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WELLNESS

 

The Whitehall Central School District is committed to providing a school environment that promotes and protects children's health, well-being, and the ability to learn by fostering healthy eating and physical activity before, during, and after the school day. Research shows that two components, good nutrition and physical activity before, during and after the school day, are strongly correlated with positive student outcomes. For example, student participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) School Breakfast Program is associated with higher grades and standardized test scores, lower absenteeism and better performance on cognitive tasks. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7  Conversely, less-than-adequate consumption of specific foods including fruits, vegetables and dairy products, is associated with lower grades among students. 8,9,10  In addition, students who are physically active through active transport to and from school, recess, physical activity breaks, high-quality physical education and extracurricular activities – do better academically.11, 12, 13, 14  Finally, there is evidence that adequate hydration is associated with better cognitive performance. 15, 16, 17

                                                                                                                        

Bradley, B, Green, AC. Do Health and Education Agencies in the United States Share Responsibility for Academic Achievement and Health? A Review of 25 years of Evidence About the Relationship of Adolescents’ Academic Achievement and Health Behaviors, Journal of Adolescent Health. 2013; 52(5):523–532.

Meyers AF, Sampson AE, Weitzman M, Rogers BL, Kayne H. School breakfast program and school performance. American Journal of Diseases of Children. 1989; 143(10):1234–1239.

Murphy JM. Breakfast and learning: an updated review. Current Nutrition & Food Science. 2007; 3:3–36.

Murphy JM, Pagano ME, Nachmani J, Sperling P, Kane S, Kleinman RE. The relationship of school breakfast to psychosocial and academic functioning: Cross-sectional and longitudinal observations in an inner-city school sample. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 1998; 152(9):899–907.

Pollitt E, Mathews R. Breakfast and cognition: an integrative summary. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1998; 67(4), 804S–813S.

Rampersaud GC, Pereira MA, Girard BL, Adams J, Metzl JD. Breakfast habits, nutritional status, body weight, and academic performance in children and adolescents. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2005; 105(5):743–760, quiz 761–762.

Taras, H. Nutrition and student performance at school. Journal of School Health. 2005;75(6):199–213.

MacLellan D, Taylor J, Wood K. Food intake and academic performance among adolescents. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research. 2008; 69(3):141–144.

Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Dixon LB, Resnick MD, Blum RW. Correlates of inadequate consumption of dairy products among adolescents. Journal of Nutrition Education. 1997; 29(1):12–20.

10 Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Resnick MD, Blum RW. Correlates of inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption among adolescents. Preventive Medicine. 1996; 25(5):497–505.

11 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance.  Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, 2010.

12 Singh A, Uijtdewilligne L, Twisk J, van Mechelen W, Chinapaw M. Physical activity and performance at school: A systematic review of the literature including a methodological quality assessment. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2012; 166(1):49-55.

13 Haapala E, Poikkeus A-M, Kukkonen-Harjula K, Tompuri T, Lintu N, Väisto J, Leppänen P, Laaksonen D, Lindi V, Lakka T. Association of physical activity and sedentary behavior with academic skills – A follow-up study among primary school children. PLoS ONE, 2014; 9(9): e107031.

14 Hillman C, Pontifex M, Castelli D, Khan N, Raine L, Scudder M, Drollette E, Moore R, Wu C-T, Kamijo K. Effects of the FITKids randomized control trial on executive control and brain function. Pediatrics 2014; 134(4): e1063-1071.

15 Change Lab Solutions. (2014). District Policy Restricting the Advertising of Food and Beverages Not Permitted to be Sold on School Grounds. Retrieved from http://changelabsolutions.org/publications/district-policy-school-food-ads

16 Kempton MJ, Ettinger U, Foster R, Williams SCR, Calvert GA, Hampshire A, et al. Dehydration affects brain structure and function in healthy adolescents. Human Brain Mapping. 2011;32:71–79.

17 Edmonds CJ, Jeffes B. Does having a drink help you think? 6 to 7-year-old children show improvements in cognitive performance from baseline to test after having a drink of water. Appetite. 2009;53:469–472. Edmonds CJ, Burford D. Should children drink more water? The effects of drinking water on cognition in children. Appetite. 2009; 52:776–779.

