Gaelscoil an Eiscir Riada

Polasaí ar Bhia Slaintiúil sa scoil.
Healthy Eating Policy.

Is páirt tábhachtach den lá scoile é am lón. Is breá leis na páistí ithe le chéile, ach tá sé tábhachtach freisin ó thaobh chothú de. Glactar go forleathan go bhfuil baint ag bia leis an bhealach a fhoghlaimíonn páistí agus leis an bhealach atá siad in ann a aird a dhíriú ar ábhar. Ceapann an Bhord Bainistíochta go bhfuil sé mar bhuntáiste rialacha a chuir ar fáil maidir le bia shláintiúil. Tá polasaí bia sláintiúl sa scoil ón 23/4/01. Bhí an pholasaí athbhreithnithe i mí na Samhna 2006. Déanadh athraithe beaga ar an bpolasaí tar éis eolas a lorg ó thuismitheoirí, daltaí agus múinteoirí. Déanfar athbhreithniú dé réir mar is gá sa todhchaí. Seo thíos na rialacha atá leagtha amach do bhia sláintiúil sa scoil seo:

" Ceadófar seacláid, milseáin, barraí, brioscaí agus cáca ar an Aoine amháin. Is féidir le daltaí rud amháin ón liosta thuas a thabhairt leo mar pháirt don lón ar an Aoine. Tá ceapairí seacláide san áireamh anseo.
" Ní cheadófar criospaí, bia friochta, deochanna le siúcra breise iontu, gum coganta, líreacáin nó cnónna riamh ar scoil, (tá cnónna luaite ar bhun aileirge agus tachtadh)
" Má thugann dalta bia nach gceadaitear ar scoil leo, bainfear an bhia seo don pháiste agus iarrfar orthu gan é a thabhairt ar scoil arís.
" Cuirfear nóta abhaile chuig tuismitheoirí ar pholasaí bhia sláintiúil na scoile ar a laghad uair sa bhliain le billeog eolais ar bhia sláintiúil ón Aonad Tacaíochta Sláinte.
" Cuirfear bia sláintiúil amháin ar fáil ag laethanta spóirt, ceolchoirm scoile agus rl.
" Cuirfear in iúl do thuismitheoirí nua go bhfuil polasaí bia sláintiúil sa scoil ag oíchí eolais agus rl. Beidh cóip don pholasaí bhia sláintiúil sa dialann obair bhaile agus is féidir le tuismitheoirí féachaint air nuair is mian leo.
" Pléfear bia sláintiúil sna ranganna ar fad sa scoil mar pháirt do O.S.P.S. Pléfear bia sláintiúil ag tionóil le gach rang freisin. Cuirfear torthaí suirbhé agus ceistneoirí ar bhia sláintiúil ar thaispeantais thart timpeall na scoile.

Ní féidir gach bia sláintiúil/míshláintiúil a chuir ar liosta sa pholasaí seo dá bhrí sin moltar do thuismitheoirí a bheith ar an airdeal fé bianna a cheaptar a bheith sláintiúil ach nach bhfuil - bia ar nós - citeanna lóin, iogúirt áirithe, deochanna iogúirt áirithe, cáiseanna difriúil agus milseáin atá fógraithe mar torthaí. Iarrtar ar thuistí gan iad seo a chuir i mboscaí lóin.
Ba mhaith linn buíochas a ghlacadh le gach duine a ghlac páirt sa pholasaí bhia sláintiúil, as ucht na moltaí a thug sibh agus as ucht bhur gcomhoibriú leis an pholasaí seo sa scoil.
Mar thoradh ar an bpolasaí seo tá súil againn go mbeidh daltaí in ann roghanna sláintiúla dhéanamh i leith bia agus go mbeidh dearcadh acu i leith bia i rith a saol uile.

Lunchtime is an extremely important part of the school day. Children enjoy the social occasions of eating together, but it is also important from a nutritional point of view. It is acknowledged that food has an effect on how children learn and on concentration levels. School is also a place where lifelong learning takes place. Healthy eating begins at an early age and continues into adulthood. We feel that it is not enough to simply teach children about healthy foods but that we must also promote healthy eating in school. We strive to strike a balance between healthy food that children eat most of the time and 'treats' which should be occasional. It is important for the school to support parents who are trying to promote healthy eating in their children. The Board of Management in conjunction with parents, teachers and pupils has drawn-up this policy which provides rules for Healthy Eating in this school. We regard it as an advantage to provide such rules.

We have had a healthy eating policy in place since 23/4/01 and a review of that policy took place in November 2006. Some changes were made to the policy after seeking information by questionnaire from parents and after consultation with teachers and pupils. It is intended that it be reviewed as is necessary.

" Chocolate, sweets, bars, biscuits and cakes are allowed on Fridays only. Children may bring 'one treat' only from the above mentioned items to school on Fridays as part of an otherwise healthy lunch. Chocolate spread is considered a treat.
" Children will not be allowed crisps, fried foods, fizzy or sweetened drinks, chewing gum, lollipops or nuts any time in school, (nuts are included for safety reasons - due to allergic reactions and choking)
" If a pupil comes to school with a foodstuff that is not allowed, the foodstuff will be taken from the child, and the child will be asked not to bring it to school again.
" A note will be sent to all parents in the newsletter at least once a year on the healthy eating policy with a leaflet on suggested lunches from the Health Promotion Unit..
" Healthy snacks only will be provided on school sports day, school concerts etc.
" New parents will be informed of the Healthy Eating Policy in place in the school at an information evening meeting with teachers for the first time, etc. A copy of the healthy eating policy will be in the school diary for parental reference.
" Healthy eating choices will be explored in class for all pupils in the school as well as reading of food labels, as part of S.E.S.E. Healthy foods will be discussed at assembly with all classes. Results of surveys, questionnaires on healthy eating will be displayed in the school in prominent areas.

It is not possible to list all healthy/unhealthy foods in this policy so parents are encouraged to read food labels and to be aware of items which are convenient/unhealthy but masquerade as healthy options, these include - lunch kits, milk shake drinks, certain yoghurts and yoghurt drinks with sweets/chocolate added, certain cheese dips, sweets which are advertised as fruit. We strongly suggest that parents do not include these in your child's lunch box.

We would like to thank all those who participated in surveys, for the suggestions you made and for your continuing support for the healthy eating policy in place in the school. We hope that all our pupils will have a balanced view of food and are well-informed and capable of making healthy food choices.