THE SCHOOL BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
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Rule No. 00/00 |
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General School Administration |
Policy No. AEGJK |
POLICY MANUAL SECTION:
POLICY TITLE: School Wellness
AUTHORITY FOR POLICY: Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children
(WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004
DATE ADOPTEDADOPTED BY SCHOOL BOARD:
The District School Board of Collier County believes that children and youth who begin each day as healthy individuals can learn more and learn better and are more likely to complete their formal education. The Board also believes that healthy staff can more effectively perform their assigned duties and model appropriate wellness behaviors for students. The following policy encourages a holistic approach to staff and student wellness that is sensitive to individual and community needs.
I. Nutrition. Academic performance and quality of life issues are affected by the choice and availability of good foods in our schools. Healthy foods support student’s physical growth, brain development, resistance to disease, emotional stability, and an individual’s ability to learn.
A. Nutrition guidelines for all foods served or sold in schools shall encourage the use of products that are high in fiber, low in added fats, low in sugar, low in sodium, and served in appropriate portion sizes consistent with USDA standards established for all foods offered by the District’s Food Service Department and/or contracted vendors.
B. Food Service Department policies and guidelines for reimbursable meals shall not be more restrictive than federal and state regulations require. Menu and product selection shall utilize student, parent, staff and community advisory groups whenever possible.
C. Vending Machines:
1. All vending machines shall provide only single serving snacks.
2. All snacks in vending machines shall meet at least two, with at least 50% or more of the items in the machines meeting three or more of the following: three hundred (300) or fewer calories; six grams of fat or less; one or more grams of fiber; and at least 10% of RDA of Calcium, Iron, Vitamin A, or Vitamin C.
3. If beverage vending machines are available during student school hours in student areas they shall include water, one hundred percent (100%) fruit juice, and/or non-carbonated drinks with less than 150 calories per container.
4. Carbonated drinks will be unavailable to students during school hours.
5. The beverage vending machines may also include non-fat, low-fat, plain, or flavored milk or yogurt in 16 ounce or less servings.
II. Health Education and Life Skills. Healthy living skills and nutrition concepts shall be taught as part of the regular instructional program. Students shall be provided the opportunity to understand and practice concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.
A. Each school shall provide for an interdisciplinary, sequential, skill-based health education program based upon state standards and benchmarks.
B. Students shall have access to valid and useful health information and health promotion products and services.
C. Students shall have the opportunity to practice behaviors that enhance health and/or reduce health risks.
D. Students shall be taught communication skills, goal setting and decision making skills that enhance their personal, family and community relationships.
E. High schools shall require (.5) credit for graduation, to include one semester of Life Management Skills (.5 credit).
F. The Food Service Department shall support classroom activities for all students that include hands-on application of good nutrition practices to promote health and reduce obesity.
III. Physical Education and Activity. Physical education and physical activity shall be an essential element of each school’s instructional program providing the opportunity for all students to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to participate in a lifetime of healthful physical activity.
A. Physical education shall be taught by a certified specialist.
B. Physical activity shall be provided by a qualified staff member.
C. The physical education program shall be designed to stress physical fitness and encourage healthy, active lifestyles.
D. The physical education program shall consist of physical activities of at least moderate intensity and for a duration that is sufficient to provide a significant health benefit to all students, considering the differing abilities of students.
E. Participation in physical activity shall be required for all students in kindergarten through grade five for a minimum of ninety minutes per week.
F. Such instruction may be provided for grades six through eight through formal physical education courses, integration into other courses, regularly scheduled intramural activities, and/or regularly scheduled school-wide activities.
G. High schools shall require one (1) Physical Education credit for graduation, to include one semester of Personal Fitness (.5 credit) and one semester of an approved Physical Education course (.5 credit).
H. Students electing one of the three-year, 18 credit graduation options do not have to meet the high school requirement, and may use the physical education courses listed as elective credit. Students may waive a portion or all of these requirements only to the extent permitted by state law.
I. Students shall be supported in setting and meeting personal fitness goals that result in the achievement and maintenance of a health enhancing level of physical fitness.
J. Students shall be provided varied opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and social interaction that will lead to a physically active lifestyle.
IV. Healthy and Safe Environment. A healthy and safe environment for all, before, during and after school helps to support academic success. Safer schools and communities help to promote and influence healthier students and citizens. Healthier students do better in school and with academic success they eventually make greater contributions to their community.
A. School buildings and grounds, structures, buses and equipment shall meet all current health and safety standards (including environmental air quality) and shall be kept clean, safe and in good repair.
B. Schools, district offices, and vehicles shall provide an environment that is free from tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
C. Training for students and staff shall support personal safety, violence prevention and encourage a harassment free environment.
D. Each work site, school and classroom shall endeavor to create an environment where students, parents/guardians and staff members are accepted, respected, and valued for their personal integrity.
V. Social and Emotional Well-Being. Programs and services shall support and value the social and emotional well being of students, families and staff members with the intention of helping to build a healthy school environment.
A. Each school shall provide a supportive and nurturing environment that includes school counseling services. These services shall be offered to encourage students, families and staff members to request assistance when needed and to help link them to school and community resources as appropriate.
B. Students shall be provided the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings in a responsible manner.
C. Students shall be taught to identify and respect the differences in others.
D. Students shall be instructed in developing skills that can help them build positive interpersonal relations.
E. Students and staff shall be encouraged to balance work and recreation and will be instructed in techniques to help them become aware of stressors which may interfere with health.
VI. Health Services. A District sponsored healthcare services program shall offer education and services that also help to promote academic achievement and success. A broad scope of services will be delivered through qualified health care professionals to help improve the mental, physical and emotional health of both students and staff.
A. Health services shall be delivered under the supervision of a professional health services coordinator with the support and direction of the District School Board of Collier County and the Collier County Health Department.
B. The District School Board of Collier County shall cooperate and collaborate with other community agencies and resources to promote health and wellness for our students, their families, and staff.
C. Health services education activities shall include at minimum: violence prevention education, school safety awareness, parenting skills, and other appropriate and pertinent health services education topics. Delivery of services shall include at minimum: emergency health interventions, routine daily management of health conditions that effect a student’s academic performance, communicable disease prevention, student health screening (including Body Mass Index {BMI}), and community health referrals as appropriate.
VII. Family, School and Community Partnerships. Long term effective partnerships among families, schools and local community partners benefit both schools and the local community. These partnerships help to improve both the planning and implementation of health promotion projects.
A. School Advisory Councils (SACs) and the community at large will have the opportunity to be included as participants in all individual school and district wellness planning processes.
B. The diversity of each school and the district as a whole shall be valued in planning and implementing wellness activities.
C. Community partnerships shall be developed and maintained as resources to be used for individual school and district programs, projects, activities and events.
D. Individual schools and the district at large shall actively support the engagement of students, families and staff members in community activities and events that encourage or promote health and wellness.
VIII. Staff Wellness. Each district work site shall provide information about health and wellness resources and services to employees to assist with the identification of health and wellness issues that may be present at the site.
A. Each school, district site, and vehicle shall be in compliance with drug, alcohol and tobacco free policies.
B. Each school and district site shall provide an accessible and productive work environment (including all vehicles) that is free from known physical dangers and emotional threats.
C. All sites will be as physically safe as possible in accordance with all applicable occupational, health and safety laws, policies and rules.
D. Employees shall be encouraged to engage in daily physical activity before or after work hours.
Prepared by: Dr. Dee S. Whinnery, Executive Director, Student Services
Approved by: Richard Withers, School Board Attorney