SHALER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT	No: 246 SECTION: PUPILS
TITLE: SCHOOL WELLNESS ADOPTED: JULY 19,2006
REVISED: MARCH 19,2008;AUGUST 20,2014;JUNE 21,2017

1. Purpose

2. Authority SC 1422.1 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1758b

3. Delegation of Responsibility 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1758b
	
246. SCHOOL WELLNESS

Shaler Area School District recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to students’ physical well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. The Board is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education and promotion, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment, students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement.

The Board adopts the Student Wellness Policy based on the recommendations of the appointed Wellness Committee and in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations.

To ensure the health and well-being of all students, the Board establishes that the district shall provide to students:

1. A comprehensive nutrition program consistent with federal guidelines.

2. Access at reasonable cost to foods and beverages that meet established nutritional guidelines.

3. Physical education courses and opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day.

4. Curriculum and programs for grades K-12 that are designed to educate students about proper nutrition and lifelong physical activity, in accordance with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and academic standards.

The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for the implementation and oversight of this policy to ensure each of the district’s schools, programs and curriculum is compliant with this policy, related policies and established guidelines or administrative regulations.

Each building principal or designee shall annually report to the Superintendent or designee regarding compliance in his/her school.

Staff members responsible for programs related to student wellness shall report to the Superintendent or designee regarding the status of such programs.

The Superintendent or designee shall annually report to the Board on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to school wellness. The report may include:

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42 U.S.C. Sec. 1758b

4. Guidelines
	
1. Assessment of school environment regarding school wellness issues. 2. Evaluation of food services program.
3. Assign the food service company to review of all foods and beverages sold in schools for compliance with established nutrition guidelines.
4. Listing of activities and programs conducted to promote nutrition and physical activity.
5. Recommendations for policy and/or program revisions.
6. Feedback received from district staff, students, parents/guardians, community members and the Wellness Committee.

The Superintendent or designee and the established Wellness Committee shall conduct an assessment at least once every three (3) years on the contents and implementation of this policy as part of a continuous improvement process to strengthen the policy and ensure implementation. This triennial assessment shall be made available to the public in an accessible and easily understood manner and include:

1. The extent to which each district school is in compliance with law and policies related to school wellness.
2. The extent to which this policy compares to model wellness policies. 3. A description of the progress made by the district in attaining the goals
of this policy.

At least once every three (3) years, the district shall update or modify this policy as needed, based on the results of the most recent triennial assessment and/or as district and community needs and priorities change; wellness goals are net; new health science, information and technologies emerge; and new federal or state guidance or standards are issued.

The district shall annually inform and update the public, including parents/guardians, students, and others in the community, about the contents, updates and implementation of this policy via the district website, student handbooks, newsletters, posted notices and/or other efficient communication methods as deemed necessary by the administration. This annual notification shall include information on how to access the School Wellness policy; information about the most recent triennial assessment; information on how to participate in the development, implementation and periodic review and update of the School Wellness policy; and a means of contacting Wellness Committee leadership.

Recordkeeping

The district shall retain records documenting compliance with the requirements of the School Wellness policy, which shall include:
1. The written School Wellness policy.

2. Documentation demonstrating that the district has informed the public, on an annual basis, about the contents of the School Wellness policy and any updates to the policy.

3. Documentation of efforts to review and update the School Wellness

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SC 1513
Pol. 102, 105
	policy, including who is involved in the review and methods used by the district to inform the public of their ability to participate in the review.

4. Documentation demonstrating the most recent assessment on the implementation of the School Wellness policy and notification of the assessment results to the public.

Wellness Committee

The district shall establish a Wellness Committee comprised of, but not necessarily limited to, at least one (1) of each of the following: School Board member, district administrator, district food service representative, student, parent/guardian, school health professional, physical education teacher and member of the public. It shall be the goal that the committee membership will include representatives from each school building and reflect the diversity of the community.

