What will happen if students eat only fresh, local foods in school? Will their grades improve? Will absences go down? It is a study going on at Richmond’s St. Andrew’s School, and the kids are eating it up!
There is excitement in the lunch line. Today’s menu is another great one: burgers made with beef and beet, plus plenty of produce.
“I like how at the salad bar we can have eggs and cucumbers and sometimes tomatoes,” says fifth grade student Joshua Bush.
This program is built on a partnership with a purpose. Chefs from Edible Education cook and serve up fresh food brought in by Field of Dreams Farm. About 90% is grown nearby. At the beginning of the year, nurses checked each student’s weight, height and general health. Now they are following them to see how this fresh food is fuel for the classroom.
“When you’re eating healthy, you’re able to pay attention, stay focused,” says Cyndy Weldon-Lassiter, the St. Andrew’s Head of School.
Although many details still need to be confirmed, including which August weekend has been reserved, exciting aspects are starting to take shape. Some big names in blip hop have already been invited (though their appearances still need to be scheduled), including German techno duo Mouse on Mars, Matthew Herbert, and blip hop enthusiast and Grammy-winning pop musician David Byrne (formerly of the Talking Heads). Local artist ENE (aka Scott Hudgins) has definitely committed and plans to attend the entire symposium. Regardless of the final line up, tickets will be free and offered first come first serve (reserve now by calling the church office at 804-648-7980)
Asked why St. Andrew’s Church and School is so interested in blip hop, church leadership pointed to several factors. St. Andrew’s, of course, does have historic Welsh and Scottish links to the Northern European culture that David Byrne himself has praised in blip hop. “We realized that we do have tangible links to electronic music”, said one vestry board member. He mentioned the renovated St. Andrew’s House (236 S. Laurel Street) as previously being the starting place of the seminal band LaBradford. He also said that there had been some past confusion between the church’s EFM (Education for Ministry) group and EDM (a popular acronym for Electronic Dance Music).
St. Andrew’s rector, Rev. Abbott Bailey, herself a not-so-secret Zap Mama fan, said that she sees the blip hop symposium as “a way to engage with the lost children of the nineties.”
A member of Grace-On-The-Hill, a youth ministry of St. Andrew’s Church in partnership with the Diocese of Virginia, had this thought to offer:
“Instead of just rhythm pounding on like a soothing metronome, creativities and personalities layer atop it. Things meld together as strong but diverse parts join the score. Life departs what we’ve known and suddenly feels nothing like the squishy, germ-filled meat mush in the grind nor the innocent swing of habit; it transforms into a grand experience of unity within a beat. Different components add to the piece, and it is far too complex to brave its performance alone.”
City of Richmond Firefighters came to visit Miss Davis’ kindergarten class, teaching the students about fire safety and answering lots of questions. They let the children touch the equipment and see them in their masks so it wouldn’t be so scary if they ever saw them at a real fire. Climbing the truck was, of course, the highlight! Thank you, RFD!
Delivering a well-rounded education has been the mission of teachers and staff at Saint Andrew’s school for several generations. And the founder of the school has been changing students’ lives for 120 years and counting.
Each morning begins the same at St. Andrew’s School with a warm smile and or hug like clockwork.
At St. Andrews on South Cherry Street, students immerse themselves in an education that is so much more than just the three “Rs.”
Teachers and staff push students to achieve greatness.
“What we do is about their social and emotional well-being as well as their academics,” second-grade teacher Kathy Tappen said. “I wish Richmonders really knew about this treasure.”
Violins, violins, violins – we just can’t get enough! Our small Ensemble group will play during the 11:00am service at St. Andrew’s Church this Sunday. 236 South Laurel Street – right next door to the school. Come on out and support our musicians!
Come on out for our world famous Halloween Parade tomorrow morning at 8:30am. Let’s show SAS students what Rock Stars we think they are! Here’s a preview from last week’s Fall Festival.
This is a good reminder to look out for the little ones tomorrow.
Join us tonight at Baker’s Crust in Carytown! Enjoy a delicious meal with friends or family and Baker’s Crust will donate 15% of the evening’s proceeds to St. Andrew’s School. Hope to see you there!
