Board hears health and wellness committee consolidation and cafeteria grant for local produce tasting

Mrs. Stevens, a member of the North Hills Board, reported Jan. 23 that the district consolidated two committees into one health and wellness group intended to take a more holistic approach to student and staff health.

The consolidated committee will include student services staff, family and consumer science teachers, physicians, nurses, mental‑health providers, athletes, principals and community members, and now includes three student liaisons — two upperclassmen and one freshman — who “will be helping with district outreach, and spreading information about what's going on in health and wellness,” she said.

Stevens also highlighted recent recognition for the district’s food services work. Lindsay Radspin, the district’s food services director, was featured in a Pittsburgh regional spotlight for her work and the department received a Pennsylvania Harvest of the Month grant. The grant funds taste‑testing of Pennsylvania‑grown produce in each district cafeteria; examples discussed included apple‑beet oatmeal, Napa corn salad, carrot‑cake overnight oats, Tuscan grilled cheese and “harvest hash browns with spaghetti squash.” The department will solicit student feedback and consider adding successful recipes to regular menus.

Stevens said the family and consumer sciences department received a donation from the Pennsylvania Beef Council and, combined with produce from the high‑school garden, the program produced stuffed peppers for students.

No formal board action was taken on the committee restructure or the grant during the Jan. 23 meeting; both items were presented as operational updates.