To implement the wellness policy (Refer to Policy 504.12), the following district-specific goals have been established:
GOAL 1: NUTRITION EDUCATION AND PROMOTION
Schools will provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that help students develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors. The goals for addressing nutrition education and nutrition promotion include the following:
- Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health;
- Ensure nutrition education and promotion are not only part of health education classes, but also integrated into other classroom instruction through subjects such as math, science, language arts, social studies, and elective subjects;
- Include enjoyable, developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant, and participatory activities such as cooking demonstrations or lessons and taste-testing;
- Promote fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, and healthy foods;
- Emphasize caloric balance between food intake and energy expenditure (promotes physical activity/exercise);
- Link with school meal programs, cafeteria nutrition promotion activities, other school foods, and nutrition-related community services; and
- Implement evidence-based healthy food promotion techniques through the school meal programs using Smarter Lunchroom techniques.
GOAL 2: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Schools will provide students and staff with age and grade appropriate opportunities to engage in physical activity that meet federal and state guidelines, including the Iowa Healthy Kids Act. The goals for addressing physical activity include the following:
- Develop a comprehensive, school-based physical activity program (CSPAP), that includes the following components:
- Physical education, recess;
- Classroom-based physical activity;
- Walk to school; and
- Out of school time activities;
- Promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and help students develop skills to engage in lifelong healthy habits;
- Engage students in moderate to vigorous activity during at least 50% of physical education class time;
- Encourage classroom teachers to provide short physical activity breaks (3-5 minutes), as appropriate;
- Offer classroom health education that complements physical education by reinforcing the knowledge and self-management skills needed to maintain a physically active lifestyle;
- Ensure physical activity is not used for or withheld as a punishment;
- Afford elementary students with recess according to the following:
- At least 20 minutes a day;
- Outdoors as weather and time permits; and
- Encourages moderate to vigorous physical activity; and
- Scheduled to avoid extended periods of inactivity.
GOAL 3: OTHER SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITES THE PROMOTE STUDENT WELLNESS
Schools will support student, staff, and parent/guardian efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as appropriate. The goals for addressing other school-based activities that promote student wellness include the following:
- Provide parents/guardians a list of foods and beverages that meet nutrition standards for classroom snacks and celebrations;
- Provide school staff a list of alternative ways to reward students. Foods and beverages will not be used as rewards or withheld for punishment;
- Develop a plan to promote staff health and wellness;
- Share information about the nutritional content of meals with parents/guardians and students;
- Support the consumption of breakfast at school by implementing alternative breakfast options to the extent possible;
- Permit students to bring and carry water bottles filled with water throughout the day;
- Make drinking water available where school meals are served during mealtimes;
- Encourage fundraising efforts held outside school hours to sell only non-food items, promote physical activity, or include foods and beverages that meet or exceed the Smart Snacks nutrition standards;
- Strive to provide students with at least 10 minutes to eat after sitting down for breakfast and 20 minutes after sitting down for lunch;
- Discourage students from sharing foods or beverages during meal or snack times, given concerns about allergies and dietary needs; and
- Apply for USDA’s Healthier US School Challenge: Smarter Lunchroom Award, a certification initiative that recognizes schools for nutrition and physical activity excellence.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
There is a process for permitting parents/guardians, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, administrators, and the public to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the policy.
- The district has a local Wellness Committee to advise the district on the development, implementation, and improvement of the school wellness policy (Refer to Policy 504.12);
- The superintendent [or designee] invites suggestions or comments concerning the development, implementation, and improvement of the school wellness policy. As such, interested persons are encouraged to contact the superintendent [or designee].
Adopted: 10/23
Related Policy: 504.12
IASB Reference: 507.90-R(1)