Trimble Local School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

8510 - WELLNESS

As required by law, the Board of Education establishes the following wellness policy for the Trimble Local School District as a part of a comprehensive wellness initiative.

The Board recognizes that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well-being of the District's students. Furthermore, research suggests 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.

Schools alone, however, cannot develop in students healthy behaviors and habits with regard to eating and exercise. 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.

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 standards and benchmarks shall be age-appropriate and culturally relevant.

 
 

3.

Students are discouraged from bringing non-nutritive, sugary drinks to school. Water and flavored fat free milk is available.

 
 

4.

Students are discouraged from bringing non-nutritive, sugary drinks to school. Water and fat-free milk are available.

 
 

B.

With regard to physical activity, the District shall:

 
 

1.

Physical Education

 
 

a.

A sequential, comprehensive physical education program shall be provided for students in K-12 in accordance with the physical education academic content standards and benchmarks adopted by the State.

 
 

b.

The sequential, comprehensive physical education curriculum shall provide students with opportunities to learn, practice, and be assessed on developmentally appropriate knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to engage in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

 
 

c.

Planned instruction in physical education shall be sufficient for students to achieve a proficient level with regard to the standards and benchmarks adopted by the State.

 
 

d.

Planned instruction in physical education shall promote participation in physical activity outside the regular school day.

 
 

e.

Physical education classes shall provide students with opportunities to learn, practice, and be assessed on developmentally appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to engage in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

 
 

f.

The sequential, comprehensive physical education curriculum shall stress the importance of remaining physically active for life.

 
 

g.

Professional development opportunities should focus on the physical education content area.

 
 

h.

Planned instruction in physical education shall teach cooperation, fair play, and responsible participation.

 
 

i.

Planned instruction in physical education shall meet the needs of all students, including those who are not athletically gifted.

 
 

j.

Planned instruction in physical education shall be presented in an environment free of embarrassment, humiliation, shaming, taunting, bullying or harassment of any kind.

 
 

k.

Planned instruction in physical education shall include cooperative as well as competitive games.

 
 

l.

On an annual basis, physical education teachers shall review and affirm receipt of the Ohio Department of Health’s concussion information sheet.

 
 

m.

Physical Education teachers shall remove from class participation any student who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury. The Principal and/or teacher shall notify parents or guardians about the possible concussion or head injury.

 
 

n.

Any student who has been removed from physical education class participation because s/he has exhibited signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury shall not be permitted to return to physical education class until the student’s condition is assessed by a physician, and the physician gives the student written clearance that it is safe to return to class.

 
 

o.

The K-12 program shall include instruction in physical education as well as opportunities to participate in competitive and non-competitive team sports to encourage lifelong physical activity.

 
 

p.

Planned instruction in physical education shall require students to be engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least fifty percent (50%) of scheduled class time.

 
 

2.

Physical Activity

 
 

a.

Physical activity should not be employed as a form of discipline or punishment.

 
 

b.

Physical activity and movement shall be integrated, when possible, across the curricula and throughout the school day.

 
 

c.

All students in grades 7 - 12 shall have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities and intramural programs that emphasize physical activity.

 
 

d.

Schools shall encourage families to provide physical activity outside the regular school day, such as outdoor play at home, participation in sports sponsored by community agencies or organizations, and in lifelong physical activities like bowling, swimming, or tennis.

 
 

e.

The school may provide information to families to encourage and assist them in their efforts to incorporate physical activity into their children's daily lives.

 
 

f.

The school shall encourage families and community organizations to help develop and institute programs that support physical activity of all sorts.

 
 

g.

The school may provide students in grades 7 - 12 with the opportunity to use physical activity in which they participate outside the regular school day (other than organized interscholastic athletics) to satisfy physical activity requirements.

 
 

C.

With regard to other school-based activities the District shall:

 
 

1.

The school shall provide attractive, clean environments in which the students eat.

 
 

2.

Students are permitted to have bottled water only in the classroom.

 
 

3.

Schools shall limit the number of celebrations involving serving food during the school day as per principal discretion.

 
 

4.

The schools may use environmentally friendly practices, such as the use of locally grown foods and non-disposable tableware and dishes.

 
 

5.

The schools may demonstrate support for the health of all students by hosting health clinics and screenings and encouraging parents to enroll their eligible children in Medicaid or in other children's health insurance programs for which they may qualify.

 
 

6.

Students are discouraged from sharing their foods or beverages with one another during meal times, given concerns about allergies and other restrictions on some students' diets.

 
 

7.

The schools shall schedule mealtimes so there is minimum disruption by bus schedules, recess, and other special programs or events.

 
 

D.

