Environmental Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Environmental Law - Essay Example As per RCEP ( Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution) , pollution is one, which has been introduced by human being into the environment of energy or substances, which is responsible to create an injury to health of human beings , hazards to ecological systems and living resources , harm to amenity , structure or interference with the lawful uses of the atmosphere2. Pollution is related with harms to health of humans, plants, property, habitats, animals and ecological structure. Pollution is not limited to the effect of chemical materials either on the environment or on human beings3. If chemical energy or substances are released into environment unauthorisedly, it would be tantamount to pollution under the environmental law. Thus, pollution can happen in the following ways. If a person or a legal person (company) releases energy or chemicals into the atmosphere in violation of its licence stipulations; If a person or a legal person (company) releases energy or chemicals into the atmosphere without obtaining any valid licence4. As per Keith Hawkins, pollution is a conception by the administration, and the regulator manages the issue of licenses, and it is having authority to decide, which discharge tantamount to pollution and if the discharge surpasses the licence conditions, then, that will be regarded as unlawful5. Offences under UK environmental laws fall under strict liability offences, and thus it minimises the onus on the prosecutor, and the defendant has to prove that there has been no infringement from his side to escape from the offence. In the early nineteenth century, when it was found that enforcement officials were lacking capability to assess the internal intricacies of business operations, the strict liability is introduced for environmental offences6. In UK, the environmental offences will fall under the category of strict liability offence. One of the salient features of strict liability offence is that it facilitates the prosecutor to puni sh a company for any environmental offences where the infringement was due to inaction or action of its employees, or due to failures of mechanical systems or other equipments7. In UK, there are about twenty-five environmental statutes specifically provide for initiating action against officers with regard to about 175 separate punishable offences under UK’s environmental law ,which may be perpetrated by the companies. For instance, the National Rivers Authority can recoup reasonable costs of mitigating or remedying pollution in groundwater or surface from the persons who have knowingly permitted or caused the threatened pollution or the pollution. The Environment Act 1995 authorises the costs to be recouped from the â€Å"appropriate persons† who have permitted or caused such pollution. Thus, the term â€Å"persons† include of course both the officers and the directors of the company8. Oil and Gas production and exploration is to adhere to its own environmental regulations. Environmental safeguard provisions are introduced in the exploration and development licences itself under s.4 of the Act9. Oil pollutions offences like releasing of oil mixture or oil into territorial waters of UK is a punishable crime under the above Act10. For instance, the US Environmental Protection Agency levies administrative penalties whereas the Department of Justice award criminal punishments for the most serious infringement. Likewise, under German laws,

Benefits and Issues in using Learning Logs

Benefits and Issues in using Learning Logs A learning log is an learning tool which is designed to improve the learning experience, while facilitating exchanges between students and teachers. Learning logs are used in schools all over the world, and there are a number of different approaches to them. In addition to being used in predictable school environments, learning logs can also be very beneficial to homeschoolers and other students pursuing non-tradition education. A learning assessment refers to the measurement of a students capabilities, progress and academic outcome. Learning assessments are important because both students and teachers can get a clear picture of what a student can do academically rather than what he or she cant do. When conducting a learning assessment, instructors consider past and present academic performances as well as the students values, behaviors and attitudes toward learning TASK ONE LEARNING LOGBOOK INTRODUCTION A Learning Logbook is basically a log or record or journal of your own learning. It is not necessarily a formal academic piece of work. It is a personal record of your own learning. As such it is a document which is unique to you and cannot be right or wrong. A Learning Log helps you to record, structure, thinks about and reflects upon, plan, develop and evidence your own learning I prompted to use my Learning Logbook from time to time in my Study Guide, but I didnt limit my entries to just these occasions. It could also be useful to explore ideas in a Discussion Forum. If I could keep my log electronically, I might even copy sections from my log for insertion into the discussion forum or vice versa. Using the logbook in this way helped me to reflect on all of the information presented in the Class and to come to my own understanding of it. Managing Study Time There are only so many hours in a day, a week, and a term. I cannot change the number of hours, but I can decide how to best use them. To be successful in Class, I must be carefully managing my study time. Here is a strategy for doing this. Term Calendar At the beginning of a module, I prepared a Term Calendar. Update it as the term goes on. Here is what I did to prepare a Term Calendar. Record my class assignments with their due dates and my scheduled tests. Record My planned Class activities. Record my planned