{"id":27217,"date":"2026-03-27T10:43:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T14:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/?page_id=27217"},"modified":"2026-03-31T09:22:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T13:22:39","slug":"students-take-charge-toolkit","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/nutrition-education-and-resources\/curriculums\/students-take-charge-toolkit\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Take Charge Toolkit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><strong>History of the Students Take Charge Program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The University of Rhode Island (URI) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education (SNAP-Ed) team has led the Students Take Charge (STC) program since 2015. For over a decade, students have been empowered to become wellness advocates in their schools by having the opportunity to see their community reflected in school meals and to recognize their meaningful voice in shaping their environment. The STC program supports the adoption of healthy eating behaviors and provides students with tools to positively influence the nutrition environment around them. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-third_column alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"364\" height=\"278\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1241\/Capture-364x278.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1241\/Capture-364x278.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1241\/Capture-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1241\/Capture-768x587.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1241\/Capture-500x382.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1241\/Capture.jpg 830w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1bar17o70f5pRvWZkMaBqEkkeykHFGsdt\/view?usp=sharing\" title=\"Download Full Toolkit\">Download Full Toolkit HERE!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The STC program goals are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Educating students on the benefits of healthy eating, with a focus on fruits and vegetables.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identifying barriers to better nutrition and developing solutions that can be applied at school and at home<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learning how policies, systems, and their home and school environment affect behaviors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Introducing students to their district\u2019s Wellness Committee and encouraging connection and advocacy\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Inspiring long-term engagement in school wellness policy and practices<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>STC is an 8-lesson school-based policy, system, and environment (PSE) intervention that empowers students to make changes in what they eat at school and at home, particularly in their intake of fruit and vegetables, and to see their community represented in the school meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to highlighting the importance and benefits of fruits and vegetables in the diet, lessons also incorporate the following topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>MyPlate and the five food groups<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local produce, seasonality, and supporting local farms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reading and writing recipes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understanding food marketing and its influence on food choices<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Research on the effectiveness of the STC program, conducted during the 2017-2019 implementation years, indicates that students participating in the STC program show significant improvements in their knowledge of policy, systems, and environmental interventions, as well as their self-efficacy to ask for fruits and vegetables at home and in the school environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Made Possible by USDA Team Nutrition Grant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The University of Rhode Island (URI) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program &#8211; Education (SNAP-Ed) team created the Students Take Charge (STC) program to improve the lives of upper elementary students across the state. Schools are determined based on the desire to participate in the program. The STC program provided eight 40-minute lessons weekly, focusing on nutrition education, PSE efforts, student advocacy, and recipe creation. Students take the practical lessons home to their families, where more fresh fruits and vegetables are added to the plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the Team Nutrition grant, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), URI SNAP-Ed, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Johnson &amp; Wales University, and Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition set a goal to expand the successful STC program so that all students in Rhode Island can participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this turn-key toolkit, we aim to provide the resources necessary for any community<br>member, parent, teacher, or local wellness committee member to add the STC program to their<br>school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Use the Toolkit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Students Take Charge (STC) Toolkit provides best practices, timelines, handouts, and<br>curriculum for the nutrition education program. To ease the burden of delivering this great<br>program to Rhode Island students, the toolkit includes these resources for the following lesson<br>types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>8-week, fully scripted lessons<br>Each lesson equates to a 40-minute session<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>12 video lessons for elementary-aged students<br>Each video is approximately 5 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>12 video lessons for middle and high school-aged students<br>Each video is approximately 12 minutes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The goals are the same for any STC lesson option; the user decides which works best for their group of students. Additionally, the user can choose to use the lessons together or separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1bar17o70f5pRvWZkMaBqEkkeykHFGsdt\/view?usp=sharing\" title=\"Download Full Toolkit\">Download \nFull Toolkit<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1ob4wf7kCN0LZIlPSt8avBA9v7rotPncbQZm7XPTArx0\/edit?usp=drive_link\" title=\"Download Full Toolkit\">Download Announcement \nFlyer 1<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1FNZ20Cy0XLXrDEwDZ1nPPC3L-teH1yzwjuwGaTSjzx4\/edit?usp=drive_link\" title=\"Download Full Toolkit\">Download Announcement \nFlyer 2<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column section-intro is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1nZ_3yusoB7wsvw72Z9fvuWh-XFPVobSV\/edit?usp=drive_link&amp;ouid=117790473941977909149&amp;rtpof=true&amp;sd=true\" title=\"Download Full Toolkit\">Download\nPress Release<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column section-intro is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/10RCq-ey_GdUyRsrQWl9O71JXX4YudEH2\/view?usp=drive_link\" title=\"Download Full Toolkit\">Download Training \nSlide Deck<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column section-intro is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1K4z3RvSTp_bge4WHrFqvPWaDmPjowd8n\/view?usp=drive_link\" title=\"Download Full Toolkit\">VIEw Building Cultural Competency in School Meals Video<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column section-intro is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><a class=\"cl-button   prominent\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1CvwkboVbYHCfdfJTnvyq_x9UbSaWJorn\/view?usp=drive_link\" title=\"Download Full Toolkit\">VIEw Teacher<br \/> \nTraining VIDEO<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">USDA Nondiscrimination Statement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights<br>regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race,<br>color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or<br>reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with<br>disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g.,<br>Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or<br>local agency that administers the program or USDA\u2019s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice<br>and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027,<br>USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf\">https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf<\/a>, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant\u2019s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights1400<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>fax:(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>email:program.intake@usda.gov<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This institution is an equal opportunity provider.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>History of the Students Take Charge Program The University of Rhode Island (URI) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Education (SNAP-Ed) team has led the Students Take Charge (STC) program since 2015. For over a decade, students have been empowered to become wellness advocates in their schools by having the opportunity to see their community reflected in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4221,"featured_media":0,"parent":5766,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"26256,22823,18857,25750,25822,23694","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-27217","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4221"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27217"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27217\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27247,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27217\/revisions\/27247"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/community-nutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}