Partnership with Education Department Would Result in Fresh Local Foods for Kids, Expanded Markets for GA Farmers
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner candidate Gary Black today called for a partnership with the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to increase the use of fresh, local produce in Georgia's school lunch program. He said he has met with Republican State School Superintendent candidate John Barge to begin discussions to implement such a plan.
"Georgia educators and school nutritionists want to provide top quality fresh food to their students and we will give them the tools to do just that," Black said today. "We can buy healthy, locally-grown produce through our school lunch program which is good for the students, good for the farmers and good for Georgia's economy."
Black said that he will work with the School Superintendent and local school systems to identify seasonal needs of schools and match them with local growers who can fulfill those needs and increase on-site preparation of Georgia-grown products. "Local leaders know best what is best for their communities. But I believe state leaders of agriculture and education can be of service by partnering to address the in-school nutrition needs of Georgia students," Black said.
He also said that highlighting individual school nutrition success stories will provide a blueprint to best practices that all schools can look to. "Cobb County and Decatur City Schools have initiated creative farm to school programs that deserve recognition. Teaming Georgia farmers, school nutrition professionals and parents together promises to yield positive, sustainable results we can all be proud of," Black said.
According to the GaDOE, 74% of Georgia's public school students eat school lunches -- including 1.2 million servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
"Georgia Grown carrots and strawberries are better for our kids and for our economy than potatoes grown and frozen in Idaho any day of the week," Black said.
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Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Superintendent Cox Uses Advisory Councils as Communication Tool
When Superintendent Kathy Cox took office in 2003, she made one of her top priorities improving communication with the thousands of people across the state who dedicate their lives to educating our children. As a former classroom teacher, she knows communication is a two-way street, and that input and feedback from those in the classrooms is vital to ensuring our children receive a quality education.
Specifically, Superintendent Cox created Advisory Councils for the purpose of communicating directly with Students, Teachers, Parents and Principals, those groups who are the most directly affected by the policies of the State Board of Education. These groups meet multiple times throughout the school year and act as liaisons to the Department of Education. Advisory Council members serve one-year terms.
The Student Advisory Council consists of about 50 students from across Georgia who meet four times a year all around the state. Their meeting locations highlight Georgia’s Colleges, Universities and Technical Schools. The Student Advisory Council has also visited, as a group, Zoo Atlanta, the Carlos Museum at Emory University, the State Legislature, and the Georgia Academy for the Blind. These students provide direct input on topics such as Testing, the Dropout Rate, and Student Leadership.
The Teacher Advisory Council is made up of Georgia Teacher of the Year finalists, Milken Award winners and other outstanding teachers from around Georgia. These teachers meet to advise the Department on such topics as Teacher Training, Discipline, Testing, and the Georgia Performance Standards.
The members of the Parent Advisory Council are nominated by their local school district to serve for a year as an advisor and an ambassador. The members of this Advisory Council are mainly focused on how to increase parent and family engagement to ensure student success.
The Principal Advisory Council is actually made up of two separate groups of principals: one of elementary principals and one of secondary principals. These two groups meet separately and provide the Department of Education with their expertise concerning topics that include SAT Scores, Best Practices and Graduation Coaches.
These Advisory Councils have been an effective tool for improving the lines of communication between the State Department of Education and the people it serves. By re-electing Superintendent Kathy Cox to a third term, you can be sure that these Councils will continue to provide feedback and new ideas to an administration focused on improving student achievement.
Upcoming Events
Saturday April 24th – Atlanta Steeplechase (9:00 am – Kingston Downs, GA)
Saturday May 1st – 6th Congressional District Candidate Forum (9:30 am – Calvary Church 5067 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd. Dunwoody, GA)
Join the Team
Click here to join the Kathy Cox Volunteer Team!
Follow Kathy on Facebook and Twitter!
Specifically, Superintendent Cox created Advisory Councils for the purpose of communicating directly with Students, Teachers, Parents and Principals, those groups who are the most directly affected by the policies of the State Board of Education. These groups meet multiple times throughout the school year and act as liaisons to the Department of Education. Advisory Council members serve one-year terms.
The Student Advisory Council consists of about 50 students from across Georgia who meet four times a year all around the state. Their meeting locations highlight Georgia’s Colleges, Universities and Technical Schools. The Student Advisory Council has also visited, as a group, Zoo Atlanta, the Carlos Museum at Emory University, the State Legislature, and the Georgia Academy for the Blind. These students provide direct input on topics such as Testing, the Dropout Rate, and Student Leadership.
The Teacher Advisory Council is made up of Georgia Teacher of the Year finalists, Milken Award winners and other outstanding teachers from around Georgia. These teachers meet to advise the Department on such topics as Teacher Training, Discipline, Testing, and the Georgia Performance Standards.
The members of the Parent Advisory Council are nominated by their local school district to serve for a year as an advisor and an ambassador. The members of this Advisory Council are mainly focused on how to increase parent and family engagement to ensure student success.
The Principal Advisory Council is actually made up of two separate groups of principals: one of elementary principals and one of secondary principals. These two groups meet separately and provide the Department of Education with their expertise concerning topics that include SAT Scores, Best Practices and Graduation Coaches.
These Advisory Councils have been an effective tool for improving the lines of communication between the State Department of Education and the people it serves. By re-electing Superintendent Kathy Cox to a third term, you can be sure that these Councils will continue to provide feedback and new ideas to an administration focused on improving student achievement.
Upcoming Events
Saturday April 24th – Atlanta Steeplechase (9:00 am – Kingston Downs, GA)
Saturday May 1st – 6th Congressional District Candidate Forum (9:30 am – Calvary Church 5067 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd. Dunwoody, GA)
Join the Team
Click here to join the Kathy Cox Volunteer Team!
Follow Kathy on Facebook and Twitter!
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