module activities. Record my known out-of-Class activities. Weekly Schedule Each Sunday before a Class week, I prepared a Weekly Schedule. Update it as the week goes on. Here is what I did to prepare a Weekly Schedule. Record my daily classes. Entered things to be done for the coming week from my Term Calendar. Review my class notes from the previous week to see if I need to add any Class activities. Add any out-of-school activities in which I would be involved during the week. Be sure to include times for completing assignments, working on projects, and studying for tests. These times may be during the Class day, right after Class, evenings, and weekends. Daily Time Table Each evening before a Class day, I prepared a Daily time table for the next day. Place a next to each thing to do as my accomplish it. Here is what to did to prepare a Daily time table. Entered the things to do for the coming day from my Weekly Schedule. Entered the things that still needed to be accomplished from my Daily time table from the previous day. Review my class notes for the day just completed to see if I need to add any school activities. Add any out-of-school activities in which I will be involved the next day. My Weekly Schedule had more detail than my Term Calendar. My Daily time table had more detail than my Weekly Schedule. Using a Term Calendar, a Weekly Schedule, and a Daily time table helped to make the best use of my time. I developed my own ideas on using the log but the following points helped me initially: Date each entry Clearly distinguish entries about myself and my life from information about my study. Separate my summaries and notes of readings and lectures from my opinions, comments and reflections on these, working on a computer, use a different font or format to distinguish each. My Learning Log I used is: plan my study and make revisions as needed; write down questions for my tutor as they arise; make notes that help me to carry out my study, e.g. on essay writing, preparing for examinations, previewing and reading texts in depth; document my reading and viewing so that notes can be readily accessed for assignments and examinations; Document my reflections on my progress, problems encountered and ways that I might resolve them. TAKING NOTES Attended regularly the lectures and try to make detailed notices, but if some reasons I could not attend a lecture, I tried to get notes from a friends ( class mate) and if I could not understand some parts of lecture, I contacted the lecture during the office hours for more clarification. The field notes were written by hand on lined paper. They consisted of jotted notes and mental triggers (personal notes that would remind me of specific things when it came to writing the notes up). I took some direct observational notes recording what I saw where this was relevant to the research questions and, as I was aiming to get a sense of the culture and working environment, I also made researcher inference notes I found the notes taking process itself helpful, as it ensured that I listened carefully and decoded information. Not all the information I recorded was relevant, but noting what I found informative contributed to my ability to form an overview on re-reading. However, the reliability of jotted notes alone can be questionable. For example, the notes were not a direct transcription of what the subjects said but consisted of pertinent or interesting information. Firstly, the most obvious thing that I discovered was the advantage of working as part of a group. I learned that good teamwork is the key to success in class activities when time and resources are limited. As everyone had their own point of view, many different ideas could be produced and I found the energy of group participation made me feel more energetic about contributing something Secondly I discovered that even the simplest things on earth could be turned into something amazing if we put enough creativity and effort into working on them. Learning Journal Last weeks lecture presented the idea that RIT is the most useful module as a student studying Research in Information Technology module makes this an important issue for me and one I was thinking about while reading journal, texts, and other material is to gain more confidence while I was doing my assignment The first thing I tried in order to read and summarized a journal article is to understand the author and kept in mind e.g. Author of journal always have an argument they are trying to convince something but Also can be good or bad, but I didnt take what author said on blind faith, I questioned them When I read journal articles always remember that I did to write a paper based on what I read e.g. focus on the information in the article that is relevant to my research, think critically about what I read and tried to build my own argument based on it. Basically I look the structure of the article; most research articles follow the same specific format. First I red abstract and conclusion because this have got the main point and if I find anything in the abstract or conclusion that is important for my paper then I search for the information but if I need more information then I read the whole sections. Take notes on the Article Journal There are a few major ways to take notes, but this is a personal style choice I have taken. Pay attention to what each section is about; usually have the most important information. Take notes while I am reading (that way I dont have to go back and re-read it when am doing my assignment) Write summarizing notes for main points ( in the margin, or on a separate pieces of paper ) Highlight only very important quotes or terms. Reference I sometimes read journal articles which seem to need references to assert this module. Nevertheless, I do expect to see adequate reference for assertions. It may take the form of reference to previous writers, or it may be the reference of