***  If you have questions or concerns about the District Wellness Policy, and/or you would like to be involved in future wellness committee activities, and/or you have identified needed changes within the wellness policy; please reach out to the District office by sending a message to Cassondra Dick.  

Downloadable Wellness Policy (PDF)

The District is committed to providing a school environment that promotes and protects children's health, well-being, and the ability to learn by fostering healthy eating and physical activity. The District has established a Wellness Committee to develop the District's proposed local Wellness Policy, making such policy recommendations for review and adoption by the Board of Education. The District's Wellness Committee includes, but is not limited to, representatives from each of the following groups:

a) Parents;

b) Cafeteria Manager;

c) The School Board;

d) School administrators; and

e) Teachers, to include at least: Health and Physical Education.

The District Wellness Committee will assess current activities, programs and policies available in the District; identify specific areas of need within the District; develop the policy; and provide mechanisms for implementation, evaluation, revision and updating of the policy. The Wellness Committee is established to represent the local community's perspective in developing the Wellness Policy for the District.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION EDUCATION

The District will utilize a vertically aligned health curriculum for grades K through 12. Curriculum will be coordinated with the existing 8 through 12 health program.

The District will develop nutrition education to facilitate the voluntary adoption of healthy eating habits and other nutrition-related behaviors conducive to health and well-being by developing and implementing standards for classroom teaching, education, marketing and promotion links outside the classroom, fundraising activities, and teacher training.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Implementation of a health curriculum will strive to increase student's physical movement to include establishment of new programs. New programs may include recess activity and expansion of accessing existing exercise equipment. In addition, tracking of student progress may also be implemented.

The District will provide opportunities for every student to develop the knowledge and skills for specific physical activities, to maintain physical fitness, to regularly participate in physical activity, and to understand the short-term and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle.

OTHER SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITIES

The District wishes to establish a school environment that presents consistent wellness messages and is conducive to healthy eating and physical activity for all. In order to present a coordinated school approach where District decision-making related to nutrition and physical activity encompasses all aspects of the school, the Wellness Committee has determined that the following standards are necessary to achieve this goal:

a) Federal School Meal Programs

The District will participate to the maximum extent practical in available federal school meal programs: School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program (including after-school snacks). The District anticipates adding a Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program.

b) Access to School Nutrition Programs

The District will take all steps necessary to provide access to the school nutrition program and ensure anonymity to users.

NUTRITION GUIDELINES

a) The District breakfast and lunch program will strive to use lower fat foods and beverages and bread products that are over 50% whole grain. We will also phase in fresh fruits and vegetables.

b) Concession stands and vending machines will meet at least three (3) of the following criteria:

1. Contain 300 or fewer calories;

2. One or more grams of fiber;

3. Between 5-10% of Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A or Vitamin C, or

4. Low in Trans fats.

c) The District will distribute suggested lists of healthy foods for students' personal use, as well as school parties.

NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF FOODS AND BEVERAGES

Reimbursable school meals served at school will minimally meet the program requirements and nutrition standards of the National School Lunch Program.

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_05/7cfr210_05.html

ASSURANCE

GUIDELINES FOR REIMBURSABLE SCHOOL MEALS SHALL NOT BE LESS RESTRICTIVE THAN APPLICABLE FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE CHILD NUTRITION ACT AND THE RICHARD B. RUSSELL NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT, AS THOSE REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE APPLY TO SCHOOLS.

IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF THE WELLNESS POLICY

In accordance with law, the District's Wellness Policy must be established by July 1, 2006; and the District will ensure school and community awareness of this policy through various means such as publication in District newsletters and/or the District calendar. Further, professional development activities for staff and student awareness training will be provided, as appropriate, on the goals of the District's Wellness program, including activities/programs for the development of healthy eating habits and the incorporation of physical activity as part of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle.

The District shall establish an implementation and evaluation plan for the Wellness Policy in order to monitor the effectiveness of the policy and the possible need for further modification over time. Accordingly, the Superintendent shall designate one or more staff members within the District, as appropriate, to have operational responsibility for ensuring that the District meets the goals and mandates of its local Wellness Policy. Designated staff members may include, but are not limited to, the following personnel:

a) Administrators;

b) School health personnel including the school nurse and the health and/or physical education teacher; and

c) Cafeteria Manager.

The School Superintendent will also serve as a liaison with community agencies in providing outside resources to help in the development of nutrition education programs and physical activities.

The school will provide nutrition education and physical education, with an emphasis on establishing lifelong habits of healthy eating and physical activity, and will establish linkages between health education and school meal programs, and with related community services. Communication with and training for teachers, parents, students, and food service personnel will be an integral part of the District's implementation plan.

Assessments of the District's Wellness Policy and implementation efforts may be repeated on an annual basis, but it is recommended that such assessment occur no later than every three (3) years, to help review policy compliance, assess progress, and determine areas in need of improvement. The District, and individual schools within the District, will, as necessary, revise the Wellness Policy and develop work plans to facilitate its implementation.

Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004
Public Law Section 108-265 Section 204
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 42 United States Code (USC) Section 1751 et seq.
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 42 United States Code (USC) Section 1771 et seq. 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 210.10
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_05/7cfr210_05.html