                                                                                                                        

The District has established an active wellness committee that meets at least four times per year to establish goals for, and oversee the development of, the District's local wellness policy. The Committee will make policy recommendations for review and adoption by the Board. The District Wellness Committee includes, but is not limited to, representatives from each of the following groups:

 

a) Parents and caregivers;

 

b) Students;

 

c) Physical Education teachers;

 

d) School health professionals;

 

e) District food service program;

 

f) School Board;

 

g) School administrators;

 

h) Classroom teachers; and

 

i) Members of the public.

 

The District Wellness Committee will also be responsible for assessing current activities, programs, and policies available in the District, and recommend mechanisms for implementation, evaluation, and revision of this policy. In so doing, the Wellness Committee will evaluate and make recommendations which reflect the specific needs of the District and its students.

 

The Superintendent will designate a District Wellness Coordinator to convene the District Wellness Committee in order to facilitate the development of, and any proposed updates to, the District's Wellness Policy, and will also ensure the District's compliance with this policy.

 

Goals to Promote Student Wellness

 

The District seeks to ensure all of its students obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious food selections and enjoy life-long physical activity. To this end, the District sets forth the following goals relating to nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities.

 

 

Nutrition Promotion and Education

 

Nutrition promotion and education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using evidence-based techniques and nutrition messages, and by creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and encourage participation in school meal programs. Students and staff will receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. Nutrition promotion also includes marketing and advertising nutritious foods and beverages to students and is most effective when implemented consistently through a comprehensive and multi-channel approach by school staff, teachers, parents, students and the community.

 

The District will model and encourage healthy eating by all students by engaging in nutrition education and promotion by:

 

a) Nutrition education will be integrated within the comprehensive health education curriculum and other instructional areas, as appropriate, and taught at every grade level, K through 12. Nutrition education will follow applicable New York State Standards and be designed to help students acquire:

 

1. Nutrition knowledge, including, but not limited to:  the benefits of healthy eating; essential nutrients; nutritional deficiencies; principles of healthy weight management; the use and misuse of dietary supplements; and safe food storage, handling, and preparation.

 

2. All teachers will provide opportunities for students to practice or rehearse nutrition-related skills, including, but not limited to:  planning healthy meals; understanding and using food labels; critically evaluating nutrition information, misinformation, and commercial food advertising; assessing personal eating habits; and setting and achieving goals related to these concepts.

 

3. Lessons and activities will include enjoyable, developmentally-appropriate, culturally-relevant and participatory activities, such as cooking demonstrations or lessons, promotions, taste-testing, farm visits and school gardens. They will promote fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products and healthy food preparation methods that emphasize caloric balance between food intake and energy expenditure (promoting physical activity/exercise);

 

4. Nutrition education will be linked with school meal programs, cafeteria nutrition promotion activities, school gardens, Farm to School programs, other school foods and nutrition-related community services;

 

 

b) Marketing and Promotion

 

1. The District will promote nutrition education activities that involve parents, students, and the community throughout the school year. Participation in Federal child nutrition programs will be promoted among students and families to help ensure that families know what programs are available in their children’s school. Examples of promotion could include: inviting parents to breakfast, contests, Celebrity Day, themed days, serving breakfast at lunch, soliciting menu ideas and input, website, flyers, announcements, Student Advisory Group, breakfast giveaways, public service announcements, automated messages, press releases, existing forums, involving advocates, celebrating National School Breakfast Week and hosting a food service table at School Open Houses.

