507.9 - Wellness Policy

507.9 - Wellness Policy

The Algona Community School District Board of Education is committed to the optimal development of every student. The board believes for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental, and social success, there needs to be a positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environment at every level, in every setting.   

The school district provides a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors. The entire school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned with healthy school district goals to positively influence a student's understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity. In accordance with law and this belief, the board commits to the following:  

The school district will identify at least one goal in each of the following areas:

  • Nutrition Education and Promotion:  Schools will provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that helps students develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors.
  • Physical Activity: Schools will provide students with age and grade appropriate opportunities to engage in physical activity that meet the Iowa Healthy Kids Act.
  • Other School Based Activities that Promote Wellness: As appropriate, schools will support students, staff, and parents’ efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

The following nutritional guidelines for food available on school campuses will be adhered to:

  • Meals served through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program will be appealing and meet, at a minimum, nutrition requirements established by state and federal law;
  • Schools providing access to healthy foods outside the reimbursable meal programs before school, during school and thirty minutes after school shall meet the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards, at a minimum.  This includes such items as those sold through a la carte lines, vending machines, student run stores, and fundraising activities;
  • Snacks provided to students during the school day without charge (e.g., class parties) will meet standards set by the district in accordance law. The district will provide parents a list of foods and beverages that meet nutrition standards for classroom snacks and celebrations; and
  • Schools will only allow marketing and advertising of foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks in school nutritional standards on campus during the school day.  

The superintendent or superintendent’s designee shall implement and ensure compliance with the policy by:

  • Reviewing the policy at least every three years and recommending updates as appropriate for board approval;
  • Implementing a process for permitting parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, administrators and the public to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the policy;
  • Making the policy and updated assessment of the implementation available to the public (e.g., posting on the website, newsletters, etc). This information shall include the extent to which the schools are in compliance with policy and a description of the progress being made in attaining the goals of the policy; and
  • Developing administrative regulations, which shall include specific wellness goals and indicators for measurement of progress consistent with law and district policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:        
42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq.
42 U.S.C. §§ 1771 et seq. 
Iowa Code §§ 256.7(29); 256.11(6).
281 I.A.C. 12.5; 58.11.

Date of Review:
January 10, 2022

 

dawn@iowaschoo… Wed, 01/22/2020 - 21:27

507.9R1 - Wellness Regulation

507.9R1 - Wellness Regulation

Specific Wellness Goals:

  • Increase low fat/low sugar options on menus, ala carte and concession stands;
  • Gather appropriate information from health and fitness professionals within the school district and surrounding community for development of appropriate fitness, weight management, and healthy eating programs for staff. 
  • The nutrition guidelines for all foods available will focus on promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity in the school district.

 The school district will provide physical education that:

  • is daily (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 150 minutes a week for elementary students and 225 minutes a week for middle and high school students);
  • is for all students in grades K-12 for the entire school year;
  • is taught by a certified physical education teacher;
  • includes students with disabilities, students with special health-care needs may be provided in alternative educational settings; and,
  • engages students in moderate to vigorous activity during at least 50 percent of physical education class time.

Elementary schools should provide recess for students that:

  • is at least 20 minutes a day;
  • is preferably outdoors;
  • encourages moderate to vigorous physical activity verbally and through the provision of space and equipment; and,
  • discourages extended periods (i.e., periods of two or more hours) of inactivity.
  • when activities, such as mandatory school-wide testing, make it necessary for students to remain indoors for long periods of time, schools should give students periodic breaks during which they are encouraged to stand and be moderately active.
  • Employees should not use physical activity (e.g., running laps, pushups) or withhold opportunities for physical activity (e.g., recess, physical education) as punishment.

In each school:

  • The principal will ensure compliance with those policies in the school and will report on the school’s compliance to the superintendent; and
  • Food service staff at the school district level will ensure compliance with nutrition policies within food service areas and will report on this matter to the superintendent or principal.
  • The school district will report on the most recent USDA School Meals Initiative (SMI) review findings and any resulting changes.   If the school district has not received a SMI review from the state agency within the past five years, the school district will request from the state agency that a SMI review be scheduled as soon as possible.
  • The superintendent will develop a summary report every three years on school district-wide compliance with the school district’s established nutrition and physical activity wellness policies, based on input from schools within the district; and
  • The report will be provided to the school board and also distributed to all school wellness committees, parent/teacher organizations, principals and health services personnel in the school district. To help with the initial development of  the school district’s wellness policies, each school in the  school district will conduct a baseline assessment of the school’s existing nutrition and physical activity environments and practices.  The results of those school-by-school assessments will be compiled at the school district level to identify and prioritize needs. Assessments will be repeated every two years to help review policy compliance, assess progress and determine areas in need of improvement.  As part of that review the school district will review the nutrition and physical activity policies and practices and the provision of an environment that supports healthy eating and physical activity.  The school district and individual schools within the school district will revise the wellness policies and develop work plans to facilitate their implementation.

REVIEW: January 10, 2022

dawn@iowaschoo… Wed, 01/22/2020 - 21:31