With regard to nutrition promotion, any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus, during the school day, will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

 
 

Additionally, the District shall:

 
 

1.

encourage students to increase their consumption of healthful foods during the school day;

 
 

2.

create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits, including offering the following healthy foods that comply with the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards:

 
 

a.

a variety of fresh produce to include those prepared without added fats, sugars, refined sugars, and sodium;

 
 

b.

a variety of vegetables daily to include specific subgroups as defined by dark green, red/orange, legumes, and starchy;

 
 

c.

whole grain products – half of all grains need to be whole grain-rich upon initial implementation and all grains must be whole grain-rich within two (2) years of implementation;

 
 

d.

fluid milk that is fat-free (unflavored and flavored) and low-fat (unflavored);

 
 

e.

meals designed to meet specific calorie ranges for age/grade groups;

 
 

f.

require students to select a fruit or vegetable as part of a complete reimbursable meal;

 
 

3.

designate wellness champions at each school that will promote resources through the District’s website for wellness for students, families and the community;

 
 

4.

provide opportunities for students to develop the knowledge and skills for consuming healthful foods.

The District nutrition department will promote and encourage Farm to School efforts in order to provide the healthy foods identified above.

Rewarding children in the classroom should not involve candy and other foods that can undermine children’s diets and health and reinforce unhealthy eating habits. A wide variety of alternative rewards can be used to provide positive reinforcement for children’s behavior and academic performance.

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, including but not limited to the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, 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).

 
 

The sale of foods of minimal nutritional value in the food service area during the lunch period is prohibited.

 
 

C.

The sale of foods and beverages to students that do not meet the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards to be consumed on the school campus during the school day is prohibited.

 
 

D.

All food items and beverages available for sale to students for consumption on the school campus (any area of property under the jurisdiction of the school that is accessible to students during the school day) between midnight and thirty (30) minutes after the close of the regular school day shall comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, including, but not limited to, competitive foods that are available to students a la carte or as entrees in the dining area (except entree items that were offered on the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) menu on the day of and the day after they are offered on the NSLP or SBP menu), as well as food items and beverages from vending machines, from school stores, or as fund-raisers, including those operated by student clubs and organizations, parent groups, or boosters clubs.

 
 

E.

All foods offered on the school campus during the school day shall comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including competitive foods that are available to students a la carte in the dining area, as classroom snacks, from vending machines.

 
 

F.

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.

 
 

G.

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.

 
 

H.

All foods available on campus during the school day shall comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including competitive foods that are available to students a la carte in the dining area, as well as foods that are served as classroom snacks, from vending machines, for fund raisers, for classroom parties, at holiday celebrations, at concession stands, or at any school-related event.

 
 

I.

The school food service program may involve students, parents, staff, and school officials in the selection of competitive food items to be sold in the schools.

 
 

J.

Any food items sold as a fund raiser will not compete with lunch times.

 
 

K.

All food service personnel shall receive pre-service training in food service operations.

 
 

L.

Continuing professional development shall be provided for all staff of the food service program.

 
 

M.

Nutrition information for competitive foods available during the school day shall be readily available near the point of purchase.

 
 

N.

All foods available to students in District programs, other than the food service program, shall be served with consideration for promoting student health and well-being.

The Board designates the Superintendent and the building principals as the individual(s) charged with operational responsibility for measuring and evaluating the District's implementation and progress under this policy.

The Superintendent shall appoint a District-wide Wellness Committee that includes parents, educational staff (including health and physical education teachers), mental health and social services staff, school health professionals, members of the public, and school administrators to oversee development, implementation, evaluation and periodic update of this policy. The Wellness Committee shall be an ad hoc committee with members recruited and appointed annually.

The Wellness Committee shall be responsible for:

 

A.

assessment of the current school environment;

 
 

B.

review of the District’s Wellness policy;

 
 

C.

presentation of the Wellness policy to the Board for approval;

 
 

D.

measurement of the implementation of the policy; and

 
 

E.

recommendation for the revision of the policy, is necessary.

Before the end of each school year, the Wellness Committee shall recommend to the Superintendent any revisions to the policy it deems necessary and/or appropriate. In its review, the Wellness Committee shall consider evidence-based strategies in determining its recommendations.

The Superintendent shall report annually to the Board on the Wellness Committee’s progress and on its evaluation of the policy’s implementation and areas for improvement, including status of compliance by individual schools and progress made in attaining the policy’s goals.

The Superintendent is also responsible for informing the public, including parents, students and community members, on the content and implementation of this policy. In order to inform the public, the Superintendent shall distribute information at the beginning of the school year to families of school children; include information in the student handbook or website; and post the policy on the District’s website, including the Wellness Committee’s assessment of the policy’s implementation.

42 U.S.C. 1751, Sec. 204
42 U.S.C. 1771
7 C.F.R. Parts 210 and 220

Revised 10/9/14
Revised 5/16/17

© Neola 2017