SUPPORT SERVICES POLICY #115

BOARD OF EDUCATION STUDENT WELLNESS

WEBUTUCK CENTRAL SCHOOL

STUDENT WELLNESS

Given the documented connection between proper nutrition, adequate physical activity, emotional well being and educational success, the Board of Education adopts the following goals and actions to provide district students with a school environment that promotes student health and wellness and reduces childhood obesity.

I. Nutrition Education

The Board believes that nutrition education is a key component in introducing and reinforcing healthy behaviors in students. Nutrition education that teaches the knowledge, skills, and values needed to adopt healthy eating behaviors shall be integrated into the curriculum. Nutrition education information shall be offered throughout the school campus including, but not limited to, school dining areas and classrooms. Staff members who provide nutrition education shall be appropriately certified and trained. The district’s broader Health Education program shall incorporate the appropriate New York State Learning Standards.

The Webutuck Central School District will:

• ensure that students in Pre-kindergarten through grade 12 receive nutrition education that provides the knowledge they need to adopt healthy lifestyles. Nutrition education should be well integrated within a comprehensive school health education program and should include instruction that helps students learn more about the importance of various food groups, the role media play in marketing and advertising foods and beverages; and the relationship of a balanced diet and regular exercise to a healthy lifestyle.
• utilize the services of qualified nutrition professionals, including but not limited to the Foods Service Department, Home and Career staff, Health Department, School nurses, and Dutchess County Health Department members to assist in nutrition education.
• provide educational information and encourage healthy eating and physical activity for families, both within the home and outside the home. Family members should be engaged as a critical part of the team responsible for teaching children about health and nutrition.

II. Foods and Beverages Available in School

The Board recognizes that a nutritious, well-balanced, reasonably- portioned diet is essential for student wellness. To help students possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious food choices for a lifetime, the district shall ensure that all foods and beverages available in school promote good nutrition, balance, and reasonable portion sizes. The district shall ensure that reimbursable school meals meet or exceed the program requirements and nutrition standards found in federal regulations.

To accomplish this, the Board directs that the district serve healthy and appealing foods and beverages at district schools, following state and federal nutrition guidelines, as well as safe food preparation methods.

The Webutuck Central School District will:

· develop a coordinated and comprehensive outreach promotional and pricing plan to ensure maximum participation in the school meal program, and will strive to ensure that all eligible children qualify and receive free and reduced-price meals.

· ensure that students eligible to receive free and reduced-price meals and milk are not treated differently from other students or easily identified by their peers.

· provide adequate training and ongoing professional development for all food service personnel

· ensure that required and effective good safety practices are applied to all foods prepared by the Food Service Department.

School Meals

1. Promote fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, whole grains, and low fat items.

2. Encourage students to try new or unfamiliar items.

3. Make efforts to ensure that families are aware of need-based programs for free or reduced-price meals and encourage eligible families to apply.

4. Consider serving produce and food from local farms and suppliers.

5. Meals will consider cultural differences and special dietary needs.

Meal Scheduling

1. Provide adequate time to eat (minimum of 20 minutes)

2. Attempt to schedule lunchtime between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Foods and Beverages Sold Individually (a la carte and vending)

1. Promote items that are healthy, fresh, natural and less processed.

2. Promote items low in sugar, fat, salt, and that are not highly processed.

3. Work with existing vendors or locate new vendors that will comply with the district’s objectives

Fund Raising Activities

1. Promote healthy food items or non-food items to sell or activities (physical or otherwise) to do.

2. Discourage sales of candy and other “junk food.”

Classroom Activities

1. Set guidelines for the frequency and content of classroom and school-wide celebrations where food is served.

2. Increase healthy food items or non-food activities, and reduce “junk food” and/or less-healthy food, at celebrations.

3. Model the healthy use of food as a natural part of celebrations.

4. Food should not be used as a reward or consequence.

III. Physical Activity

Physical activity is an important factor in staying healthy and being ready to learn. The Board encourages every student to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities, to regularly participate in physical activity, and to appreciate and enjoy physical activity as an ongoing part of a healthy lifestyle. In addition, staff, families, and community are encouraged to participate in and model physical activity as a valuable part of daily life. The district’s Physical Education program shall adhere to the curricular requirements of the Commissioner of Education and the New York State Learning Standards.

The Webutuck Central School District will:

• ensure that every student from Pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade receives regular, age-appropriate physical education activity in accordance with the NYS Standards
• consider age-appropriate physical education to be an activity that utilizes movement concepts, motor skills, cognitive skills and intensity appropriate for a child’s state of development
• coordinate the physical education and health education curriculum so that both meet the NYS Standards
• design physical education to build interest and proficiency in the skills, knowledge and attitudes essential for a lifelong physically active lifestyle. It should include providing information, fostering a positive atmosphere, encouraging self-discipline, development of motor-skills, and promoting activities that can be carried out over the course of students’ lives
• provide daily recess, whenever possible , that encourages physical activity
• ensure that students have adequate space and equipment to participate in structured physical activity.
• offer opportunities for non-competitive activities
• limit the use of restriction of physical activity as a consequence
• provide information to parents to help them promote and incorporate physical activity and healthy eating into their children’s lives.
• educate staff, parents and community about various life-long recreational activities

IV. Other School-Based Activities

The district may implement other appropriate programs that help create a school environment that conveys consistent wellness messages and is conducive to healthy eating and physical activity. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, health forums or fairs, health newsletters, parent outreach, employee health and wellness activities, limiting the use of food as a reward, reviewing food marketing and advertising in school, hosting or promoting community-wide events, and offering wellness-related courses in the district’s adult education program.

Implementation

The Board shall designate one person as the District Wellness Coordinator, to be responsible for ensuring that the provisions of this policy are carried out throughout the district. The Board may also designate one person in each building to ensure that the wellness activities and actions are being implemented at the building-level.

Monitoring and Review

The District Wellness Coordinator shall report annually to the Board on the implementation of this policy. Every two years, the District Wellness Coordinator, in consultation with appropriate personnel and the Wellness Committee, shall monitor and review the district’s wellness activities to determine whether this policy is having a positive effect on increasing student wellness and decreasing childhood obesity in the district. Based on those results, this policy, and the specific objectives set to meet its goals, may be revised as needed.

Ref: P.L. 108-265 (Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004)

42 USC §§1758(f)(1); 1766(a) (Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act)

42 USC §1779 (Child Nutrition Act)

7 CFR §210.10; 210.11 (National School Lunch Program participation requirements – standards for lunches, snacks, and competitive foods)

7 CFR §220.8 (School Breakfast Program participation requirements – nutrition standards)

8 NYCRR Part 135 (Health and Physical Education curricular requirements); §114.1 (School Breakfast Program Requirements)

Appeal of Phillips, 37 EDR 204 (1997) (dec. no. 13,843)

Appeal of Williams, 32 EDR 621 (1993) (dec. no. 12,934)

1^st Reading: December 7, 2009

2^nd Reading: April 19, 2010

Adopted: May 25, 2010