458 - SCHOOL WELLNESS
Healthy nutrition and regular physical activity are essential for students to perform at their fullest potential. The District strives to provide a physical, emotional and social environment, which serves as a supportive context for intellectual challenge and growth. The District will contribute to the health of children through the promotion of good nutrition and physical activity as a part of the total learning environment. Section 204 of Public Law 108-265 requires the following four components:1. Goals for nutrition, education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness
Provide a school environment that includes educational opportunities for students in nutrition education, health education, and physical education. The district curriculum will enable students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy food choices and physical activity habits for a lifetime.
Nutrition education will be integrated into all curricular areas to provide students with a consistent message.
The physical education curriculum will emphasize knowledge and skills for a lifetime of regular physical activity, be consistent with state and national standards, include a wide variety of physical activities, and encourage participation in physical activity outside of school.
The physical education curriculum will include the five components of physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and body composition).
Students will be given the opportunity for physical activity during the school day through grade appropriate recess time and other physical activity that is integrated into the curriculum.
Provide students access, through the food service program, to adequate and healthy food choices on scheduled school days. Encourage the consumption of nutrient dense foods, i.e., whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Minimize student access to foods of low nutritional value.
Anyone who brings a group snack will be encouraged to use whole grains, fruits, vegetables, or other foods that make a positive contribution to children’s diet and health. Encourage parents to provide nutritional treats that are prepackaged.
Offer healthy food choices priced to be more attractive to students than unhealthy ones.
Minimize the use of foods or beverages of high-fat or high-sugar content for group sales or parties for students during the school day.
Encourage increased consumption of water throughout the day.
2. Guidelines for foods available on each school campus during the school day with objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity
The district will follow the USDA National School Lunch Program Guidelines in planning meals offered. Meals served through the school lunch program and breakfast program shall, over the course of five days, derive no more than 30% of their total calories from fat and less than 10% of total calories from saturated and trans fats combined.
Food service will follow the U.S. Government’s Nutrition Standards and federal guidelines regarding sodium content in all food served.
Milk will be available to all students. The school lunch program will serve milk with every reimbursable meal.
Milk, water and fruit juices may be sold throughout the school day. No candy, soda pop or other sweetened drinks (iced teas, sport or fruit-based drinks) will be sold.
Minimize the use of foods of low nutritional value used as learning or behavior incentives. When using food as part of a class or student incentive program, staff and students are strongly encouraged to utilize healthy, nutritious food choices. When curricular-based food experiences are planned, staff and students are strongly encouraged to seek out healthy nutrition choices whenever appropriate
Foods and beverages sold or distributed will comply with food nutrition guidelines. Classroom teachers will consult with the head cook to ascertain whether a food item meets nutritional guidelines. The classroom teacher will need authorization from the building principal to deviate from these guidelines.
3. Assurance that guidelines for reimbursable meals shall not be less restrictive than regulation and guidance established by the Secretary of Agriculture
The district strictly adheres to the income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced meals as established by the Secretary of Agriculture and disseminated to the district through the Department of Instruction. Income eligibility information is published annually. All requests for free and reduced meals are processed using state/federal-approved forms. The district utilizes a pass code system that maintains confidentiality for students purchasing free and reduced meals.
4. Establish a plan for measuring the implementation of policy including the designation of administration and other school personnel charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that the district is meeting the policy
The district Food Service Director (Head Cook) and Building Administrators will be responsible for ensuring that each school meets the local policy and will implement practices and procedures for meeting the requirements of the wellness policy.
The District Administrator will periodically meet with the Food Service Director (Head Cook), Building Administration, and at least one certified staff person from each building to review policy and make recommendations for improvements to the Board Policy Committee.
Legal Reference: Section 204 of Public Law 108-265 (June 30, 2004)
PI 18.03 High School Graduation Standards
State Statutes 115.34; 115.341; 115.343
Approved: December 19, 2007
Posted: 01/18/2008 12:53:47 pm