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: 11/11/2024