my own experience or my own arguments, but if it is needed, it will be cited in such a way as to enable me to find it if I wish. More to the point, I expected theory to be used to answer some questions and to pose others, rather than simply regurgitated for its own sake. Im really going to stick my neck out now for what it is worth, I expect a dozen or more references for a module assignment. But I do not expect such reference to be cited uncritically, on the basis that, if someone else has already said it and manage to get it published, it must be true Literate I know this is unfashionable and probably politically incorrect, but in practice I find it difficult to get past it. Literacy is not a sufficient condition to meet PGD level requirements, but in my book it is a necessary one. By literacy I mean: No spelling mistakes No (or very few) grammatical solecisms. No sentences without verbs like this one Punctuation which helps me to make sense of the text. No misused words or malapropisms. . TASK TWO 2.0 CRITICALLY REFLECTIVE REPORT 2.1 INTRODUCTION Critical Reflection in my context is a process of considering what I have learned, how useful it is, and how it may affect my future personal and career development. Critical reflection helps me to give some coherence to my learning by relating it to what I have already known, and to my plans for the future. The nature of reflection is very varied. Reflection may encompass The module is extremely well organized, when I first came into this Module, I really didnt know what to expect. I thought it would be just the same as other module. I was wrong. What we learned on this module is more detailed, I feel like I have become better in researching and presentation. I know this will help me in future. This module did meet my expectations. So many students told me it wasnt an easy module and that it was demanding compared to other module. I am not very satisfied at my progress but I think it wasnt bad at all I gave the module almost all the attention it required. Learned so many new things and Im glad that I did. Things were explained over and over again in this module until I really felt I fully understood. Overall, this course was good. 2.2 MAIN REPORT Method During my studies in Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Business IT Research in Information Technology Ive had to use a multi case study system especially for the research and know how, Due to my quest for information by this system, Ive come about the following draw backs: Lack of appropriate material, appropriate text books for additional research at the learning centre has proved to be a major drawback. However Ive been able to resort of other ways for gaining excess to the appropriate material. Purchasing the books, however being in a 3rd world country, such text books and write ups arent always freely available, which would cause me to have to order these from abroad but given the short time this isnt the best way not to mention the shipping cost. The Internet has been a great resource, however again, some of the best information has to be paid for or ordered using a credit card, something again which isnt freely available to all in a 3rd world country. However, Ive been able to work my way around this obstacle by trying to dig persistently and deeper in to the internet to seek out the appropriate material. Another cause of concern was that during the Tutorials, not all were effectively reviewed and detailed constructive criticism wasnt freely given so as to en-better the students work. This left the student(s) to reflect on ones work and at times get their fellow students to review the work and comment. Learning Outcome Topic Managing Time In this topic I learn how to manage my time during my studies, deciding what am suppose to do, analysing what am doing and categorized my goals e.g.:- Work goals, family goals, community goals and self goals. Planning my activities performed during the day, how long is spent on each activities, listing all the things I must do including schedule activities. To identify what am currently doing and determine whether am spending my time efficiently, categorized the time identified according to time table, activities performed during the day. Assessment Its an academic essay demonstrates both knowledge of topic related to academic writing. A report is a structured document written for a particular purpose and aimed at a specific audience. It should provide clear and concise information written in a formal, academic style. Written Coursework Basically in his topic I have learned how to write a coursework by following three stages. i. Essay Structure ii. Essay type iii. Report structure Before that read the assignment carefully and start working on it reasonably and asked the lecture questions if not clear about anything relating to the assignment. Planning Do understand how to plan Assignment analyzing question asked, reflection on the issue raised and gathering raw material. Draw up a plan of the assignment. Writing Up Understand how to write assignment Sustained Review Do revision of what I have done in the class text book and during my revision I make notice, summarized my notice divide material into topic. Presentation Clarity of oral communication and well developed inter personal skills when interacting in a group or one to one are attributes that makes more successful student, professionals and all round communicator. Listening skills Really key in to what the person is saying and not saying, to look for the meaning and the feelings behind what is being said, to think about and mentally process what I hear eg. Pay attention, show that am listening. Taking notes Basically in this topic I learned how to take notes e.g.: listen and note key points and supporting details. But in this topic we didnt learned how to record lectures, may be because of its involve more time and resources. Working in team