“We have nutrition standards but wehave to consider what kids are going toeat,” Pat Meadows, registered dieticianand director of Jenks Child Nutrition Services,said.The school was forced to retreat to theoriginal white flour crust and cheese madewith whole milk because of the decrease instudent population.“Our pizza sales went down by athird,” Meadows said. She continued tosay that there was a similar effect at BrokenArrow High School as well.Other than plate meals, the schoolsstrive to offer healthy al la cart options thatalso benefit the state economy. These singleselections are meant to aid in the nutritionof kids and to help unite the sate. TheOklahoma Farm to School program allowsfor fresh produce to be brought directly toschools. Seasonal watermelon and cantaloupeare delicious picks that will now alsohelp Oklahoma harvesters. Locally grownfruits and veggies are fresher than whenshipped or stored and thus contain morevitamins and less preservatives, makingthem healthier. Other nutritious side items forselection include one percent or fat free milk,veggies with no added salt or fat (throughextra margarine), and the total eliminationof fried foods with substitutes like apples,bananas, and oranges. Vending machines arenot included under Child Nutrition, so thecafeteria counters unhealthy junk food byselling better foods of equal taste like bakedchips, calcium rich snacks, smaller portions,and purified water. The lunch guidelinesset by Child Nutrition aim to offer studentshealthy alternatives and correct portions sothey can truly have a well-balanced diet.“So much about nutrition is variety andquantity,” Meadows reminds students.The Oktoberfest is backReturning for the 33rd year, theOktoberfest will be back in T-TownOct. 20th through the 23rd locatednear the Arkansas River. Although thisfestival is very fond of Tulsa, it did notbegin here in Oklahoma. Originatingin Germany almost 200 years ago,the Oktoberfest has spread acrossthe world from New York across thecountry to the Southern tip of Texas.This annual festival got its start whenPrince Ludwig of Bavaria marriedPrincess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausenin late 1810. After thisjoyous event, Prince Ludwig wantedto share his happiness with his peopleof Bavaris. Organizing a horse race incelebration, over 4,000 people gatheredto celebrate the royal wedding.There will not be any extravagenthorse races at the Oktoberfest thisyear, but many of the same traditionsfrom the early 1800’s are still presentin today’s festivities. The abundanceof food stands, stocked authentic Germancuisine, and live festive musichave been a tradition at these festivalsBailey Fishcer-ColumboReporterfor decades back. The emphasis onGerman’s elaboraate culture and colorfulart draws a large crowd to eachfestival annually.“I enjoy the Oktoberfest becauseof the different arts and crafts projects,”freshman Ashlyn Ball said.Not only will there be scrumptiousfood, live entertaiment and artsand crafts for all ages, but there willalso be many different amusementrides all weekend! Popular rides suchas the Yo-Yo, bumper carts, and evenhaunted houses will be unlimited withan ‘all-day’ pass.If you are not a big fan of beingtwirled in the air on carnival rides, noworries, the Oktoberfest is still a lot offun. Not only are there rides and food,there are plent of art booths with projectsand crafts for kids and adults. Afavorite art tent of many, “Ron’s Tent’,where you can splatter paint a frisbeeon a pottery wheel. The Oktoberfesthas something for all to enjoy fromscrumptious food to festive entertainmentand amusement rides!