No. 246

SECTION: PUPILS

TITLE: STUDENT WELLNESSMAHANOY AREASCHOOL DISTRICT

ADOPTED: April 25, 2006

REVISED:

1. Purpose

2. AuthorityP.L. 108-265Sec. 204

3. Delegation ofResponsibilityPol. 808

246. STUDENT WELLNESS

Mahanoy Area School District recognizes that school community wellness andproper nutrition are related to students' physical well-being, growth, development,and readiness to learn. The Board is committed to providing a school environmentthat promotes wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physicalactivity as part of the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment,staff and students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestylepractices that cam improve achievement.

To ensure the health and well-being of the school community the Board establishesthat the district shall provide:

1. A comprehensive nutrition program consistent with federal and staterequirements.

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

3. Physical education courses and opportunities for developmentally appropriatephysical activity during the school day and beyond the school day (clubactivities, intramural sports).

4. Curriculum and programs for K-12 that are designed to educate students aboutproper nutrition and lifelong physical activity, in accordance with the StateBoard of Education curriculum regulations and academic standards.

The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible to monitor district schools,programs, and curriculum to ensure compliance with this policy, related policies andestablished guidelines or administrative regulations.

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

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P.L. 108-265Sec. 204

4. Guidelines

246. STUDENT WELLNESS - Pg. 2

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

The Superintendent or designee shall annually or as needed report to the Board onthe district compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The reportmay include:

1. Assessment of school environment regarding student wellness issues.

2. Evaluation of food service program.

3. Review of all foods and beverages sold in schools for compliance withestablished nutrition guidelines.

4. Listing of activities and programs conducted to promote nutrition and physicalactivity.

5. Recommendations for policy and/or program revisions.

6. Suggestions for improvement in specific areas.

7. Feedback received from: district staff, students, parents/guardians, communitymembers and Wellness Committee.

An assurance that district guidelines for reimbursable meals are not less restrictivethan regulations and guidelines issued for schools in accordance with federal lawshall be provided annually by the Food Service Director.

Wellness Committee

The Board shall appoint a Wellness Committee comprised of at least one (1) of eachofthe following: School Board member, district administrator, district food servicerepresentative, student, parent/guardian, and member of the public, teacher, schoolnurse, school counselor, coach, school doctor, representative of local agency andrepresentative of community organization may be part of the committee.

The Wellness Committee may examine related research and laws, assess studentneeds and the current school environment, review existing Board policies andadministrative regulations, and raise awareness about the student health issues. TheWellness Committee may make policy recommendations to the Board related toother health issues necessary to promote student wellness.

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246. STUDENT WELLNESS - Pg. 3

The Wellness Committee may survey parents/guardians and/or students; conductcommunity forums or focus groups; collaborate with appropriate communityagencies health organizations; and engage in similar activities, within the budgetestablished for these purpose.

The Wellness Committee shall provide periodic reports to the Superintendent ordesignee regarding the status of its work.

Nutrition Education

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

Nutrition education will be provided within the health education program inaccordance to State Board of Education curriculum regulations and the academicstandards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, and Family and ConsumerScience.

Nutrition education shall provide all students with the knowledge and skills neededto lead healthy lives. Lessons and activities shall be age-appropriate. Curriculumshall be behavior focused. Nutrition education may be integrated into other subjectsto complement but not replace academic standards based on nutrition education.Lifelong lifestyle balances shall be reinforced by linking nutrition education andphysical activity.

The staff responsible for providing nutrition education shall be properly trained andprepared and shall participate in appropriate professional development. District staffshall cooperate with agencies and community organizations to provide opportunitiesfor appropriate student projects related to nutrition. Consistent nutrition messagesshall be disseminated throughout the district, schools, classrooms, cafeterias, homes,community and media. Education shall extend beyond the school environment byengaging and involving families and the community.

Physical Activity

District schools shall strive to provide opportunities for developmentally appropriatephysical activity during the school day for all students. Students may participatedaily in a variety of age-appropriate physical activities designed to achieve optimalhealth, wellness, fitness, and performance benefits. A physical and socialenvironment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students shall bemaintained. Extended periods of student inactivity shall be discouraged. Physicalactivity shall not be used as a form of punishment.

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246. STUDENT WELLNESS - Pg. 4

After-school programs shall provide developmentally appropriate physical activityfor participating children. District schools may partner with parents/guardians andcommunity members to institute programs that support physical activity. Studentsand the community shall have access to physical activity facilities outside schoolhours.

Physical Education

Quality physical education instruction that promotes lifelong physical activity andprovides instruction in the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participationshall be provided. Physical education classes shall be the means through which allstudents learn, practice and are assessed on developmentally appropriate skills andknowledge necessary for lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

A physical education program consistent with State Board of education curriculumregulations and Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards shall beprovided to all students.

Students shall be moderately to vigorously active as much time as possible duringphysical education class. Documented medical conditions and disabilities shall beaccommodated during class. Safe and adequate equipment, facilities and resourcesshall be provided for physical education courses. Physical education shall be taughtby certified health and physical education teachers. Physical education classes shallhave a teacher-student ratio comparable to those of other courses.

Other School Based Activities

District schools shall provide adequate space, as defined by the district, for eatingand serving school meals. Students shall be provided a clean and safe mealenvironment. Students shall be provided adequate time to eat. Meal periods shall bescheduled at appropriate hours.

Drinking water shall be available for purchase throughout the school day.

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

Nutrition content of school menu meals shall be available, upon request, to studentsand parents/guardians.

Fundraisers and classroom activities will be in compliance with the NutritionGuidelines for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools.

To the extent possible, students will walk to activities/fieldtrips in the community.

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246. STUDENT WELLNESS - Pg. 5

Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 - P.L. 108-265 Sec. 204

To the extent possible, the district shall utilize available funding and outsideprograms to enhance student wellness.

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

Goals of the Student Wellness Policy shall be considered in planning all schoolbased activities.

Administrators, teachers, food service personnel, students, parents/guardians, andcommunity members shall be encouraged to serve as positive role models throughdistrict programs, communications and outreach efforts.

The district shall support the efforts of parents/guardians to provide a healthy dietand daily physical activity for children by communicating relevant informationthrough various methods.

Nutrition Guidelines

All foods available in district schools during the school day shall be offered tostudents with consideration for promoting student health and reducing childhoodobesity.

Food provided through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programsshall comply with federal nutrition standards under the School Meals Initiative.

All competitive foods available to students in district schools shall comply with theestablished Nutrition Guidelines for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools.

Safe Routes To School

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

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

References:

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