The Wellness Committee shall serve as an advisory committee regarding student health issues and shall be responsible for developing, implementing and periodically reviewing and updating a School Wellness Policy that complies with law to recommend to the Board for adoption.

Nutrition Education

Nutrition education will be provided within the sequential, comprehensive health education program in accordance with curriculum regulations and the academic standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, and Family and Consumer Sciences.

The goal of nutrition education is to teach, encourage and support healthy eating by students. Promoting student health and nutrition enhances readiness for learning and increases student achievement.

Nutrition education shall provide all students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy lives.

Nutrition education lessons and activities shall be age-appropriate.

Nutrition curriculum shall teach behavior-focused skills, which may include menu planning, reading nutrition labels and media awareness.

Lifelong lifestyle balance shall be reinforced by linking nutrition education and physical activity.

The staff responsible for providing nutrition education shall be properly trained and prepared and shall participate in appropriate professional development. The district shall develop standards for such training and professional development.

Nutrition education shall extend beyond the school environment by engaging and involving families and the community.

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SC 1512.1 Pol. 102, 105
	Nutrition Promotion

Nutrition promotion and education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using evidence-based techniques and nutrition messages, and by creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and encourage participation in school meal programs.

District staff shall cooperate with agencies and community organizations to provide opportunities for appropriate student projects related to nutrition.

District schools shall offer resources about health and nutrition to encourage parents/guardians to provide healthy meals for their children.

Physical Activity

District schools shall strive to provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day for all students.

A physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students shall be maintained.

Students and the community shall have access to physical activity facilities outside school hours in accordance with established district rules.

Physical Education

A sequential physical education program consistent with curriculum regulations and Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards shall be developed and implemented. All district students must participate in physical education.

Quality physical education instruction that promotes lifelong physical activity and provides instruction in the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participation shall be provided.

Physical education classes shall be the means through which all students learn, practice and are assessed on developmentally appropriate skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

Students shall be moderately to vigorously active as much time as possible during a physical education class. Documented medical conditions and disabilities shall be accommodated during class.

Physical education shall be taught by certified health and physical education teachers.

Other School Based Activities

Drinking water shall be available and accessible to students, without restriction and at no cost to the student, at all meal periods and throughout the school day.

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42 U.S.C.
Sec. 1751 et seq. 1773

7 CFR
Sec. 210, 11, 220.12a

7 CFR
Sec. 210.11

SC 504.1

Pol. 209.1
	Nutrition professionals who meet hiring criteria established by the food service contractor and in compliance with federal regulations shall administer the school meals program.

Professional development and continuing education shall be provided by the food service contractor for district nutrition staff, as required by federal regulations.

District schools shall provide adequate space, as defined by the district, for eating and serving school meals.

Students shall be provided a clean and safe meal environment.

Students shall be provided adequate time to eat: ten (10) minutes sit down time for breakfast; twenty (20) minutes sit down time for lunch. District schools shall implement alternative service models to increase school breakfast or lunch participation where possible. This could include breakfast served in the classroom, “grab and go breakfast” and breakfast after first period.

Meal periods shall be scheduled at appropriate hours, as defined by the district.

Students shall have access to hand washing or sanitizing before meals and snacks.

Nutrition professionals who meet criteria established by the district shall administer the school meals program.

The district shall provide appropriate training to all staff on the components of the Student Wellness Policy.

Goals of the School Wellness Policy shall be considered in planning all school based activities

Nutrition Standards/Guidelines for All Foods/Beverages at School

All foods and beverages available in district schools during the school day shall be offered to students with consideration for promoting student health and reducing obesity.

Foods and beverages provided through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs shall comply with established federal nutrition standards.

Foods and beverages offered or sold at school-sponsored events outside the school day, such as athletic events and dances, shall offer healthy alternatives in addition to more traditional fare.

