Oliver Foundation Newsletter April 2025

April 2025

Volume 21 Issue 4

A Word about Breakfast

As schools enter the "testing" season, we are all told that breakfast is essential on "testing" days. Let's remember Breakfast is essential every day as it may positively affect learning in children in terms of behavior, cognitive, and school performance. We all want our kids to excel in school every day. The meaning of breakfast is to break the fast. Imagine trying to drive your car to work without gas? That is what you are asking your kids to do, run their brains without a new source of energy.

Breakfast consumption is also associated with positive outcomes for diet quality, micronutrient intake, weight status and lifestyle factors. It's a meal to supply your kids with protein to build strong bones and muscles, calcium from dairy products for strong bones and teeth, vitamin C for growth, development and repair of all body tissues and the absorption of iron, to mention a few benefits.

Even if you are taking classes at home or hybrid, breakfast is still essential every day to maximize your brain power.

Remember breakfast is great for every member of the family every day.

Deborah L Woehler, MS, RDN, LD

Oliver Foundation Executive Director

Oliver Foundation Healthy Choices Grant

Next Deadline April 15, 2025

Apply Now

Action for Healthy Kids

Every Kid Healthy Week April 21-25, 2025

We are excited to invite your school and/or district to participate in Every Kid Healthy Week to promote health and wellness in schools across the nation. This year, Every Kid Healthy Week will take place April 21-25, and we would love for your schools and districts to join us in celebrating and fostering healthy habits among students.

Plan fun and engaging activities that promote physical activity, nutrition, and overall well-being, and let us know how you're celebrating by registering your school! Participating schools and districts will also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $1,000 grant to support their health and wellness initiatives. Register today and be part of this nationwide movement to create healthier school environments!

Upcoming Webinar Series

Action for Healthy Kids is hosting a webinar series covering a variety of school health topics.

April 15: School Health Advisory Committees (SHACs) Register Here

May 6: Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) Register Here

Webinars on Wellness Policies and Unassigned Medications

will be offered in June 2025

Funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services with support provided by CDC cooperative agreement DP2302

Congratulations to our newly elected officers for 2025-2026

President: Ayla Patel, Vice President: Jack Brown

Secretary: Matthew Chuan, Treasurer: Sophia Burnette

Co-Event Coordinators: Niketa Pati & Ariyana Patel

Co-Community Outreach & Social Media Coordinators:

Raina Sheth & Summer Galinsky

Welcome to our new Teen Advisory Board Members:

Anjali Bhavsar, Johnny Brown, Tanish Gade,

Kareena Gill and Maya Patel

“YEAH!”– YOUTH EXCITED ABOUT HEALTh! Our goal is to inspire and motivate our generation to live healthy, balanced life and make healthy choices. The Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board was established in 2004 and remains an active advisory board to the Oliver Foundation.

The Oliver Foundation Teen Advisory Board is a 15 member organization represented by students across the Houston area. Each month you'll meet a different member who will share their perspective on living a healthy life.

Ariyana Patel

Teen Board Secretary

Travis High School - Richmond, TX

Teen Board Member 2021 – Present

Spring into Wellness

As we welcome April, it’s the perfect time to refresh your health goals and embrace the season of renewal! This month, we’re focusing on stress awareness, healthy habits, and springtime fitness to keep you feeling your best.

Stress Awareness Month: Take small steps to manage stress—practice mindfulness, get enough sleep, and take breaks when needed. Mental health is just as important as physical health!

Spring Cleaning Your Diet: Swap out processed foods for fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Hydrate well and try seasonal produce like asparagus, strawberries, and leafy greens.

Move More Outdoors: Warmer weather is a great excuse to get outside! Try a morning walk, an outdoor yoga session, or a new sport to keep your body active.

Health Tip of the Month: Did you know that spending just 20 minutes in nature can reduce stress levels? Take advantage of the fresh air and sunshine!

Ariyana Patel

April 2025

Teen Board Recipe

Matthew Chuan

Co-Event Coordinator

Mini Carrot Garden

What’s an Easter bunny’s favorite food? It’s carrots! Now that warmer temperatures are coming, you can create your own simple yet delicious carrot garden at home.

Nothing caps a morning of looking for Easter eggs like an edible, nutrient packed carrot garden!

Ingredients:

Hummus, any kind

Baby carrots, or regular sliced carrot sticks

Celery

Pretzel Sticks

Bell Peppers

Cherry tomatoes

Recipe:

1: Cut the celery and bell peppers into thin slices about the length of your finger

and half the width. If you are using regular carrots, then cut them in a

similar manner.

2: Get a small bowl or to make it realistic, a small clay pot, and fill it with hummus

to act as your "dirt".

3: Plant your garden! Push your vegetables into the hummus to act as plants. Apart from the vegetables, you can add cilantro or other green herbs for flavor and color.

4: Enjoy your garden! Add vegetables on the side in case you have extra "dirt" left over.

The Oliver Foundation

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Suite F, #256

Houston, TX 77007

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