Firstly, the most obvious thing that I discovered was the advantage of working as part of a group. I learned that good teamwork is the key to success in class activities when time and resources are limited. As everyone had their own point of view, many different ideas could be produced and I found the energy of group participation made me feel more energetic about contributing something. Background of Critical Reflection By June 2010 it was the end of the Module RIT, I began to realize how demanding this module is, but fortunately, I also realized that I learnt a lot from it. I think my choice to take this course was a good idea. I enjoyed it although it was difficult, this course was the most challenging course, I took this module RIT and I have struggled with it up till the final. As a whole it was a good learning experience, but not an easy one. This is a free elective for me and my performance hasnt been even close to that of other major module. The grade that I get in this module is the lowest compared to other module this semester that is why I re- sit for the second time On successful completion of this module I will be able to identify the broad context of ICT problems, including the problems condition, identifying possible contributing factors, and generating alternative solution strategies. Exhibit good teamwork skills and serve as effective members of multidisciplinary project teams. To critically valuate alternate assumptions, approaches, procedures and result related to IT problems. To create something to integrate ideas into solution, to propose an action plan, to formulate a new classification scheme. To apply knowledge to new situations to solve problems using required knowledge or skills I believe I have benefited a lot from this module. Completion of this module is considered by me to be one of the greatest and proudest accomplishments and for me the next logical step is to take Master of Science in Strategy Business Information Technology Many students become frustrated and find this module difficult because they do not have the cognitive skills required to process information properly, this include ability to analyze, evaluate, retain information, recall experiences, make comparisons and determine action I feel this module has helped me in many ways.   The exercises and moments of frustration in class when I did not understand something or could not get something to work, suddenly became clearer as I tried to apply some of my knowledge to the actual situation.   I was amazed at how  much information I had picked up in class and how quickly the lingo became familiar to me.   Without the instructional  techniques used in this module, the course portion would not be very beneficial.   Sure, anyone can learn procedures and how to make a research, but the understanding of how, what, when, where and why are never very clear.   This is appreciated more than you will ever know. I do not feel there are any significant areas in which the program should be altered.   Everyone has their own weak area and mine is probably in the math portion of the program.   Concepts relating to module are sometimes hard for me to grasp, but I eventually get a handle on them and comprehend their meaning.   Many of the students relate that they have a hard time following the instructional methods in some of the classes, but in my opinion, this is simply a lack of attention, desire, and dedication.   You cannot learn if you do not come to class.   I am amazed at the low attendance in some of the classes.   I really appreciate the support and guidance I got from IMIT especially our lecture Mr. Japhet and Ms. Priti Punatar not only to me but all PGD students. They wanted us to pass with flying colors. They had time for us whether during or outside the lectures, they wanted us to be the best and made every effort to ensure that we achieved that. They went out of our way to help us and hopefully, our results will show that their efforts were not wasted! I believe that the skills that they taught us in this module will be really helpful in the future, Also, I learned a lot about the right way of making presentations and project The Analysis The forming during the early stages of the course. This occurred during Lectures 1 and 2 ( managing time to Peer assessment) whereby a few topics were discussed, such as how to handle a full days work with the extra studying wed now had and trying to understand the syllabus As a result the students were able to participate more fully knowing we had to give our best as the group depended on each one. The forming was highly successful and showed the students had learnt to depend not only on the Lecturer but also on each other. The storming Stage The storming stage was made up of various factors which would include interpersonal issues and reactions due to the answers or responses that we as students received from the lectures. Another case was the delay in starting classes as at times the lecture would wait for all students to arrive, or him-self was late. The students were able to address this in a prompt and professional way by having a group meeting with the Lecturer and address the matter. One thing which was a drawback was the short of one of the students who postpone the course, which in effect broke up one group (which had two students) and cause the remaining student to join the remaining group (of two students), hence the result was that the entire study sessions were now made up of one group having 3 students. 