 

2. The District will promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students and encourage participation in school meal programs. This will occur by using Smarter Lunchroom and other techniques which guide students toward healthful choices and ensuring that 100% of foods and beverages promoted to students meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, which can be found on the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) official website. https://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-focusing-smart-snacks

 

    The following smarter lunchroom techniques have been used within the district:

      • Whole fruit options are displayed in attractive bowls or baskets (instead of chaffing dishes or hotel pans).
      • Sliced or cut fruit is available daily.
      • Daily fruit options are displayed in a location in the line of sight and reach of students.
      • All available vegetable options have been given creative or descriptive names.
      • All staff members, especially those serving, have been trained and will continue to be trained to politely prompt students to select and consume the daily vegetable options with their meal.
      • White milk is placed in front of other beverages in all coolers.
      • Alternative entrée options (e.g., salad bar, yogurt parfaits, etc.) are highlighted on posters or signs within all service and dining areas.
      • A reimbursable meal can be created in any service area available to students (e.g., salad bars, snack rooms, etc.).
      • Student surveys and taste testing opportunities are used to inform menu development, dining space decor and promotional ideas.
      • Student artwork is displayed in the service and/or dining areas.
      • Daily announcements are used to promote and market menu options.

 

    3. The District will promote school and community awareness of this policy through various means, such as publication on the District website.

 

4. The District will encourage and promote wellness through social media, newsletters, and integration into District events. 

 

5. The District will implement Farm to School activities such as: hosting a school garden.

 

6.  The District is committed to providing a school environment that ensures opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day while minimizing commercial distractions. The District strives to teach students how to make informed choices about nutrition, health and physical activity. These efforts will be weakened if students are subjected to advertising on District property that contains messages inconsistent with the health information the District is imparting through nutrition education and health promotion efforts.

 

      Therefore and to the extent practicable, marketing and advertising of foods and beverages on school campuses during the school day will to the extent practicable, be consistent with nutrition education and health promotion. As such, to the extent practicable, schools will restrict food and beverage marketing to the promotion of those foods and beverages that meet the nutrition standards set forth by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act's "Smart Snacks in Schools" Rule and that are consistent with this policy. All advertising in school publications and school media outlets must be approved by the principal.  Criteria for selecting educational materials for the classroom shall be expanded to include review of advertising content. Every effort will be made to select materials free of brand names/logos and illustrations of unhealthy foods. 

 

7. The District is cognizant of the fact that certain scoreboards, signs, and other durable equipment it employs may market foods and beverages in a way that is inconsistent with the aims of this policy. While the immediate replacement of this equipment is not required, the District will replace or update this equipment over time to ensure the message it delivers to students regarding nutrition, health, and well-being is consistent. As the District reviews existing contracts, or considers new contracts, resulting decisions should reflect the marketing guidelines established by this policy.

 

c) Additional provisions

 

1. Parents and teachers will be provided with a list of healthy party ideas, including non-food celebration ideas for parents to consider.

 

    2. The District will provide to parents a list of classroom snacks and beverages that meet Smart Snacks nutrition standards. 

            https://www.healthiergeneration.org/_asset/5w7qqt/13-6163_HealthySnackBevIdeas.pdf

 

 

3. School personnel are discouraged from using food as a reward or withholding food as punishment. Teachers and other appropriate school staff will be provided with a list of alternative ways to reward students. http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/storage/documents/parent-toolkit/rewardsf3a.pdf

 

4. District staff will be encouraged to model healthy eating, drinking, and physical activity behaviors for students.

 

Physical Activity

 

      a) The District will provide opportunities for every student to participate in physical education in an effort to comply with the recommendation that children and     adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. This District is also committed to providing opportunities for physical activity           before, during, and after school.

        

      A substantial percentage of students’ physical activity can be provided through a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP). A CSPAP reflects      strong coordination and synergy across all of the components: quality physical education as the foundation; physical activity before, during and after school;    staff involvement and family and community engagement and the District is committed to providing these opportunities.

 

     In doing so, the District aims to promote among students, staff, and community members the development of knowledge and skills for specific physical  activities, the maintenance of physical fitness, regular participation in physical activity, and an understanding of the short-term and long-term benefits from a physically active and healthy lifestyle. Students will be encouraged to incorporate small bouts of activity into their daily schedules. Schools shall encourage participation in after-school sports, intramurals and other, non-competitive physical activity programs via in school announcements, school newsletters, and posters.  Physical activity opportunities will be in addition to, not in lieu of, physical education and will not be used as a punishment for students, but rather another means by which students may develop or maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

 

      b) The District will ensure that the following standards are met to achieve its goals relative to physical education and physical activity:

 

