Board Resolution

WHEREAS     children need access to healthy foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow, learn and thrive; and

WHEREAS     good health fosters student attendance and education; and

WHEREAS     obesity is increasing rapidly in the United States, affecting adults and children of all races, ethnicities, and income levels; and

WHEREAS    the prevalence of overweight children aged 6-11 has more than doubled in the last 20 years and the number of overweight adolescents aged 12-19 has more than tripled in that same time; and

WHEREAS     overweight children and adolescents are more likely than not to remain overweight, become obese adults, and develop related chronic illnesses; and

WHEREAS     reversing the obesity epidemic among children will require a long-term, well-coordinated approach to reach young people where they live, learn, and play; and

WHEREAS     schools can effectively partner with other public, non-profit, and private sector organizations in an effort to re-shape social and physical environments and provide information and practical strategies to help children and adults adopt  more healthy lifestyles; and

WHEREAS     the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 established a new requirement that all school districts with a Federally-funded school meals program develop and implement wellness policies that address nutrition and physical activity no later than the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED   the Buckeye Valley Local School District is committed to providing a school environment that promotes and educates on a balanced active and healthy lifestyle; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED   that the Superintendent will continue to seek and engage the involvement of parents, students, representatives of the school food service program, the school board, school administrators, and the public as this District’s wellness policy is developed, and shall recommend a policy to the Board not later than June 28, 2006 and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board reserves the right to modify the recommended policy as it deems necessary; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED   that said policy shall be adopted no later than August 15, 2006 and shall be effective on the first day of the school year beginning after July 1, 2006.

Board of Education

Buckeye Valley Local School District

NEW POLICY SPECIAL UPDATE - JANUARY 2006

Wellness

As required by law, the Board of Education establishes the following wellness policy for the Buckeye Valley Local School District.

The Board recognizes that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well being of the District’s students.  Furthermore, research suggests that there is a positive correlation between a student's health and well being and their ability to learn.  Moreover, schools can play an important role in the development process by which students establish their health and nutrition habits by providing nutritious meals and snacks through the schools' meal programs, by supporting the development of good eating habits, and by promoting increased physical activity both in and out of school.

The Board, believes this effort to support the students' development of healthy behaviors and habits with regard to eating and exercise cannot be accomplished by the schools alone.  It will be necessary for not only the staff, but also parents and the public at large to be involved in a community-wide effort to promote, support and model such healthy behaviors and habits.

The Board sets the following goals in an effort to enable students to establish good health and nutrition habits:

Please refer to Appendix A

Furthermore, with the objectives of enhancing student health and well being, and reducing childhood obesity, the following guidelines are established in accordance with Policy 8500, entitled Food Service, the food service program shall comply with Federal and State regulation pertaining to the selection, preparation, consumption, and disposal of food and beverages as well as to the fiscal management of the program.

As set forth in Policy 8531, entitled Free and Reduced Price Meals, the guidelines for reimbursable school meals are not less restrictive than the guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Nutrition guidelines for all foods available on campus during the school day:

The food service program will provide all students affordable access to the varied and nutritious foods they need to be healthy and to learn well.

To the extent possible, foods available to students in the dining area during school foods service hours shall comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including competitive foods available to students a la carte or from vending machines.

The school food service program will encourage involvement from students, parents, staff, and school officials in the selection of competitive food items to be sold in the schools.  Also, students will be surveyed to get their input into menu selections.

To the extent possible all foods available to students within the District programs, other than the food service program, shall be served with consideration for promoting student health and well-being. 

The school shall prepare and distribute to staff, parents, and after-school program personnel a healthy foods suggestion list that complies with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Each classroom party held during the school day should, to the extent possible, include healthy food and beverage options.  The District/school will provide staff and parents a list of recommended healthy food and beverage options to assist them in providing healthy celebrations/parties.

All food service personnel shall receive pre-service training in food service operations.

Continued professional development shall be provided for all staff of the food service program.

The District will require that healthier food and beverage options be made available at concession stands for all District-Sponsored or supported events.  The District will provide every group responsible for event concessions with a list of recommended healthy food/beverage options and a list of recommended non-food items to consider for sale.

The District will look at the feasibility of including a breakfast program in all schools.

Schools in the District will not use foods or beverages, especially those that do not meet nutrition standards for food and beverages, as rewards for academic performance or good behavior, and will not withhold food or beverages (including meals served through the school foods service program) as a punishment.

