The commission will be co-chaired by Board member Elaine Gantz Berman and Reginald “Reggie” Washington, a prominent pediatric cardiologist from Colorado who, among many other regional and national appointments, is co-chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ National Task Force on Obesity.

“Clearly students spend a good part of their day with us … and we need to make sure students know the difference between good nutrition and poor nutrition and the importance of physical activity,” said Board member Berman. Denver Public Schools, she added, will lead the nation in exploring how schools can make changes to lower obesity rates, which have doubled in Colorado over the past decade.

The resolution approved by the Board calls on the commission to “examine effective practices in schools and recommend policies and standards which would have a positive impact on students’ nutrition, health, and physical well-being.”

The resolution further directs that the district would adopt those recommended practices that are “affordable and promote the long-term health, life-long learning, and overall well-being of our children.”
Board member Berman said commission members would be appointed in the next two or three weeks and would expect to make recommendations in six to eight months.

Superintendent Jerry Wartgow said the effort would directly support district goals – setting high expectations, improving the performance of all students, and closing the gap between better and poorer performing students. “We know that healthy children learn better,” he said.