When the school year began this August at Northlawn Junior High School in Streator, a few items were missing -- specifically the pizza, nachos and ice cream from the a la carte menu in the cafeteria. In their place students found turkey and veggie wraps, salads and fresh fruit.

At Wallace Elementary School, a popular fundraiser has gone by the wayside. Traditionally, eighth-grade students have been allowed to purchase pop during lunchtime, but that practice has been brought to a halt this school year, with alternate beverages, such as flavored waters, to be considered.

Just like schools across the country, local districts spent last year analyzing what part they play in establishing healthy lifestyle practices for their students. Districts then adopted a wellness policy, as mandated under federal law.

Now it's time to put those policies into practice.

While local districts have not taken the drastic steps found in other schools nationwide -- banning cupcakes for classroom parties -- parents should expect to see some changes and should plan on making some changes themselves.

"It's nothing drastic," said Oris Bunn, assistant superintendent for the Streator Elementary School District. "We are recommending healthy snacks versus traditional sugar snacks but we are not banning anything."

At the same time, small changes have been made on school lunch menus at SES, introducing more fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk and whole grains -- including in the pizza crust. On Northlawn's a la carte menu, the high-fat chips and foods have been replaced with lower fat options, including salads, 100 percent juices and hot pretzels.

While SES food service manager True Gallick hasn't heard too much complaining, "they still don't want the fruits and vegetables. They don't complain about the low-fat milk and they have been eating the whole grains. They are still soft, so they eat them. But I do see them not eating the fresh fruit and vegetables."

Jim Carlson, superintendent at Wallace and Rutland elementary school districts, said changes will be minimal under the new wellness policies at his schools.

Candy and treats are still permitted on occasion in the classroom. Concession stands will still be open during sporting events. Lunch items will still be aimed at overall nutrition, though subtle changes -- like adding more wheat bread -- will be gradually introduced.

Shepherd Middle School Principal Michael Bannister, who served on the committee that drafted the wellness policy for the Ottawa Elementary School District, agreed that not much will change for parents bringing in treats for classroom parties within his district.

As has always been the practice, parents should check with the teacher or building principal before bringing in treats for a child's birthday. The occasional cupcakes or cookies are viewed as a something special and will be permitted, though alternative selections may be encouraged as well.

"We love it when students bring in treats for their birthdays and for snacks," said Laura Dawson, principal of Lincoln School. "We encourage healthy snacks and offer suggestions. We also have students that have allergies to certain foods, so those teachers give that information to parents."

In addition, teachers are also being encouraged to offer rewards other than candy in their classrooms, though the policy stops short of banning anything.

Wellness policies are not only aimed at food. Districts also have reinforced a commitment to regular physical activity during the school day in the form of recess and P.E. classes.

"(A healthy lifestyle) has a lot to do with kids getting exercise," Bannister said.

Most local elementary school districts offer regular recess times and physical education classes daily, but for other districts nationwide those programs have been slashed to create more time on task for mathematics or reading.

Because local districts never made this switch, their wellness policies reinforce what is already in practice.

"There has been an over-reaction to No Child Left Behind," said Carlson. "(Doing away with recess or physical education) is part of that. Research will tell you that kids need a break or they can't concentrate. Taking a break actually helps them learn better."

While these changes in school eating habits and promoting exercise are aimed at curbing obesity rates in children, educators and health experts agree that it will take a joint effort with parents for waistlines to begin shrinking.

As Carlson pointed out, even without students being able to purchase pop at school, they still have the option to bring pop in the lunch bag packed by Mom or Dad.

As for the school's part in a student's overall nutrition, local educators agree it is all about balance.

"We're asking people to think about nutrition, to look at nutrition and health," said Bunn. "We're preaching it, but at the same time we're trying to be reasonable."