McDonald's joins hands with educators and nutrition experts

24/08/05 Students as young as six years old are making their own meal choices when in the lunch line at school and a new local education partnership is helping them learn to make smart choices to lead healthy lives. Through McDonald's Active Achievers, McDonald's in partnership with educators and nutrition and health experts, is providing teachers and schools in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts with resources to teach students to make balanced nutrition choices and develop an interest in being active and staying healthy.

The new initiative supports schools' needs in the area of physical and health/nutrition education and locally extends McDonald's new worldwide balanced, active lifestyles public awareness campaign and education initiative -- "it's what i eat and what i do". McDonald's Active Achievers takes an engaging and fun approach to communicating with children and gives educators' ideas for physical activity and nutrition lessons that will overcome barriers in motivating students including offering an in-school performance by icon Ronald McDonald along with local nutritionist and registered dietician, Nancy Dell. Other unique assemblies, teacher guides, and insights into promoting a healthy school environment are also offered.

Program partners include: the Connecticut State Department of Education, Connecticut Association of Schools, Connecticut Library Consortium, Western Massachusetts based nutritionist and registered dietician Nancy Dell, Coca-Cola, WGBY-TV (PBS) and WVIT-TV (NBC 30). The Hartford Wolf Pack, New Britain Rock Cats, and Basketball Hall of Fame have also lent their support.

As part of the program launch, schools and teachers will receive McDonald's Active Achievers information packets containing information on the free resources available. Under the theme Go Active!, schools are introduced to "Get Moving with Ronald McDonald", an assembly endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to inform children in a fun and meaningful way to eat well and stay active. The show is paired with Dell's program "Veggies Rule", which was created specifically for McDonald's and delivers educational messages to students about nutrition and balance between eating right and staying active.

The Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Owner/Operator Association is comprised of local McDonald's restaurant owners who are community and industry leaders. They have a long-standing commitment to supporting educational initiatives and organizations in the communities they serve, including providing resources to promote balanced, active lifestyles to kids and families.