| Winton Woods City School District |
| Bylaws & Policies |
8510 - WELLNESS
As required by law, the Board of Education establishes the following wellness policy for the Winton Woods School District.
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.
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.
The Board sets the following goals in an effort to enable students to establish good health and nutrition habits:
| A. | Nutrition Education |
| 1. | Nutrition education shall be included in the Health curriculum so that instruction is sequential and provides students with knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to lead healthy lives. | ||
| 2. | Nutrition education shall be integrated into other subject areas of the curriculum, when appropriate. | ||
| 3. | Nutrition education shall be age-appropriate and culturally relevant. | ||
| 4. | Nutrition education may include opportunities for appropriate student projects related to nutrition, involving, when possible, community agencies and organizations. | ||
| 5. | The school cafeteria shall serve as a learning lab by allowing students to apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills taught in the classroom when making choices at mealtime. | ||
| 6. | Nutrition education may extend beyond the school by engaging and involving families and the community. | ||
| 7. | Nutrition education shall reinforce lifelong balance by emphasizing the link between caloric intake (eating) and exercise in ways that are age-appropriate, and promote the benefits of a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, and low-fat and fat-free dairy products. |
| B. | Physical Activity |
| 1. | Physical Education |
| a. | A sequential, comprehensive physical education program shall be provided for students in K-12 in accordance with State Guidelines. | |||
| b. | The physical education curriculum shall provide sequential instruction related to the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to participate in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity. | |||
| c. | Planned instruction in physical education shall teach cooperation, fair play, and responsible participation. | |||
| d. | Planned instruction in physical education shall take into account gender, cultural differences and individual capabilities. |
| 2. | Physical Activity |
| a. | Physical activity and movement may be integrated across the curricula and throughout the school day. | |||
| b. | Physical activity may extend beyond the school by engaging and involving families and the community. | |||
| c. | 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. |
| C. | School-Based Activities |
| 1. | The schools shall schedule mealtimes so there is minimum disruption. | ||
| 2. | The school shall provide attractive, clean environments in which the students eat. | ||
| 3. | The schools may provide opportunities for staff, parents, and other community members to model healthy eating habits by dining with students in the school dining areas. | ||
| 4. | Schools in our system utilize electronic identification and payment systems, therefore, eliminating any stigma or identification of students eligible to receive free and/or reduced meals. | ||
| 5. | 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. |
Furthermore, with the objectives of enhancing student health 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 provide all students affordable access to the varied and nutritious foods they need to be healthy and to learn well. | |
| D. | 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 school. | |
| E. | Continuing professional development shall be provided for all food service staff. |
The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines to implement this policy.
The Superintendent shall report on the District's compliance with this policy and the progress toward achieving goals set forth herein when requested to do so by the Board.
Review of this policy shall occur every three (3) years, by a committee appointed by the Board, consisting of representatives of the Board, the administration, the food service department, 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 5/22/06