FDE – Wellness Policy Adoption Process
Wellness Policy Adoption Process
[Note: The Federal Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. § 1751 Note, added by P.L. 108-265, Section 204) mandated that each district participating in the National School Lunch program (42 U.S.C. §§ 1751-1769) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. §§ 1771-1791, including the School Breakfast Program) adopt a district-wide school wellness policy by the beginning of the school year after July 2006. Section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, P.L. 111-296 added language to the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. § 1758b) expanding on this requirement. School Districts with existing wellness policies should use the process described below to review existing policies for compliance with federal law. If no district wellness policy is in place, this policy provides a model for establishing that required policy]
Wellness Policy Adoption Process—
The Board recognizes its obligations under the Federal Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004 and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and desires to provide a program promoting healthy eating and physical activity in district students.
Accordingly, the Board directs the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee to develop a Wellness Policy that, at a minimum, shall:
- Include goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness in a manner that the Board determines is appropriate.
- Include nutrition guidelines selected by the Board for all foods available on each campus during the school day, with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity.
- Include goals for nutrition promotion.
- Provide an assurance that the district’s guidelines for reimbursable school meals will not be less restrictive than federal regulations and guidance issued pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1758(f)(1), 1766(a) and 1779(a) and (b), as they apply to schools.
- Establish a plan for measuring implementation of the policy, including the designation of one or more persons in the district or at each school charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented at each school.
The Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee shall involve parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators, and the public, as well as any others the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee deems beneficial, in the development, implementation, and periodic review of the Wellness Policy.
The Superintendent shall present the proposed Wellness Policy to the Board review and Board action.
Wellness Policy Recommendations (SAMPLE)—
The council or committee shall examine related research and laws, assess student needs and the current school environment, review current district policies and administrative regulations, and raise awareness about student health issues. The council or committee may survey parents/guardians and/or students, conduct community forums or focus groups, collaborate with appropriate community agencies and organizations, or engage in similar activities within the budget established for these purposes.
The council or committee shall present policy recommendations to the Board which include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following topics:
- Goals and strategies for increasing student participation in the school breakfast and lunch programs.
- Nutritional standards for the school breakfast and lunch programs that meet or exceed state and federal standards.
- The amount of time allowed for students to eat and the adequacy of lunchroom facilities.
- Methods of ensuring compliance with federal regulations governing nutrition standards for all foods and beverages available for purchase by students on campus during the school day outside of the district’s federally reimbursed meal programs.
- Foods and beverages donated for class parties or other school events.
- School-based marketing of foods and beverages, such as through advertisements in school publications, school buildings, athletic fields and/or other areas accessible to students, and activities such as coupon or incentive programs.
- Age-appropriate, skill-building nutrition education at each grade level that is focused on behavior change.
- Opportunities for all students to be physically active, including the amount of time devoted to physical education, the quality of the physical education program, and additional opportunities such as recess and before- and after-school programs.
- Outreach strategies to encourage families to reinforce and support healthy eating and physical activity.
- Cost estimates of implementing the recommended strategies and potential funding sources.
- Priorities for implementing the recommended strategies in the wellness policy.
- Processes for evaluating the school district’s wellness policy, including evaluation methods, indicators that will be used to measure success, and frequency of reports, and the individual or individuals responsible for ensuring school compliance with the Wellness Policy.
As it deems appropriate, the council or committee may make policy recommendations related to other health issues that are necessary to promote student and staff health.
Periodic Assessment—
The District shall, at the intervals established in the Wellness Policy, assess:
- The extent to which schools are complying with the Wellness Policy;
- The extent to which the Wellness Policy compares with model wellness policies; and
- The progress made towards the goals in the Wellness Policy.
Public Information—
The Wellness Policy shall be posted on the District’s web site and be included in annual notices provided to parents. In addition, the District shall inform the public of the results of its assessments of the Wellness Policy.