8510 - WELLNESS
Policy Preamble
Benton School District (hereto referred to as the District) is committed to the optimal development of every student. Good nutrition and regular physical activity before, during, and after the school day are strongly correlated with positive student outcomes. The District believes that we need to create and support health-promoting learning environments throughout our schools, giving students the opportunity to achieve success. This policy outlines the District’s approach to ensure all students practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day.
Policy Leadership
The superintendent shall implement and ensure compliance with the policy by leading the review, update, and evaluation of the policy.
Public Involvement
The District will invite a diverse group of stakeholders from the list below to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the policy.
- Administrator
- Classroom teacher
- Physical education teacher
- SFA representative
- Community member/parent
- Student?
Nutrition Standards for All Foods
The District is committed to serving healthy meals to our students. The school meal programs aim to improve the diet and health of school children, model healthy eating patterns, and support healthy choices while accommodating cultural food preferences and special dietary needs.
Standards and Guidelines for School Meals
The District is committed to ensuring that all meals meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established under the Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010 (www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals).
In addition, the District’s nutrition services shall notify parents of the availability of the breakfast, lunch, and summer food programs and shall be encouraged to determine eligibility for reduced or free meals;
Foods and Beverages Sold Outside of the School Meals Program
- All food and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (“competitive” foods and beverages) shall, at a minimum, meet the standards established in USDA’s Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in Schools (Smart Snacks) rule. The standards are available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-focusing-smart-snacks.
- The District adheres to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction fundraiser exemption policy and allows two exempt fundraisers per student organization per school per year. All other fundraisers sold during the school day will meet the Smart Snacks nutrition standards. No restrictions are placed on the sale of food/beverage items sold outside of the school day.
Marketing
Schools will restrict food and beverage marketing to only those foods and beverages that meet the nutrition standards set forth by USDA’s Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in Schools (Smart Snacks) rule. Marketing includes brand names, trademarks, logos, or tags except when placed on a food or beverage product/container; displays, such as vending machine exteriors; corporate/brand names, logos, trademarks on cups, posters, school supplies, education materials, food service equipment, and school equipment (e.g. message boards, scoreboards, uniforms); advertisements in school publications/mailings; sponsorship of school activities, fundraisers, or sports teams; educational incentive programs such as contests or programs; and free samples or coupons displaying advertising of a product.
Foods Provided but Not Sold
The District encourages foods offered on the school campus meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards including those provided at celebrations and parties and classroom snacks brought by staff or family members.
Nutrition Education
The primary goal of nutrition education is to influence students’ lifelong eating behaviors. Nutrition education, a component of comprehensive health education, shall be offered every year to all students of the District. The District aims to teach, model, encourage, and support healthy eating by providing nutrition education.
Nutrition Promotion
The District is committed to providing a school environment that promotes students to practice healthy eating and physical activity. Students shall receive consistent nutrition messages that promote health throughout schools, classrooms, cafeterias, and school media.
Physical Activity
The District shall provide students with age and grade appropriate opportunities to engage in physical activity. All physical education classes are taught by licensed teachers who are certified to teach physical education.
Other School-Based Activities that Promote Wellness
As appropriate, schools shall support students, staff, and parents’ efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
?Update/Inform the Public
The District will actively inform families and the public about the content of and any updates to the policy through the school website and Board of Education minutes.
Staff Wellness
The District will implement the activities below to promote healthy eating and physical activity among school staff, such as the administration of flu shots at school.
Community Engagement
The District shall inform and invite parents to participate in school-sponsored activities throughout the year.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The District wellness policy shall be updated as needed based, but not less than every three (3) year, on evaluation results, District changes, release of new health science information/technology, and/or issuance of new federal or state guidance.
Legal
42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.
42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.
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