2.3 CONCLUSIONS In conclusion I think this module and specially the module were very beneficial. Module (RIT) skills are invaluable in many different situations. There are some thing that I have done within a group that fits in with the RIT as discussed in the Peppard Book, whether I realized it or not, many of specific reports ,however, I think are often for granted. They are beneficial to realizing the scope and keeping it in focus. In conclusion, I have come to learn that what did I read for this module apart from notes, and what grabbed my attention†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Reflective thinking demands that I have recognized that I bring the valuable knowledge to very experience. It helps; therefore to recognize and clarify the important connections between what I have already known and what I have leant. It is a way of helping to become active, aware and critical. Recommendations Accredited Partner (IMIT) and NCC should commit to the intentional review and strengthening of every Accredited Partner structure and resource that can support transformative learning. NCC should establish routine ways to hear students voices, consult with them, explore their opinions, and document the nature and quality of their experience as a student TASK THREE (Please refer to Power point slide)

A Dummies Guide to Women :: Learning Education Essays

A Dummies' Guide to Women Since the beginning of time (or so it seems) the human male has been known to spend hours contemplating the complexities of the female mind. Prehistoric man would sit on his rock, hands folded against the chin, with the all too familiar look of complete confusion and bewilderment, as he tried to understand what it was exactly that the prehistoric female wanted (or perhaps how to trick her into scampering off with him to his little leaf-filled bed to reproduce). The female, on the other hand, having easily deciphered the mind of the opposite sex, could be found with a similar expression trying to figure out what was so difficult for the male species to comprehend. Why was it so easy for the female to understand the male way of thinking? For the same reason that women today have this ability: males have extremely simple, almost one track, minds! (This is besides the fact that the female is probably more intelligent than her rock-sitting opponent.) Yes, the male mind is motivated by one thing. What is it? Considering the fact that the male was the one to introduce the rest of the world to internet porn and the all-American Hooter girl, I don't think I have to actually put it in writing. No matter how hard it is for us all to admit, a male looks at the opposite sex, checks out the body, then the face, and with his prehistorically motivated mind asks, "Is she doable?" And what does the female think as she notices her opposite? The fact is that female minds are much more complex when it comes to this area. For centuries, people (you sad little males mostly) have tried to unmask the secret paths of the female mind. Predominantly, this is because fem ale views consist of well-thought out perspectives. In contrast to their male companions, females produce thoughts and actions based on emotion as well as sexual desire. This is not to say that females don't act on attraction alone, for it is quite apparent that this often happens. It is instead to say that females need emotional, as well as physical stimulation to truly be happy. However simple this ideology may seem, modern man still seems to be stuck, not on a rock, but instead on a couch, never quite understanding or accepting this explanation.

Funding the Rising Cost of U.S. Health Care Essay

Give your opinion of the rising cost of health care’s overall impact on the U.S. economy It is more expensive for individuals, families and employers to have health care coverage because of the rising cost. Spending on the use of new technologies, treatment, and high cost for medical services. There has also been a high cost on local, federal and state government which led to high cost on to medical and Medicaid. This spending of health care has affected the economy and now people have to choose between a need for health care of the need to have shelter, food, or not having sufficient funding. Health care spending is moving faster than the economy is growing. High health care rising cost is causing the government to re-examine eligibility for public health and rising taxes on the consumers is leading to reduce investments. The U.S. will not be able to compete in the economic global market. These rising cost in health care will affect business, house wholes, providers, employees, health status, income levels, age, and increase premiums. (Rising Health Care Costs ) http://www.ahip.org/Issues/Rising-Health-Care-Costs.aspx â€Å"Health plans are playing a vital role in reducing the cost of care and improving value†¦Ã¢â‚¬  – Karen Ignagni, President & CEO, America’s Health Insurance Plans Health Plan Innovations in Delivery System Reforms, American Journal of Managed Care Compared and contrasted at least two (2) areas of the economy that the new health care act impacts. Small business and middle class families are two areas that the new health care act will impact. It used to be the economic strength in the U.S. was the small business owner. Small business has been strength to the economic by bring diversified groups opportunities of people to the workforce. Small business bring products have that are innovative to the services market. Small business has been able to create new jobs for the economic. However since the housing bubble in 2007 and 2008 small businesses are struggling very hard from the bank credits. Small businesses are the back bone to job growth and innovation for the economy. Small business owners who offer health care insurance to their workers are facing a hit by heavy taxes and high premiums for the employer. Small business pays up to 18% more per worker for health insurance than larger firms. This is a tax disadvantage for small business. Which cause profits to be eaten  up by higher health insurance cost and workers working for lower wages makes the small business workers, product, and market at a disadvantage. Small business(less than 50 workers) is less likely to provided health insurance. Back in the 50s and 60s a middle class