Student Wellness

Rethinking Rewards: Moving Beyond Food

For many families, using treats like candy or dessert as a reward can feel quick and effective. However, relying on food to motivate behavior can unintentionally teach kids to link eating with emotions rather than hunger. Over time, this may shape habits that are hard to break. The good news? There are plenty of non-food rewards that are just as motivating—and often more meaningful.

Why choose non-food rewards?
Non-food incentives help children build healthy relationships with both food and motivation. They also encourage intrinsic rewards like pride, responsibility, and confidence.

Ideas for Non-Food Rewards

Special Time & Attention

• Pick the bedtime story
• Stay up 15 minutes later
• One-on-one time with a parent (walk, game, or chat)

Activity-Based Rewards

• Choose a movie or family game
• Pick dinner or help cook a favorite meal
• Extra outdoor playtime or bike ride

Tangible (Non-Food) Rewards

• Stickers or small toys
• A new book or coloring activity
• Points toward a bigger prize (like a trip or outing)

Privilege-Based Rewards

• Choose the music in the car
• Invite a friend over
• Be the “family helper” or decision-maker for the day

Tips for Success

• Match the reward to your child’s interests
• Keep rewards immediate and attainable for younger kids
• Celebrate effort, not just results
• Gradually shift toward praise and internal motivation

By using creative alternatives to food, you’re not only encouraging positive behavior—you’re helping your child build healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Wichita Public Schools Student Wellness Board of Education Policies can be viewed by clicking the links below.

P7500 Student Wellness: Overview

P7503 Student Wellness: Nutrition Guidelines for Students

P7501 Student Wellness: Health Education

P7502 Student Wellness: Physical Activity and Education

Student Health & Wellness Committee Meeting – March 26, 2026  The Student Health & Wellness Committee met and reviewed progress on district wellness goals. Members discussed upcoming wellness communications that will align with the school calendar and be shared through district channels. The district is currently updating website content to make information easier for students and families to find.  As part of ongoing program oversight, Nutrition Services successfully completed its administrative review with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) with no findings or required meal reimbursements, marking an important milestone for the department.  The committee reviewed plans to update the Wellness Impact Tool in May, as required under the School Nutrition Program agreement with KSDE. A smaller working group will meet to complete this update. The committee also discussed recently proposed state legislation that could impact school nutrition programs. At the time of the meeting, two bills related to meal eligibility verification and food additives were not advancing.

Student Health & Wellness Committee Meeting – January 29, 2026
The Student Health & Wellness Committee met to review progress on district wellness goals. Updates included ongoing efforts to expand locally sourced foods, plans to share easy, healthy recipes with students, and continued assessment of physical activity practices. The committee also discussed next steps for launching a district‑wide wellness communication plan, shifting from a traditional newsletter to ongoing health and wellness messaging across district platforms, with an initial rollout planned for the fall.

Student Health & Wellness Committee Meeting – October 21, 2025
The Student Health & Wellness Committee met to discuss results from the district’s Wellness Impact Tool, and establish long‑term wellness goals with guidance of a KSDE wellness consultant in attendance. The committee identified one goal in each focus area—nutrition, nutrition education, physical activity, and integrated school‑based wellness—with an emphasis on achievable, district‑wide impact. Key initiatives include expanding locally sourced foods, sharing healthy recipes through a wellness newsletter, assessing opportunities to increase physical activity, and launching an integrated district Wellness newsletter by year‑end.

Student Health & Wellness Committee Meeting – January 30, 2025
The Student Health & Wellness Committee met to share updates across departments and confirm goals for the school year. Key discussion focused on planning and approval of a district Wellness newsletter, including proposed content areas, timelines, and distribution methods. The committee outlined a rollout plan for two newsletter issues in the first year and identified next steps for seeking District Leadership Team approval.

Student Health & Wellness Committee Meeting – October 24, 2024
The Student Health & Wellness Committee met to review its purpose and begin planning priorities for the school year. Members discussed results from the district’s Wellness Impact Tool and formed working groups focused on nutrition, nutrition education, physical activity, and integrated school‑based wellness. The committee also explored ideas for improving communication, including the development of a district wellness newsletter, and identified key areas for future follow‑up.