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MSAD 71 WELLNESS POLICY

Board Policy

I. Policy Statement

The Board of Education is committed to creating a healthy school environment that enhances the development of lifelong wellness practices to promote healthy eating and physical activity. The Board recognizes the link between nutrition, physical activity, and learning. The Board also realizes that healthy eating and physical activity, essential for healthy weight, are linked to the reduced risk of many significant health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. The Board believes the enhancement of overall health can improve academic performance and attendance and help students develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

District Wellness Committee

A District Wellness Committee will be established to create goals, set parameters, and develop guidelines to ensure the district’s compliance to Public Law 108-265. This committee will be appointed by the Board and be comprised of at least one of each of the following:

• Board Member;

• School Administrator;

• Food Service Director;

• Student representative;

• Parent representative; and

• Community representative.

Each school will establish its own Wellness Committee to create goals, set parameters, and establish guidelines to ensure the school’s compliance to the District Policy. These committees will meet at least quarterly and should include individuals who have a direct interest in school health issues such as:

• School Administrator;

• School Nurse;

• Teacher(s);

• Guidance counselor;

• Social Worker;

• Community organization or agency representative;

Parent (s);

• Other staff, as designated by the Board; and

• Other persons as designated by the Board.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to promote student and staff health throughout the District and establish criteria for:

• Nutrition education,

Physical education and activity;

• School-based wellness activities;

• Nutrient standards for foods available; and

• Monitoring and evaluation system for policy requirements.

III. Assurance

This policy serves as assurance that the District guidelines for reimbursable meals are not less restrictive than regulations and guidelines issued by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act.

IV. Nutrition Standards

The District will ensure that meals provided by its Food Service Program meet the nutrition standards established by federal regulations. Sales of food and beverages that compete with the school lunch program must be in compliance with the Board’s policy, Competitive Food Sales/Sales in Competition with School Food Services Program.

V. Nutrition Education

All students Pre-K through 12 shall receive nutrition education that teaches the knowledge and skills needed to adopt healthy eating behaviors. The education criteria are aligned with federal statues and the Maine Learning Results. Nutrition information shall be integrated into the curriculum, be developmentally appropriate, and taught following Maine Standards as outlined in the Maine Learning Results. Nutrition education will involve sharing information with families and the broader community to positively impact students and the health of the community. The use of food as a reward or to motivate behavior is discouraged. The School Nutrition Program will provide teachers with resource information for nutritional instruction and guidance. Daily menus will highlight foods of maximum nutritional value. Nutritional analysis of menus will be provided. Students will be encouraged to start each day by eating a healthy breakfast. Students in grades pre-K thru 5 will be encouraged to bring healthy snacks.

VI. Physical Education

The District shall offer physical education opportunities that include the components of a quality physical education program. Physical education shall equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for lifelong physical activity. Physical education instruction shall be aligned with the federal statutes, State of Maine laws and the Maine State Learning Results. All Pre-K – 12 students in the District shall have the opportunity to participate regularly in supervised, organized or unstructured physical activities to maintain physical fitness and to understand the short and long term benefits of a physically active lifestyle.

• Each school will determine how it is going to incorporate physical activity into its day.

• Student participation in physical education, recess, and physical activity is an important

and required part of the day. Students should not be excluded from these activities as a

punitive measure or for disciplinary reasons.

• Pre K and Kindergarten students will have a minimum of 30 minutes of Physical

Education class in an average week. Students in grades 1 – 5 will have a minimum of 40

minutes of Physical Education class in an average week.

• Adequate equipment will be available for all students to participate in physical

education. Physical education facilities will be determined safe by School Principals,

and the District’s Director of Facilities

• Schools will encourage families and community members to institute programs that

support physical activities.

VII.School Based Wellness Activities

The District will support and/or implement other appropriate programs that help create an environment that conveys consistent wellness messages and is conducive to healthy eating and physical activity. These include but are not limited to:

• Intramural sports;

• Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Parks and Recreation Programs;

• Stretch Beyond Programs;

• School sponsored sports;

• Healthy Kids Club;

• Travel Team Sports-non school sponsored;

• Twirling Clubs;

• Dance Clubs; and

• Adult Education Programs

VIII.Nutrition Standards for Foods Available

The district will define the foods that are available the following times:

• During the school day;

• After School Hours; and

• Anytime on School Grounds.

Classroom snacks will feature healthy choices. Food providers and advertisers will be sensitive to the school environment when displaying logos and trademarks on school grounds. Advertising messages should be consistent with and reinforce the objectives of the education and nutrition goals of the district. All foods available within MSAD 71 will comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines and the School Policy Manual, Article II, Section 46: Sales of foods in Competition with the School Food Service Program

IX. Monitoring and Evaluation System for Policy Requirements

The District Wellness Committee will monitor this policy. This Committee will report directly to the superintendent and will include at least one direct meeting. The committee will also provide an annual written report to the Board of Education on the implementation of this policy. This annual report will include but not be limited to:

• Random Student, Faculty and Parent Satisfaction Surveys;

• Monitoring of attendance rates for P.E. classes;

• Evaluation of individual facility use for extra curricular activities;

• Evaluation of student numbers involved in school physical activities; and

• Monitoring selection of newly introduced “healthy” foods.

Adopted: 08/14/06