| Grosse Ile Township Schools |
| Bylaws & Policies |
8510 - WELLNESS
The Grosse Ile Township School District is committed to creating a healthy school environment that enhances the development of lifelong wellness practices to promote healthy eating and physical activities that support student achievement.
The Board recognizes that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well being of the District's students. Furthermore, research concludes that there is a positive correlation between a student's health and well being and his/her ability to learn. Moreover, schools can play an important role in the developmental process by which students establish their health and nutrition habits by providing nutritious meals and snacks through the schools' meal programs, by supporting the development of good eating habits, and by promoting increased physical activity both in and out of school.
The Board, however, believes this effort to support the students' development of healthy behaviors and habits with regard to eating and exercise cannot be accomplished by the schools alone. It will be necessary for not only the staff, but also parents and the public at large to be involved in a community-wide effort to promote, support, and model such healthy behaviors and habits.
Nutrition Education
Every year, all students, Pre-K-12, shall receive nutrition education that is aligned with the
Michigan Health Education Content Standards and Benchmarks. 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 have the appropriate training.Nutrition Standards
The District shall ensure that reimbursable school meals meet the program requirements and nutrition standards found in Federal regulations. The District shall encourage students to make nutritious food choices.
The District shall monitor all food and beverages sold or served to students, including those available outside the Federally regulated child nutrition programs. The District shall consider nutrient density and portion size before permitting food and beverages to be sold or served to students.
The District Superintendent shall continually evaluate vending policies and contracts. Vending contracts that do not meet the intent and purpose of this policy shall be modified accordingly or not renewed.
The Board sets the following goals in an effort to enable students to establish good health and nutrition habits:
| A. | With regard to nutrition education, the District shall: |
| 1. | Nutrition education shall be included in the sequential, comprehensive Health curriculum in accordance with the curriculum standards and benchmarks established by the State. | ||
| 2. | Nutrition education shall be integrated into other subject areas of the curriculum, when appropriate, to complement, but not replace, the standards and benchmarks for health education. | ||
| 3. | Nutrition education standards and benchmarks shall be age-appropriate and culturally relevant. | ||
| 4. | Nutrition education shall extend beyond the classroom by engaging and involving the school's food service staff. |
| B. | With regard to physical activity: | |
| The District shall offer physical education opportunities that include the components of a quality physical education program. Physical education shall equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for lifelong physical activity. Physical education instruction shall be aligned with the Michigan Physical Education Content Standards and Benchmarks. | ||
| Every year, all students, Pre-K-12, shall have the opportunity to participate regularly in supervised physical activities, either organized or unstructured, intended to maintain physical fitness and to understand the short-and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle. |
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Physical Education |
1. A sequential, comprehensive physical education program shall be provided for students in K-12 in accordance with the standards and benchmarks established by the State.
| 2. | The physical education curriculum shall provide sequential instruction related to the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to participate in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity. | ||
| 3. | Planned instruction in physical education shall be sufficient for students to achieve a proficient level with regard to the standards and benchmarks established by the State. |
| C. | With regard to other school-based activities the District shall: |
| 1. | The schools shall provide a reasonable time for students to eat. | ||
| 2. | An organized wellness program shall be available to all staff. |
Furthermore, with the objectives of enhancing student health and well being, and reducing childhood obesity, the following guidelines are established:
| A. | In accordance with Policy 8500, entitled Food Service, the food service program shall comply with Federal and State regulations pertaining to the selection, preparation, consumption, and disposal of food and beverages as well as to the fiscal management of the program. | |
| B. | As set forth in Policy 8531, entitled Free and Reduced Price Meals, the guidelines for reimbursable school meals are not less restrictive than the guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). | |
| C. | The food service program will strive to be financially self-supporting; however, if it is necessary to subsidize the operation, it will not be through the sale of foods with minimal nutritious value. | |
| D. | The food service program will provide all students affordable access to the varied and nutritious foods they need to be healthy and to learn well. | |
| E. | The school food service program may involve students, parents, staff, and/or school officials in the selection of competitive food items to be sold in the schools. |
Implementation and Measurement
The District Superintendent shall implement this policy and measure how well it is being managed and enforced. The District Superintendent shall develop and implement administrative rules consistent with this policy. Input from teachers, school nurses, parents/guardians, students, representatives of the school food service program, School Board members, school administrators, and the public shall be considered before implementing such rules. A sustained effort is necessary to implement and enforce this policy. The District Superintendent shall report to the local school board, as requested, on the District’s programs and efforts to meet the purpose and intent of this policy.
The Superintendent shall report on the District's compliance with this policy and the progress toward achieving the goals set forth herein when requested to do so by the Board.
Review of this policy shall occur every two (2) years, by a committee appointed by the Board, consisting of a representative(s) of the Board, the administration, the food service provider, the parents, the students, and the public. The committee shall provide the Board with any recommended changes to this policy.
42 U.S.C. 1751, Sec. 204
42 U.S.C. 1771
Adopted 8/28/07