Competitive Foods

Competitive foods available for sale shall meet or exceed the established federal nutrition standards (USDA Smart Snacks in School). These standards shall apply in all locations and through all services where foods and beverages are sold to students, which may include, but not limited to: a la carte options in

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	cafeterias, vending machines, school stores, snack carts and fundraisers.

Competitive foods are defined as foods and beverages offered or sold to students on school campus during the school day, which are not part of the reimbursable school breakfast or lunch.

For purposes of this policy, school campus means any area of property under the jurisdiction of the school that students may access during the school day.

For purposes of this policy, school day means the period from midnight before school begins until thirty (30) minutes after the end of the official school day.

The Superintendent or designee may implement administrative policies concerning competitive foods and beverages, which may limit items sold and/or restrict times permitted for sales.

Fundraiser Exemptions

Fundraising activities held during the school day involving the sale of competitive foods shall be limited to foods that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, unless an exemption is approved in accordance with applicable Board policy and administrative regulations.

The district may allow a limited number of exempt fundraisers as permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education each school year: up to five (5) exempt fundraisers in elementary and middle school buildings, and up to ten (10) exempt fundraisers in high school buildings. Exempt fundraisers are fundraisers in which competitive foods are available for sale to students that do not meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

The district shall establish administrative regulations to implement fundraising activities in district schools, including procedures for requesting a fundraiser exemption. Exemptions may only be approved by the Superintendent or designee.

Non-Sold Competitive Foods

Non-sold competitive foods available to students, which may include but are not limited to foods and beverages offered as rewards and incentives, at classroom parties and celebrations, or as shared classroom snacks, shall meet or exceed the standards established by the district.

If the offered competitive foods do not meet or exceed the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, the following standards shall apply:

1. Rewards and incentives:
a.	Foods and beverages shall not be used as a reward for classroom or school activities unless the reward is an activity that promotes a positive nutrition message (e.g., guest chef, field trip to a farm or farmers market, etc.).

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	2. Classroom Parties and Celebrations:
a.	Parents/Guardians shall be informed through newsletters or other efficient communication methods that foods/beverages should only be brought in when requested for scheduled parties.
b.	When possible, foods/beverages for parties and celebrations shall be provided by the food service department to help prevent food safety and allergy concerns.
c.	Food celebrations shall not occur until thirty (30) minutes after the end of the last lunch period.

The district shall provide a list of suggested nonfood ideas and healthy food and beverage alternatives to parents/guardians and staff, which may be posted via the district website, student handbooks, newsletters, posted notices and/or other efficient communication methods.

Marketing/Contracting

Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus during the school day shall meet or exceed the established federal nutrition standards (USDA Smart Snacks in School) and comply with established Board policy and administrative regulations.

Exclusive competitive food and/or beverage contracts shall be approved by the Board, in accordance with provisions of law. Existing contracts shall be reviewed and modified to the extent feasible to ensure compliance with established federal nutrition standards, including applicable marketing restrictions.

Management of Food Allergies in District Schools

The district shall establish Board policy and administrative regulations to address food allergy management in district schools in order to:

1. Reduce and/or eliminate the likelihood of severe or potentially life threatening allergic reactions.

2. Ensure a rapid and effective response in case of a severe or potentially life threatening allergic reaction.

3. Protect the rights of students by providing them, through necessary accommodations when required, the opportunity to participate fully in all school programs and activities.

Safe Routes to School

The district shall assess and, to the extent possible, implement improvements to make walking and biking to school safer and easier for students.

The district shall cooperate with local municipalities, public safety agency, police departments and community organizations to develop and maintain safe routes to school.

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	District administrators shall seek and utilize available federal and state funding for safe routes to school, when appropriate.

References:

School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 504.1, 1337.1, 1422, 1422.1, 1422.3, 1512.1, 1513

National School Lunch Program – 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1751 et seq.

School Breakfast Program – 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1773

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 – P.L. 111-296

National Food Service Programs, Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations – 7 CFR Part 210, Part 220

Board Policy – 000, 102, 103, 103.1, 105, 209.1, 808

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