family of three could live off a one person income which was the father. Mothers were house wives and people could purchase a home, car, and have a small savings. Families could go on vacation and own a late model car. The burden for middle class families today is the high cost for health care insurance and premiums. There have been an increase in unemployment and employees are scaling back on wages. Credit card debt gone up and slow job creation. Increase in bankruptcy files, income inequality and out-sourcing of America business has been causing problems for the middle class families. This growth in health care spending has change priorities for middle class life style. With saving money, retirement benefit pension, and 401K plans shifting. Middle class person who have been working all their lives, now rick the chance of not having sufficient funds to maintain middle class life style. Will the middle class be able to retire and live a middle class style? Middle class families are not sure if there will be available income for retirement. (http://www.aarp.org/research/ppi/security/impact-of-rising-healthcare-cost-AARP) Debated the main pros and cons of using private insurance versus using the new affordable insurance.  Our population in this country has increase over the last 30 years and because of healthier life style and medical advances people are living longer. This can be a disadvantage to the patients who are using private insurance. This has put a strain on the private health insurance because most companies don’t cover previous medical conditions that cover injuries and short-term illness. Illness is something that happens on its own and worrying whether or not your condition is cover can add stress. After receiving a referral from the internal doctor the patient has to act as its own administrator who calls the insurance company to check, if the cost is cover before they can see a consultant for treatment. If you want more coverage you pay higher premiums. There also a disadvantage of having so  many private health insurance companies to pick from. Each representative only disc usses their company policies and not how their policy compares with others. Leaving the patient not knowing which one is the best offer for you. Private insurance advantages is you can choose where you want to be treated without a long wait. There are specialist teams that will deal with specifically types of conditions. There continuity cares that allows you to be seen by the same consultant until the end of your treatment. The new affordable insurance covers families, small business, and individuals with the cost assistance through the market place program. There are no limits on life time health care which this will cut down on large medical bills for long term illness. This will keep people out of debt. If you make a mistake on your application or if you are sick an insurance company can’t drop you. A person with pre-existing condition can’t be denied care or charge a higher premium. The new affordable insurance allows for parents to keep their children on their plan until the age 26 years old whether they live at home, married, or attend school. The affordable insurance has free preventive care for checkups, well woman visits, mange care to control chronic illness before they become costly to treat or complex. http://obmacarefacts.com/benefitsofobamacare.php) OBMA CARE FACTS dispelling the myths Analyzed the major impact this new health care system may have on different immigrant demographics; Predicted the cost associated with the changing the accommodation to facilities having to review organizational planning in order to actualize these changes

Health and Family Life Education School Nutrition Plan Essay

The goal of the â€Å"Healthy Eating, Active Living Project† at The People’s Cathedral Primary School is to assist children and families in making healthy food choices by supporting nutrition policies, expanding opportunities for nutrition education and focusing on physical improvements in the canteen. In order to bridge school activities with nutrition habits in the home, families will be engaged through school sponsored Family Nights, cooking demonstrations, and nutrition related homework assignments. At the project’s conclusion, the school’s overall nutrition environment will improve substantially, such that healthy eating habits are the norm- rather than the exception. Children will be afforded the opportunity to consume enough energy and nutrients to fuel optimum learning and physical development. Targeted Environments and Population The â€Å"Healthy Eating, Active Living† project will focus on the entire student population The People’s Cathedral Primary School along with their families. The school is located within the St. Michael district, serving 350 students ages 3-12 years in preschool to class four. The school population will primarily be reached through school based intervention. Primary Healthy Eating Challenges to Address Achieving nutrition integrity within a school, means taking a comprehensive approach to program planning, management, operations and integration of nutrition into the total education program of the school. With this in mind, I anticipate working with the following three challenges to create and sustain a healthy eating climate at The People’s Cathedral Primary School. These challenges are: †¢ School policies to support healthy eating habits and choices †¢ Nutrition education as an integral part of the school’s curriculum †¢ Equipment to serve fresh fruits and vegetables in the canteen The People’s Cathedral Primary School is particularly concerned about the nutritional health of their students, who are among the highest-risk groups for childhood obesity and diabetes. The staff of The People’s Cathedral Primary School is highly motivated by the goals and opportunity of the â€Å"Healthy Eating, Ac tive Living† project to pursue more