     1. The District will have a Board-approved Physical Education Plan on file with the New York State Education Department by June 2018 that meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in Section 135.4 of the Commissioner's regulations. http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/pe/documents/part135_4updatereg.html

 

       2. The District recognizes the importance of physical education classes in providing students with meaningful opportunities for physical exercise and development. Consequently, the District will ensure:

 

(a) All physical education classes are taught or supervised by a certified physical education teacher;

 

(b) All physical education staff receive professional development relevant to physical education on a yearly basis;

 

(c) All students in grades K-12 shall be required to take physical education class. Schools will not accept waivers or allow students to be exempted from or substitute other school or community activities for required physical education class time or credit;

 

(d) Interscholastic sports, intramural sports, and recess do not serve as substitutes for a quality physical education program;

 

(e) Students are afforded the opportunity to participate in moderate to vigorous activity for at least 50% of physical education class time;

 

(f) It provides adequate space and equipment for physical education and conforms to all applicable safety standards;

 

(g) Physical education classes will have appropriate student/teacher ratios;

 

(h) An age-appropriate, sequential physical education curriculum consistent with national and state standards for physical education is implemented for grades K-12, with a focus on students' development of motor skills, movement forms, and health-related fitness;

 

(i)  A physical and social environment is provided that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students;

 

(j) Activities or equipment are adapted to meet the needs of students who are temporarily or permanently unable to participate in the regular program of physical education. In doing so, the District will abide by specific provisions in 504 Plans and/or

 

         individualized education programs (IEP). To that end, the Committee on Special Education (CSE) will ensure that a certified physical education teacher participates in the development of a student's IEP, if the student may be eligible for adapted physical education;

 

(k) All students, including students in need of adaptive physical education, will be encouraged to participate in physical fitness programs and competitions

 

 

3. All students will be required to fulfill the physical education requirements set forth in the Commissioner's regulations as a condition of graduating from the District's schools.

 

 

      c) The District recognizes that students are more attentive and ready to learn if provided with periodic breaks when they can be physically active or stretch. All classroom teachers, and particularly those engaged in the instruction of K through 5 students, are strongly encouraged to incorporate into the school day short breaks for students that include physical activity, especially after long periods of inactivity. The District recommends teachers provide short (3-5-minute) physical activity breaks to students during and between classroom times at least three days per week. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate kinesthetic learning approaches into core learning subjects when possible so as to limit sedentary behavior during the school day.

 

       Moving between classes shall not be counted as a physical activity break. These physical activity breaks will complement, not substitute, for physical education class, recess, and class transition periods. The District will provide resources and links to resources, tools, and technology with ideas for classroom physical activity breaks. Resources and ideas are available through USDA and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation

 

       Teachers will serve as role models by being physically active alongside the students whenever    feasible. 

 

       Additionally, all elementary students will be offered one daily period of recess for a minimum of 20 minutes. This requirement will not apply on days where students arrive late, leave early, or are otherwise on campus for less than a full day. Outdoor recess will be offered when weather permits. In the event that indoor recess is necessary, it will be offered in a place that accommodates moderate to vigorous physical activity.

 

   d) We strongly recommend staff use physical activity as a reward, whenever feasible.

 

   e) The District strongly recommends that physical activity during the school day, including, but not limited to, recess or classroom activity breaks, not be withheld for disciplinary action unless the student is a danger to him or herself or others. Classroom teachers will be provided with a list of ideas for alternative ways to discipline students. Recess will complement, not substitute, physical education class. Recess monitors or teachers will encourage students to be active, and will serve as role models by being physically active alongside the students, whenever feasible. Physical education time will not be cancelled for instructional make up time. 

 

Other School-Based Activities

 

The District is committed to establishing a school environment that is conducive to healthy eating and physical activity for all. All school-sponsored events will adhere to the wellness policy guidelines and include physical activity and healthy eating opportunities when appropriate.   The District will, therefore, adopt the following standards:

 

a) Federal School Meal Programs

 

1. The District will participate to the maximum extent practicable in available federal school meal programs (including the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP)). Food served through these programs will meet all applicable federal and state standards.

   

Agenda