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Parent tells Hoosac Valley committee her daughter was hospitalized for malnutrition; urges nutrition protocol for athletes
Summary
A Cheshire resident described her freshman daughter's severe malnutrition and hospitalization and urged the committee to adopt an athlete‑nutrition protocol similar to concussion requirements; the committee said it will discuss the matter with the superintendent but took no formal action.
At the School Committee meeting May 19, resident Elizabeth Wilson told the board her freshman daughter, a varsity basketball player, was hospitalized with severe malnutrition after losing about 25 pounds in five weeks and arriving at the hospital with a reported heart rate of 27 beats per minute.
"She went in for severe malnutrition ... lost 25 pounds in five weeks," Wilson said, describing long practice hours and instances when athletes had no food between school lunch and arriving home late at night. Wilson said some student‑athletes may need as much as 3,600 calories per day to support their activity level and suggested the district consider an athlete‑nutrition protocol similar to its concussion protocol, or require a short course for families before registering for sports.
Chairman Erin Milne thanked Wilson for speaking and said she would discuss the concerns with Superintendent Aaron Dean. The minutes record no formal motion or committee direction and no immediate policy change; the matter was raised during the public comment portion of the agenda.
Wilson said she did not know the single right solution but urged the district to consider protective steps so other students do not suffer the same health consequences. Committee members expressed appreciation for Wilson bringing the matter forward; the record shows no vote or referral was made at the meeting.
