CONVERSE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #2 Wellness Plan 2006
Intent:
Converse County School District #2 shall promote student wellbeing and academic achievement by supporting quality nutrition and physical activity as part of the learning environment. Converse County School District #2 recognizes that collaborating with parents, students, school personnel, health professionals, and community members is the most effective method of creating a healthy environment where children can learn about and adopt positive lifestyle habits that are essential for them to achieve their full academic potential, as well as lifelong good health and wellbeing.
activity are essential for students to reach their academic potential, full physical and mental growth, and lifelong health and wellbeing. Recent studies have shown a strong link among nutrition, physical activity and learning. Positive correlations have been made regarding academic performance as measured by test scores, concentration, tardiness, attendance rates, and discipline. Healthy eating and physical activity are also clearly linked to the reduced risk for mortality and development of many chronic diseases. Over the past 20 years the percentage of overweight children has doubled and the percentage of overweight adolescents has tripled. Being overweight increases the risk of children developing Type 2 diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, as well as some forms of cancer. Overweight children often experience low self-esteem and even depression. In economic terms, the effects of students’ poor nutrition and physical activity patterns can potentially cost vital dollars to schools each year. The District will adopt a philosophy encouraging students to establish and maintain lifelong, healthy and enjoyable eating and physical activity patterns, while creating environments that reflect respect for body-size differences. Increasing evidence suggests that schools are more effective in educating for the prevention of long-term health problems when they work together with students, parents, and the community. A school wellness council that includes parents, community leaders, health professionals, students, and school personnel can facilitate communications, efficiently use resources, and provide consistency in decision making.
Rationale: Healthy eating patterns, respect for body-size differences, and physical
Component 1 – Nutrition Education: Students in grades K-10 will receive behavior-focused nutrition education that meets or exceeds state and district health education curriculum standards and that is interactive and teaches the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors students need to adopt healthy and enjoyable eating habits that last a lifetime. Nutrition education will be based on sound scientific research. The District will provide on-going professional training for foodservice staff and teachers in the area of nutrition that includes instructional strategies that promote healthy eating patterns. Students are educated regarding body image, healthy attitudes toward food and the pleasurable aspects of eating. Nutrition education is delivered in environments that reflect respect for bodysize differences and will include the importance of body-size acceptance and the dangers of unhealthy weight-control practices. Nutrition education is integrated into the core curriculum (e.g., math, science, language arts and social studies). Staff providing nutrition education will not advocate dieting behaviors or any specific eating regiment to students, other staff members, or parents. The District will build awareness among teachers, foodservice staff, coaches, nurses and other school staff about the importance of nutrition, physical activity and body-size acceptance to academic success and lifelong wellness. The District will encourage parents, teachers, school personnel, and students to serve as role models in practicing healthy eating and being physically active. The District will provide information to families that encourage them to teach their children about health and nutrition and to provide nutritious meals for their families.
Component 2 – Physical Activity: Students in grades K-10 will receive physical education that actively engages all youth regardless of skill level and teaches the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors that students need to adapt and enjoy a physically active lifestyle. Students in grades 11 and 12 have the opportunity take physical education if desired. The District will provide ongoing professional training and development for staff in the area of physical activity. The District will provide appropriate physical activity opportunities to students who have special needs. Physical activity programs are carried out in environments that reflect respect for body-size differences and varying skill levels. Students will spend at least 50 percent of physical education class time participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Physical activity opportunities will focus on individual activities in addition to competitive and non-competitive team sports. The District will work with the community to coordinate and enhance opportunities available to students for physical activity after school. The District will ensure that adequate spaces, facilities, equipment, supplies and operational budgets are available to achieve the objectives of the physical education program. The District will work with the community to create an environment that values and supports the students’ physical activity as a lifelong habit.
Component 3 – Nutrition Standards for All Foods Available on Each School Campus During the School Day: Students’ lifelong eating habits are greatly influenced by the types of food and beverages available. Converse County School District #2 is committed to making healthy options available to students for food and beverages sold outside of the school lunch program. The District shall use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA School Meal Program requirements when reviewing the foods and beverages available to students through: • Vending Machines • A la carte • Snacks • Fundraisers • Concession stands • Student stores • School parties/celebration The school wellness committee will review the foods and beverages sold in vending machines, snack bars, school stores and concession stands on school campuses to help promote healthy choices. The committee realizes that education for the school staff responsible for these functions will bring an awareness of the issue. Classroom snacks, school parties and celebrations should feature healthy choices. (See Attachment #1) All schools shall provide information on the nutritional content of foods vended, if requested. All schools shall provide a copy of the wellness policy, if requested. Sponsors of fundraising activities should promote healthy choices when selling a food project for fundraising purposes. Non-food items should also be encouraged as fundraising activities. (See Attachment #2) School lunch and breakfast programs will meet the USDA requirements for Federal School Meal Programs The District shall maintain confidentiality of participation in the free and reduced lunch meal program. The District will continue to support the K-4 breakfast program. The committee will evaluate the implementation of a breakfast and/or healthy snack program for a one-year period at the Intermediate and High School level.
