A 2004 federal mandate required all schools participating in federally subsidized school lunch programs to have a Wellness Policy developed and put in place by June 30, 2006. The policy was to include the following elements: goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. The mandate originated from the need to address the significant rise in childhood obesity and inactivity. Some alarming U.S. statistics which have prompted the beginning of these initiatives:

- 9 million children ages 6 to 19 are overweight
- 80% of overweight children will become obese adults
- Only 1 in 4 children get 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily
- 75% of children get less than 20 minutes of vigorous activity daily
- Excess weight and inactivity are direct causes of Heart Disease, Stroke, Type II
Diabetes and some types of Cancer.
- This is the first generation of children in history that is expected to have a shorter life
expectancy than their parents.

The Wellness Committee helps to implement the policy by providing information and encouraging programming throughout the school district that will help to meet the guidelines of the policy.
 

Wellness Committee End of Year Report

October, November, January, March and May meetings

We looked at new regulations working towards updating our current Wellness Policy.

• Although we have really been ahead of the game in regards to District Wellness with our plan and our initiatives, there are parts of the plan that need to be revised including a section which outlines the District's Goals, Implementation and Evaluation of these goals.
• We will be adding a Social/Emotional set of goals as we believe this is an important part of student wellness.
• Updating the plan has been a work in progress, our goal is to complete by January of next year.

We gathered information regarding Classoom Celebrations to gauge progress in awareness and implementation of health alternatives.

• We are seeing a trend toward more monthly birthdays, healthier holiday celebrations and more movement in the classroom.
• Focus on raising awareness through educating teachers and students.
• Wellness Fairs in almost every building.
• Shared "Best Practices" not only in our meetings, but through the newsletter.
• Informed teachers of programs which can be incorporated into the classroom.
• We continue to provide factuly/staff with Wellness initiatives before each of the PDC Days and information in the newsletter to promote both awareness and exposure to healthy lifestyle practices and choices.  As a committee, we believe that teachers serve as educators and role models when it comes to all areas of wellness including: nutrition, physical activity and social emotional stability.

The policy is to provide guidelines in the following Wellness areas:

- Raising awareness of the importance of healthy eating and physical activity habits
- Increasing the number of students who eat breakfast at home or in school
- Reducing unhealthy food in the classrooms and using food as a reward
- Increasing physical activity opportunities through intramurals, student sponsored sport events, walking programs and changes in the school grounds such as walking paths etc.

We understand that we are talking about a culture change within our schools, and that this will take time to achieve. The policy includes guidelines for suggestions of alternatives to unhealthy food in the classroom, and for moving away from food as a reward.
 

The District is committed to promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity by:

1. Serving meals that meet or exceed nutrition requirements established by local, state, and Federal statutes and regulations;
2. Ensuring all students have a scheduled lunch period;
3. Providing all students with adequate time to consume meals;
4. Promoting healthy food and beverage choices;
5. Preparing meals that are appealing and attractive to students;
6. Serving meals in clean and pleasant settings;
7. Having lunch follow the wellness time (when feasible) to better support learning and healthy eating; and
8. Encouraging student participation in federal Child Nutrition Programs.

Child Nutrition Programs aim to improve the diet and health of school children, help mitigate childhood obesity, model healthy eating to support the development of lifelong healthy eating patterns and support healthy choices while accommodating cultural food preferences and special dietary needs.

All schools within our District participate in the following federal Child Nutrition Programs:

          National School Lunch Program
          School Breakfast Program

District Food Service staff will work to meet with students in grade 4-12 each year to solicit feedback on the school lunch program.

Competitive Food and Beverages:  All foods and beverages sold or provided to students on the school campus during the school day should meet or exceed Federal regulations for school meal nutrition standards and the USDA Smart Snacks in School Nutrition Standards.  This includes school stores, food trucks parked on school property, and vending machines.  Food and beverages sold in school stores in high schools shall only be accessible to students before and after the school day and during the times that Food Services is not serving breakfast or lunch to students to encourage students to purchase balanced meals rather than snacks.  Vending contracts shall be bid per purchasing guidelines.  Contract specifications shall require Smart Snacks compliance.

The DWC encourages the practice of “healthy celebrations” in our schools and buildings.  The Wellness Committee provides staff with the Healthy Classroom Snack List that includes healthy suggestions for classroom snack options, special event treats, and non-food celebration ideas.  Teachers, etc. are encouraged to share this information with their student’s families.  To check to see if your product meets the healthy snack list standards use the Smart Snack Calculator.

Foods and beverages should not be used as a reward, or withheld as punishment for any reason, such as for performance or behavior.

