Wellness Policy

Rock Creek Schools USD 323
WELLNESS POLICY

Committee Members

           Rachel Buessing

Shauna Churchman

            Scott Harshbarger

            Pam Holaday

            Jim Johnston

            Eric Koppes

            Jody Miller

            Sam Pahls

            Terry Schmitz

Shane Sieben

Joan Simoneau

Darwyn Thomlinson

Kristi Timm

Megan Umscheid

Wellness Philosophy

The Rock Creek School District promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment. The District supports a healthy environment where children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools contribute to the basic health status of children. Improved health optimizes student performance potential and ensures that no child is left behind.

Nutrition Education Goals

            General Guidelines & Classroom

  • All students in grades PK-12, including those with disabilities, special health care needs and in alternative education settings, will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of learning experiences that support development of healthy eating habits.

  • Nutrition education will be taught by a teacher licensed by the Kansas State Department of Education or under the direct supervision of such a teacher.

  • Schools will be encouraged to use qualified personnel to provide nutrition education from organizations such as the Kansas State Department of Education, K-State Research and Extension, health and agriculture organizations, universities and consulting registered dieticians.

  • Nutrition education will be based on the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

  • Active learning experiences will be provided for students; and whenever feasible, the active learning will involve the students in food preparation.

  • Annually, an updated list of nutrition resources will be provided to each school principal by KSDE and this list will be given to the teachers.

  • Teachers will be able to secure recommended nutrition education resources in adequate quantities for their students.

  • Nutrition is integrated into the health education or core curricula when possible.

  • Staff who provide nutrition education have appropriate training.

  • Classroom nutrition education will be provided for all students as part of a comprehensive health education curriculum that focuses on understating the relationship between personal behavior and health or as learning experiences integrated throughout the curriculum in subject areas.

  • Nutrition education instruction will be comprised of hands-on activities that engage students in enjoyable, developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant, participatory learning.

Cafeteria

  • Attractive, current nutrition education materials will be prominently displayed in dining areas and changed at least every 9 weeks.

  • Students will be encouraged to start each day with a healthful breakfast and to choose nutritious foods throughout the day.

Events During the School Day

  • Each year, some individual classrooms will participate in one or more events that are either centered on nutrition or include nutrition as a main component.

Family & Community

  • Parents will be invited to join students for school meals.

  • Families will be provided with information that encourages them to teach their children about health and nutrition, and to provide nutritious meals for their families.

Staff Wellness

  • The school will encourage each member of the staff (both certified and non-certified) to serve as a healthy role model for students.

Physical Activity Goals

            General Guidelines & Physical Education Classes

  • All students in grades PK-12, including those with disabilities, special health care needs and in alternative education settings, will have the opportunity to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity on a regularly scheduled basis each school week during the entire school year through physical education, daily recess periods for elementary students, and the integration of physical activity into the academic curriculum.

  • Elementary students will receive 100-150 minutes of physical education per week. Junior High and High School students will have the opportunity to participate in 150 minutes of physical education per week.

  • During physical education classes, students will engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 15 minutes per day.

  • The physical education curriculum will be sequential and consistent with the Kansas State Board of Education approved pre-kindergarten through grade 12 physical education teaching standards.

  • The school provides a physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable physical activity for all students, including those who are not athletically gifted. Students will have the opportunity to participate in lifetime physical activities (e.g. walking, aerobics, golf, tennis, etc.)

  • Physical education classes will have a teacher/student ratio that is the same as other classes in the school.

  • Physical education teachers are licensed by the Kansas State Department of Education.

  • Adequate age-appropriate equipment will be available for all students to participate in physical activity.

  • Physical activity facilities on school grounds are safe.

Recess

  • Elementary school students will have at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess.

  • Moderate to vigorous physical activity will be encouraged verbally and through the provision of adequate space and age-appropriate equipment.

Before & After School

  • Students are given opportunities for physical activity through a range of before- and/or after-school programs including, but not limited to, intramurals, interscholastic athletics, and physical activity clubs.

Family & Community

  • Schools work with the community to create ways for students to walk, bike, rollerblade or skateboard safely to and from school.