Component 3 (Continued) The District will follow the State Health Department regulations that prohibit the distribution and service of food items, including treats, prepared in individual homes. Foods for classroom parties, birthday celebrations, or any occasion must be purchased from a source that is subject to state food inspection regulations. All food to be shared with other students must be commercially prepared, pre-packaged, unopened, and, when possible, individually wrapped. This action is taken in order to protect food safety and prevent the spread of germs and disease.
Component 4 – Other School-Based Activities Designed to Promote Student Wellness Goals: Parents and teachers will be encouraged to model healthy eating habits while on school property. Converse County School District #2 will provide information to parents on healthy and pleasurable eating, enjoyable physical activity and the respect for body-size differences. Teachers are discouraged from giving food as a reward or punishment. (See Attachment #3) The District will continue to explore and develop ideas for educating parents and children regarding healthy choices for any school activity, including lunch, snacks and school parties. (See Attachment #4) Safe drinking water shall be available throughout the day. Staff will receive training on how to maintain a safe, clean and pleasant eating environment. There will be adequate time for eating, relaxing and socializing with adequate space to eat with a minimum amount of time waiting in line. There shall be convenient access to hand washing facilities. Grade school children have recess before lunch so that children will come to lunch less distracted and ready to eat. Middle school schedules will be evaluated to determine if recess before lunch is an option.
Component 5 – Maintain a District Wellness Advisory Council and Monitor and Review the Policy. The District will utilize a District Wellness Advisory Committee. The District will involve parents, students, school food service, teachers, administrators and the public in the development and continuation of a wellness advisory council including the review, implementation and measurement of the effectiveness of the wellness plan. The Lunch Manager will continue to prepare an annual report on the lunch program. The wellness committee will evaluate the wellness document the first quarter of each school year and will make recommendations for changes in the plan. The wellness committee will build awareness among education and health leaders, administrators, teachers, food-staff, coaches, nurses and other school staff as well as community and business leaders and the media. This awareness will include the contribution of proper nutrition and physical activity in maintaining a lifelong healthy lifestyle. The District will provide a healthy environment in which the classroom, school dining room and other school activities provide clear and consistent messages that explain and reinforce healthy eating and physical activity habits. Students will be encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices not only in the classroom and the school dining room, but also at class parties, sports events or wherever they are throughout the school day. Students have many opportunities to practice healthy habits. They will be encouraged to choose healthy food options, eat in relaxed and comfortable surroundings and enjoy daily physical activity.
CCSD#2 Wellness Policy Attachment #1
Nutritious Snack Ideas
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Beverages Fruit juices Fruit smoothies Milk, Non-fat or low-fat, plain or flavored Sparkling or plain water
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Low-fat Grain Foods Mini-bagel Bread sticks Animal crackers Graham crackers Soft pretzel, plain or flavored Dry cereal, individual servings English muffin Pretzels Mini rice cakes, flavored Fig Newtons Low-fat fruit/grain muffins (3oz) Vanilla wafers Low fat breakfast or granola bars Baked tortilla chips with salsa
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Entree Suggestions for School Parties Salads made with pasta Meats Vegetable Bean burrito Grilled or baked vegetable or cheese quesadilla Sub sandwiches Pasta with marinara sauce Pizza bagels or pizza English muffins Tortilla wraps filled with meat and/or vegetables Baked potato with vegetable or chili topping
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Fresh Fruits and Vegetables In-season, fresh fruit Vegetables with low-fat dip or salad dressing Additional Treats Fruit bars Frozen low-fat yogurt Frozen fruit bars Low-fat pudding, plain or as a parfait Fat free popcorn Beef jerky, low-fat peanut butter and crackers Low-fat sandwich cookies (chocolate or vanilla) Low-fat string cheese Yogurt splits (yogurt, banana, peanut butter and crackers with toppings) or parfaits Fruit, nut and/or grains trail mixes Angel food cake- plain or topped with fruit
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