Nutrition promotion and education positively influences lifelong eating behaviors.  The District will model and encourage healthy eating by:

1. Promoting healthy food and beverage choices for all students by implementing Smarter Lunchroom techniques which help to guide the students toward healthful choices as well as ensuring that 100% of foods and beverages promoted to students meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
2. Promoting nutrition education activities that involve parents, guardians or caregivers, students and the community;
3. Encouraging and promoting wellness through social media, newsletters, and an annual family wellness event;
4. Encouraging participation in the Federal Child Nutrition Programs;
5. Ensuring that the marketing and advertising of foods and beverages on school campuses during the school day is consistent with nutrition education and health promotion;
6. Integrating nutrition education within the comprehensive health education curriculum and other instructional areas, as appropriate, and taught (when feasible) at every grade level, PK through 12.  Nutrition education follows applicable New York State Standards and is designed to help all students acquire;
7. Educating nutrition knowledge, including, but not limited to:  the benefits of healthy eating; essential nutrients; nutritional deficiencies; principles of healthy weight management; the use and misuse of dietary supplements; and safe food storage, handling, and preparation;
8. Educating nutrition-related skills, including, but not limited to:  planning healthy meals; understanding and using food labels; critically evaluating nutrition information, misinformation, and commercial food advertising; assessing personal eating habits; and setting and achieving goals related to these concepts;
9. Providing families and teachers with a list of healthy party ideas, including non-food celebration ideas.

1. The DWC and Mental Wellness Committee will prioritize the cultivation of just and equitable learning environments, where each member of the school community is treated with dignity and respect, and experiences a sense of belonging, positivity and safety.
2. The District continues to establish and sustain a focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) as a process through which students develop the fundamental social and emotional skills for success in learning and life.  The SEL standards specify required knowledge and skills within the three power standards of 1) emotional management, 2) self-concept and 3) social competence.  The DWC and Mental Wellness Committee encourages teachers to integrate SEL curriculum and social emotional learning into all academic subjects.
3. The District will provide a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that integrates academic (literacy, math, science, social studies, etc.) and socio-emotional wellbeing (behavior, socio-emotional learning, mental health, heath/wellness) supports across all universal, targeted, and intensive levels.
4. The District will continue to offer support and consultation through counseling services in each school building.

• Physical Education:  The District will provide a sequential physical education curriculum consistent with national and state standards for physical education to all students in grades PK-12.  All students will receive physical education instruction by a certified physical education teacher in frequencies that meet or exceed the requirements set by NYSED.  NYSED Physical Education Standards

To maximize the level of physical activity during a class period class size shall be considered.  Physical education instruction will provide students with learning opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become lifelong, physically active individuals.

All students will be provided equal opportunity to participate in physical education classes.  The District will make appropriate accommodations to allow for equitable participation for all students and will adapt physical education classes and equipment as necessary.  If a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) states a student requires significant modifications to the physical education curriculum, a student should receive specialized instruction in the least restrictive environment (LRE).  Instruction should be delivered by a licensed Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Teacher.

• Wellness:  Supervised wellness shall be provided throughout the day for elementary school students.  All elementary schools will offer at least 20 minutes of wellness time on all regularly scheduled school days.  Minutes may be altered on school days with shortened schedules such as early dismissal and late arrival.
• Classroom Physical Activity Breaks (Elementary and Secondary):  All classroom teachers, and particularly those engaged in the instruction of K through 5 students, are strongly encouraged to incorporate into the school day short breaks for students that include physical activity, especially after long periods of inactivity.  Teachers are encouraged to incorporate kinesthetic learning approaches into core learning subjects when possible to limit sedentary behavior during the school day.  Professional Learning in this area should be offered to teachers.
• Before and After-School Activities:  The District will promote opportunities for students to participate in physical activity either before and/or after the school day, which include but not limited to athletics, school clubs and activities.
• Equal Access to Physical Activity:  Physical activity during the school day will not be withheld as punishment for any reason.  Physical activity may include but not limited to recess, classroom physical activity breaks, outdoor education, or physical education classes.  Only with parent/guardian approval should students be withheld from recess for academics.

The District supports active transport to and from school, i.e. walking or biking.  The District will encourage this behavior by securing storage facilities for bicycles and equipment and instructing students on walking and bicycling safety.  The District strongly encourages the use of appropriate protective wear, such as helmets.

Professional Learning

When feasible, the District will offer annual professional learning opportunities and resources for staff to increase knowledge and skills about promoting healthy behaviors in the classroom and school (e.g., increasing the use of kinesthetic teaching approaches or incorporating nutrition lessons into math class).  Professional learning will help District staff understand the connections between academics and health and the ways in which health and wellness are integrated into ongoing district reform or academic improvement plans/efforts.

National School Lunch Act, 42 USC § 1758(b)

National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program regulations, 7 CFR § 210.11

Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010; 79 FR 10693

Education Law § 915

8 NYCRR § 135.4

NOTE:      

Refer to Policies:

#5660 -- School Food Service Program (Lunch and Breakfast)

#3270 -- Solicitation of Charitable Donations from School Children   

#5520 -- Extra-Classroom Activities Fund

#7430 -- Fundraising By Students