Student Nutrition Wellness Policy

Book: Board Policies
 Section: 5000 Students
Title: STUDENT NUTRITION WELLNESS POLICY
Number: 5440
Status: Active
Legal:
Adopted: 03/27/2006
Last Revised: 03/06/2006
Last Reviewed: 03/05/2007


BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES

KOKOMO-CENTER TOWNSHIP CONSOLIDATED

SCHOOL CORPORATION

Student Nutrition Wellness Policy

Purpose and Goal:

The link between nutrition and learning is well documented. Healthy eating patterns are essential for students to achieve their full academic potential, full physical and mental growth, and lifelong health and well-being. Healthy eating is demonstrably linked to reduced risk for mortality and development of many chronic diseases as adults. Schools have a responsibility to help students and staff establish and maintain lifelong, healthy eating patterns. Well-planned and well-implemented school nutrition programs have been shown to positively influence students' eating habits.

All students shall possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious and enjoyable food choices for a lifetime. In addition, staff are encouraged to model healthy eating and physical activity as a valuable part of daily life. The Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation shall prepare, adopt, and implement a comprehensive plan to encourage healthy eating and physical activity. Professional development should be provided to help all buildings effectively integrate physical activity with improved nutrition. This plan shall make effective use of school and community resources and equitably serve the needs and interests of all students and staff, taking into consideration differences in cultural norms. District and building School Health Advisory Committees will provide ongoing input for revisions to this plan that lead toward the ultimate goal of improved student learning.


Component 1: A Commitment to Nutrition and Physical Activity

A) The Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation Board of Trustees shall appoint a School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC). Its mission shall be to address nutrition and physical activity issues and to develop, implement, and evaluate guidelines that support a healthy school nutrition environment. This committee shall offer revisions to these guidelines annually or more often if necessary.
B) Principals will address concerns such as kinds of foods available on their campus, sufficient mealtime, nutrition education, and physical activity.
C) Nutrition education shall be integrated across the curriculum and physical activity will be encouraged daily.
D) The school food service staff will participate in making decisions and guidelines that will affect the school nutrition environment.

Component 2: Quality School Meals

A) The Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation will offer breakfast, lunch, and will participate in a district-wide universal feeding program making meals available to all students. Students and staff are highly encouraged to promote and participate in these programs.
B) School food service staff that is properly qualified according to current professional standards and regularly participates in professional development activities will administer the Child Nutrition Programs.
C) Food safety will be a key part of the school food service operation.
D) Menus will meet the nutrition standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, conforming to good menu planning principles, and featuring a variety of healthy choices that are tasty, attractive, of excellent quality, and are served at the proper temperature.
E) Students will be given the opportunity to provide input on local, cultural, and ethnic favorites.
F) School personnel, along with parents, will encourage students to choose and consume full meals. Positive nutrition statements will be provided to students.

Component 3: Other Healthy Food Options

A) The SHAC will develop and recommend to the administration guidelines on nutrition standards for food and beverages offered through parties, celebrations, social events, and any school functions (including concession stands at sporting and academic events). See Attachment A.
B) The preponderance of food and beverages available to students at school should include food items that are low in fats, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar.
C) School staff shall use food as a reward for student accomplishment sparingly. The withholding of food as punishment for students is prohibited. For example, restricting a child's selection of flavored milk due to misbehavior in the classroom.
D) The school district will provide nutritional information to parents that will encourage parents to provide safe and nutritious foods for their children. School nursing staff shall be consulted by parents regarding foods and menu items for students with special dietary needs.
E) The Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation highly encourages organizations to use non-food items or foods designed for delivery and consumption after school hours as fund-raisers. For example, chili supper sales after school hours would be acceptable.

Component 4: Pleasant Eating Experiences

A) Facility design will be given priority in renovations and new construction.
B) Drinking fountains will be available for students to get water at meals and throughout the day.
C) A short (5-10 min.) snack-free break for elementary campuses is encouraged to be scheduled sometime before lunch so that children will come to lunch less distracted and ready to eat.
D) School personnel will assist all students in developing the healthy practice of washing hands before eating.
E) School personnel will schedule enough time so students do not have to spend too much time waiting in line.
F) Schools should not schedule tutoring, pep rallies, assemblies, club/organization meetings, and other activities during meal times.
G) A minimum 30-minute uninterrupted lunch period should be scheduled to allow students to eat, relax, and socialize.
H) Schools will encourage socializing among students, and between students and adults. Adults will properly supervise dining rooms and serve as role models to students by demonstrating proper conduct and voice level. Parents are highly encouraged to dine with students in the cafeteria.
I) Creative, innovative methods will be used to keep noise levels appropriate.

Component 5: Nutrition Education

A) Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation will follow health education curriculum standards and guidelines as stated by the Indiana Department of Education. Schools will link nutrition education activities with the coordinated school health program.
B) Students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 will receive nutrition education that is interactive and teaches the skills they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors. Teachers are encouraged to integrate nutrition education into core curriculum areas such as math, science, social studies, and language arts as applicable.
C) Nutrition education will be offered in the school dining room and in the classroom, with coordination between school food service staff and teachers. Teachers can display posters, videos, websites, etc. on nutrition topics.
D) Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation campuses are encouraged to participate in USDA nutrition programs such as “Team Nutrition” and conduct nutrition education activities and promotions that involve students, parents, and the community.

Component 6: Marketing

A) Students will receive positive, motivating messages, both verbal and non-verbal, about healthy eating and physical activity throughout the school setting. All school personnel will help reinforce these positive messages.
B) Schools will consider student need in planning for a healthy school nutrition environment. Students will be asked for input and feedback through the use of student surveys, and attention will be given to their comments.
C) Schools will promote healthy food choices and will discourage advertising that promotes less nutritious food choices.
D) Healthy eating and physical activity will be actively promoted to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the community at registration, PTO/PTA meetings, Open Houses, Health Fairs, teacher in-services, etc.
E) Schools will work with a variety of media to spread the word to the community about a healthy school nutrition environment, such as local newspaper, radio, and television stations.

Component 7: Implementation

A) The SHAC shall be composed of parents, community, and school district staff. Each campus principal shall have a committee that should be comprised of at least one parent, student, building principal, food service manager/satellite supervisor, one classified & one certified staff member.
B) The SHAC members from each campus will conduct a review of their respective campuses in the spring semester of each year to identify areas for improvement. These groups will report their findings to the campus principal and develop with him/her a plan of action for improvement.
C) Before the end of each school year the committee will recommend to the Superintendent any revisions to the Student Nutrition/Wellness Plan it deems necessary.
D) The SHAC, via the Food Service Director, will report annually to the Superintendent the progress of the committee and the status of compliance by the campuses.

I.C. Section 204 of Public Law 108-265

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