aggressive nutrition policies for their students. Education is an integral component in guiding healthy food choices. As part of the nutrition education integration component of this project I will work diligently with school staff to develop and integrate nutrition education into core subjects. Through this cross-curricular approach, teachers will be able to address multiple learning requirements in a time effective manner. The third challenge of the project is the physical availability of healthful options. It is my belief that the school and community have a shared responsibility to provide all students with access to high-quality foods as an integral part of the total education program. The People’s Cathedral Primary School has demonstrated the receptivity to nutritional interventions through a morning snack program. However, while fruit and vegetable consumption is up, The People’s Cathedral Primary School is without a plan to continue incorporation of fresh fruits and vegetables into the student’s diets in a sustainable manner. Through this project proposal, the school would purchase a salad bar that would deliver fruits and vegetables on an ongoing and sustainable basis. Proposed methods of increasing access to healthy food and healthy eating choices The overall goal of the â€Å"Healthy Eating, Active Living† is to help children make healthy food and activity choices by supporting policies, nutrition education and physical improvements at The People’s Cathedral Primary School. Improvements in all three areas will result in a school norm that supports healthy food habits and choices. Goal 1: Develop and maintain an Effective Partnership to promote healthy eating. Goal 1’s main tactics are to form a workgroup within the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), complete assessments, develop an action plan for the school, and pursue additional financial support. This workgroup will provide oversight and technical assistance to the project. Assessments will be completed to review food consumption patterns, school nutrition policy, and need for physical improvements to the kitchen and canteen. Parents and teachers who are culinary experts with experience in improving kitchen and canteen environments will assist. Additional funding will be pursued, specifically to support a full kitchen and cafeteria renovation. Goal 2: Increase community awareness of the health and other benefits of healthy eating The main tactics of Goal 2 are to develop a health promotion campaign, encourage healthy foods from diverse cultures, and develop a video highlighting project activity. The project will work with local culinary experts such as Chef Peter Edey and Chef John Hazzard as well as students, staff and families to develop fun, engaging, and culturally relevant health promotion materials to be posted throughout the school and to be sent home. As an example, a Healthy Eating Map that highlights inexpensive places to purchase healthy foods, will be developed and distributed to the school community. Project staff will coordinate quarterly Family Nights to promote healthy foods from diverse cultures through cooking demonstrations and celebrations. The school will introduce an ethnic food menu. The local media will be enlisted to promote events at the school. Lastly, Class 3 and 4 students will create a video o f project activities and impacts to share with surrounding schools. Goal 3: Increase access to and availability of diverse healthy eating programs The primary tactics of Goal 3 are to introduce nutrition education, promotions and programs into the school. Nutrition education will be enhanced through a variety of projects. First, the school will introduce a salad bar into the school meal program. Second, the school will work with community agencies to offer cooking demonstrations for all classroom and families. Third, this project will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and school staff to bridge the connection between the canteen and the classroom, better integrate nutrition education into core subject areas, and provide nutrition field trips to local farms. Finally, the school will work with The Ministry of Agriculture during the summer to increase nutrition opportunities for the students they work with. The increased collaboration of school staff on promoting nutrition will allow positive nutritional messages to be reinforced in a variet y of settings throughout the school. Staff will also benefit as they increase their knowledge level about healthy nutrition. Goal 4: Enhance policy and organizational supports for healthy eating . In order to address Goal 4, I will work with a core group of staff to complete an assessment of the school’s nutrition environment and policies using Ministry of Agriculture assessment tool. The school will be asked to focus on a small number of policies. Partnering agencies will support the school in implementing current and new nutrition policies through training, technical support and incentives. The group will also work with local culinary experts to assess the existing canteen environment to see how the school can include a salad bar into their existing space and streamline how food is served so that children are standing in line less. The adoption of these policies will help create a school norm supportive of a healthy nutrition environment. Goal 5: Improve built environments, facilities, equipment, and other supports for healthy eating Goal 5 deals with the physical changes needed at the school to support healthier eating. The school canteen is currently without a salad bar and bulletin boards for promoting good nutrition. The project would allow the school to purchase a salad bar, bulletin boards, and other equipment needed to prepare and promote fresh fruits and vegetables. The project will also allow for physical improvements needed in the school garden to supplement nutrition education activities.