  • Schools encourage parents and guardians to support their children's participation in physical activity, to be physically active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.

  • Schools provide training to enable teachers, and other school staff to promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity among students.

Nutrition Goals

General Atmosphere

•         Schools provide a clean, safe, enjoyable meal environment for students.

•         The school district provides enough space and serving areas to ensure all students have access to school meals with minimum wait time.

•         The school district makes drinking fountains available in all schools, so that students can get water at meals and throughout the day.

•         The school district encourages all students participate in school meals program and protect the identity of students who eat free and reduced price meals.

School Meals – Breakfast

•         All school breakfasts comply with USDA regulations and state policies.

•         Students have at least 10 minutes to eat breakfast not including time walking to and from class and waiting in line.

•         Foods containing whole grains are offered everyday.

•         Fresh, canned, dried or frozen fruits and/or vegetables are offered daily or at least 3 days a week.

•         Low-fat (1% or ½%) or skim (nonfat) milk is offered daily.

•         Guidelines for pre-packaged cereals: 35% or less of weight from total sugar (or less than 9 g. per 100 calories), 1 g. or more of fiber per serving

o        At least 50% of pre-packaged cereals meet both of the above guidelines.

 School Meals – Lunch

•         All school lunches comply with USDA regulations and state policies.

•         Students have at least 15 minutes to eat lunch not including time spent walking to/from class or waiting in line.

•         School lunches contain an average of 30 g. of fat.

•         At least 2 fruit and/or vegetable choices are offered daily.

•         Fresh fruits or vegetables are offered fewer than 3 days a week at elementary schools and daily at junior/senior high school.

•         A food item containing whole grain is offered daily.

•         Low-fat (1% or ½%) or skim (nonfat) milk is offered daily.

•         Low-fat and fat-free salad dressings are offered with salads and/or fresh vegetables.

•         Desserts with more than 5 g. of fat per serving are offered no more than 2 times per week.

A la Carte

•         A la carte items are offered in compliance with USDA regulations prohibiting the sale of “foods of minimal nutritional value” where school meals are served or eaten during the meal period.

•         The same portion size of any food item(s) served that day in the school lunch or school breakfast program is offered a la carte.

•         Fruits and/or vegetables are offered a la carte.

Vending - Machines & School Stores

•         The sale of foods of minimal nutritional value is not allowed in the food service area.  

•         Guidelines for vended food items per selling unit: FAT: Except for nuts, seeds and nut butters, 35% or less of total calories from fat (or less than 4g. per 100 calories); SUGAR: Except for fruit without added sugar, 35% or less of weight from total sugar (or less than 9g. per 100 calories).

During the School Day

•         All foods and beverages are offered in compliance with USDA regulations prohibiting the sale of “foods of minimal nutritional value” where school meals are served or eaten during the meal period.

•         Healthy snacks are encouraged for classroom rewards, parties and celebrations.

•         Refreshments provided for students participating in school events adhere to the guidelines for vended foods and beverages.

 Consistent School Activities and Environment

  • The school district will provide opportunities for on-going professional training and development for foodservice staff and teachers in the areas of nutrition and physical education.

  • The school district will make efforts to keep school or district-owned physical activity facilities open for use by students outside school hours.

  • The school district encourages parents, teachers, school administrators, students, foodservice professionals, and community members to serve as role models in practicing healthy eating and being physically active, both in school and at home.

  • The school district encourages and provides opportunities for students, teachers, and community volunteers to practice health eating and serve as role models in school dining areas.

  • The school district will provide information and outreach materials about other FNS programs such as Food Stamps, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to students and parents.

  • The school district encourages all students to participate in school meals program, i.e. the National School Lunch, including snacks for After School Program, and School Breakfast programs.

Goals for Future Planning

  • Nutrition education curriculum will be sequential and consistent with the current Kansas State Board of Education approved health education teaching standards.

  • Healthier alternatives for vending machines will be studied.

Goals for Measurement and Evaluation

  • The school district will review and evaluate the adopted Wellness Policy annually to make adjustments and changes as needed.