Healthy children build a stronger nation
I appreciated the Sunshine-Times’ recent short article “Illinois colleges wouldn’t have to serve least expensive food stuff doable below new invoice,” highlighting condition Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth’s legislation (HB 4813) that would eliminate the need that colleges opt for the least expensive bidder when contemplating meals service contracts.
Letting faculties to acquire into account more than just the most inexpensive solution will ideally supply much more youngsters with substantial-top quality, nutritious foods. As a retired key typical from the U.S. Air Power, supporting guidelines that present kids with obtain to nutritious meals is a most important priority for me.
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Currently, 70% of Illinois youth among 14 and 17 are unable to pursue military professions for the reason that they fall short to qualify owing to a blend of things: being overweight, lousy education and prison documents. Information from 2018 reveal that 14.2% of middle and higher school-aged learners have been obese, which can lead to health complications afterwards in lifestyle such as diabetic issues and coronary heart illness.
Even so, college food packages often provide youngsters with fruits, vegetables, lean protein and total grains to make healthy life — possibilities we should help in community policies.
Studies exhibit it is specially critical that healthful feeding on behaviors are shaped in children’s earliest a long time. That is specifically pertinent considering the fact that kids as young as 2 are dealing with rising weight problems rates in our condition. We know young children in the renowned Abecedarian early childhood instruction software have been considerably less very likely to confront weight problems in adulthood (for ladies) and exhibited much less chance components for heart ailment, stroke and diabetes (for boys).
Wholesome small children are much more probably to turn out to be nutritious grown ups. As our military services faces recruitment difficulties owing to an unqualified population, I do not find it a stretch to say healthier little ones establish a more robust country.
Main General (Ret) Gary R. Dylewski, U.S. Air Drive, Peoria
Electric powered faculty buses for thoroughly clean air, renewable electrical power
Each and every working day, countless numbers of Chicago kids are exposed to harmful diesel air pollution on the way to and from college. Diesel exhaust is a acknowledged carcinogen joined to significant health troubles, together with lung most cancers, bronchial asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.
Switching to electric powered faculty buses would ensure that young children do not have to breathe in a each day dose of harmful diesel air pollution.
Cleaner air is not the only profit. The powerful batteries within electric university buses can fortify the electrical grid and pace the transition to renewable energy.
As school buses are mostly only in use through limited, distinct periods, electric buses could take up renewable electricity when it is accessible and release when essential. Electrical utilities could compensate college districts for the electrical power storage products and services their buses present.
Switching to electric college buses is a win for our children’s overall health, universities and the atmosphere. Chicago Community Schools need to dedicate to 100% electrical faculty bus fleets by 2030.
Mac Dressman, Uptown