Superintendent of Wahoo Public Schools Receives Nutrition Award

Award Given by the American Dairy Association & Dairy Council of Nebraska

ADA/DC Press Release

March 05, 2008

Omaha, NE--The American Dairy Association and Dairy Council (ADA/DC) of Nebraska recognized Edward Rastovski, Superintendent of Wahoo Public Schools, with the Leadership in School Nutrition Education Award. The award is presented annually to recognize a Nebraska educator for their exceptional leadership in contributing to a healthy school environment by teaching students about the importance of a well balanced diet that includes 3 daily servings of dairy foods. The award was presented at the 2008 Nebraska Dairy Convention held in Columbus, Nebraska on February 19.

"Mr. Rastovski has made student wellness a priority. He has worked closely with his school nutrition staff to offer more healthy choices during school meals and to teach students about the importance of eating a healthy diet," says ADA/DC of Nebraska Director of Nutrition Education Jennifer Meyer, RD.

To improve student health and increase milk consumption at his school, Rastovski chose to adopt the New Look of School Milk, which refers to serving milk in plastic re-sealable bottles instead of paper cartons. This updated packaging is replacing paper milk cartons in schools nationwide and has been shown to significantly increase milk consumption among school aged children. With most U.S. children and teens falling short on dairy recommendations and key nutrients found in dairy foods such as calcium, increasing milk consumption in school is an effective way to improve student health.

Rastovski has also been a strong proponent of making sure students have access to breakfast at school. Wahoo Public Schools provides students with a well balanced breakfast with many options including cereals, waffles, pancakes, dairy foods, and juice.

"I feel that encouraging our students to both eat a good breakfast and drink milk is an effective two prong approach to fight childhood obesity," says Rastovski. "Research indicates that those who regularly eat breakfast and those who consume adequate dairy foods are more likely to maintain a healthy weight than those who don't. Well-nourished students are also better able to concentrate and learn."