It seems a school’s Wellness Program has worked a little too well. Students at Northside Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale, FL refused to sell fundraising candy after learning how to eat healthy in their school’s grant-funded Schools of Wellness Program.

“If we are learning about the wellness program and we are selling candy, it’s not right, because we are trying to eat healthy,” said Sherline Saintremy, a fourth-grader.

The kids needed $17,000 to go on a field trip and without the candy fund-raising, it looked like they wouldn’t go. Enter Veronica Atkins, the widow of Dr. Robert C. Atkins, creator of the Atkins Diet. Mrs. Atkins has said she will donate $16,000 to help the kids out.

“I was so proud when the children said you’re telling us not to go out and eat sugar and then you ask us to sell it. I said no way am I going to let them down and not let them go on the field trip.”, said Atkins.

So all is well in the world. The kids learned how to eat healthy and they got to go on their field trip without selling candy. Let’s just hope they don’ t now think that when they stand up to authority they get rewarded with cash.

Students Refuse To Sell Candy [nbc6.net]
Gift From Atkins [Guardian Unlimited]

UPDATE: This story just appeared on BoingBoing (since I submitted it to them), but remember, you heard it here first!

candy, fundraising, students, kids, children, elementary, school, atkins, diet