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Pre-K students and their families learn about nutrition with Feeding Westchester

Elementary students with their parents cooking in the kitchen, assisted by Mount Vernon High School students
Pre-K students and their families learn about nutrition with Feeding Westchester

Elementary students from various schools and their parents were showing off their cooking skills while they learned about the importance of nutrition on Thursday, October 26, 2023. In collaboration with Feeding Westchester, families learned how to make various delicious dishes, such as sweet potato fries, pear quesadillas, and pumpkin cookies.

Feeding Westchester is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to nourish neighbors in the fight against hunger. Monique Marshall, nutrition resource manager and registered dietitian at Feeding Westchester, visited the class to help them sharpen their kitchen skills. 

“We have partnered with Mount Vernon City School District for a little over a year now to do the Kids in the Kitchen program,” said Ms. Marshall. “The basis of this really is to educate and empower parents or caregivers and their children on healthy ways to eat and overall wellness.”

Before heading into the kitchen, students were able to color their own aprons, as well as receive a cookbook, produce to take home to cook with and more. Mount Vernon High School students assisted families and the elementary students with prepping and creating their meals. 

Mother of Lena and Danielle Nicolas, Olivia, expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the program and her excitement to get in the kitchen.

“I absolutely love the program because it is quality time with my girls, but we are also introduced to new ways of cooking, new recipe ideas, new ways to cook with things we already use at home,” said Olivia.

Families are ecstatic to bring groceries and knowledge home to continue practicing their skills. This program will run again in spring 2024.

Mother with daughters smiling in the kitchen.
Student trying a pear.
Students and parents coloring aprons.
Student washing hands as they prepare to cook.
Betty Rosa, Adriane Saunders, and Dr. Smith.
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Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Board of Education President Adriane Saunders, and Assistant Superintendent for Business Jose Formoso attended the Conference of Big 5 School Districts annual fall meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

Stacia Fogg with students
Our Students, Now: Pre-K Teacher Stacia Fogg

Now a pre-K teacher at Edward Williams School, Stacia Fogg graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1988. She has been a teacher in the Mount Vernon City School District since 1999 and now spends her time guiding students and their families through the first years of their education.  She is also a member of the executive board for the Mount Vernon Federation of Teachers. 

View the Q+A with her here!

Students representatives from across the district come together for the November Student Advisory Meeting
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