The Board designates the Superintendent as the individual charged with operational responsibility for measuring and evaluating the District's Student Wellness Policy.  The Superintendent /designee shall convene a committee (consisting of a representative(s) of the Board, the administration, the food service provider, the parents, the students, and the public)   semi-annually to review this Policy on student wellness.

1.      With regard to nutrition education, the District shall provide:

1.1.   Nutrition education in the Health curriculum so that instruction is sequential and standards-based and provides students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to lead healthy lives.

1.2.   Nutrition education into other subject areas of the curriculum, when appropriate, to complement, but not replace, the standards and benchmarks for health education.

1.3.   Nutrition education which is developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant in its participatory activities, such as contests, promotions, taste testing, and others.

1.4.   Nutrition education opportunities for appropriate student projects related to nutrition, involving, when possible, family, community agencies and organizations.

1.5.   Nutrition education posters, such as the Food Pyramid Guide, to be displayed in the cafeteria.

1.6.   The school cafeteria opportunities to serve as a learning lab by allowing students to apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills taught in the classroom when making choices at mealtime.

1.7.   Nutrition education that will reinforce a lifelong balance by emphasizing the link between caloric intake (eating) and exercise in ways that are age-appropriate.

1.8.   Nutrition education that promotes the benefits of a balanced diet which includes fruit, vegetables, whole grain products, and low-fat and fat-free dairy products.

1.9.   Staff responsible for providing instruction in nutrition education with regular professional development activities designed to better enable them to teach curriculum.

1.10. Information to parents that is designed to encourage them to reinforce at home information being taught in the classroom.

2.      With regard to physical activity, the District shall provide:

2.1.   A sequential, comprehensive physical education program for students in grades K-12 in accordance with the standards and benchmarks established by the State.

2.2.   A physical education curriculum that is sequential and related to the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to participate in lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

2.3.   Physical education classes for students with opportunities to learn, practice and be assessed on developmentally appropriate motor skills and social skills, as well as knowledge.

2.4.   A sequential, comprehensive physical education curriculum that stresses the importance of remaining physically active for life.

2.5.   Grades K-12 includes instruction in physical education as well as opportunities to participate in competitive and non-competitive team sports to encourage lifelong physical activity.

2.6.   That properly certificated, highly qualified teachers offer instruction in physical education.

2.7.   Planned physical education instruction that teaches cooperation, fair play, and responsible participation.

2.8.   Planned instruction in physical education that meets the needs of all students, including those who are not athletically gifted.

2.9.   Planned instruction in physical education that is presented in an environment free of embarrassment, humiliation, shaming, taunting, or harassment of any kind.

2.10. Planned instruction in physical education that promotes participation in physical activity outside the regular school day.

2.11. So that physical activity not be employed as a form of discipline or punishment.

2.12. So that schools encourage families to provide physical activity outside the regular school day, such as outdoor play at home, participation in sports sponsored by community agencies or organizations, and in lifelong physical activities like bowling, swimming, or tennis.

2.13. Students the encouragement to participate in physical activity outside the regular school day by providing recognition for their efforts.

2.14. All students in grades K-12 have the opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports programs, extracurricular activities and intramural programs to emphasize physical activity.

3.      With regard to other school-based activities the District shall:

3.1.   To the extent possible, provide at least 20 minutes daily to students the opportunity to eat once they sit down.

3.2.   Schedule mealtimes so there is minimum disruption by bus schedules, recess, and other special programs or events.

3.3.   Strive toward attractive, clean environments in which the students eat.

3.4.   Not schedule activities, such as tutoring or club meetings during mealtimes, unless students may eat during those meetings.

3.5.   Make and encourage access to students, parents, and other community members the school's outdoor physical activity facilities outside the normal school day.

3.6.   Use environmentally friendly practices, such as the use of locally grown foods and non-disposable tableware and dishes.

3.7.   Provide opportunities for staff, parents, and other community members to model healthy eating habits by attending and sharing in school meals with students in the school dining areas.

3.8.   Demonstrate support for the health of all students by hosting health clinics and screenings and encouraging parents to enroll their eligible children in Medicaid or in other children's health insurance programs for which they may qualify.

3.9.   Utilize electronic identification and payment systems, therefore, eliminating any stigma or identification of students eligible to receive free and / or reduced meals.