Wellness Policy/Nutrient Standards for Meals
The Board of Education recognizes child and adolescent obesity has become a major health concern in the United States. The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), funds child nutrition programs and establishes required nutrition standards for school lunch and breakfast programs. In accordance with the requirements of the HHFKA each school in the district shall implement this Wellness Policy that includes goals for nutrition promotion, nutrition education, physical activity, and other school based activities that promote student wellness.
A. Wellness Policy Goals
The goals as outlined below shall apply to each school in the district.
1. Goals for Nutrition Promotion – The following activities will be coordinated in each school in the district:
a. Age-appropriate posters will be posted on the walls where food and beverages are served to students highlighting and encouraging the value of good nutrition.
b. The school lunch program will have promotional days during the school year where at least one new nutritional alternative menu item will be featured as part of the menu pattern meal component. The food service staff members will promote this nutritional alternative during meal service with posters, flyers, and/or handouts regarding the nutritional menu item alternative.
c. The Principal or designee will encourage food products that meet the nutrition standards of the HHFKA when used as an incentive or reward for student accomplishments, club or activity achievements, and/or success in competitions within the school.
d. Food service staff, in consultation with the Principal or designee, will coordinate obtaining student input on menu planning that will include taste testing of new nutritional food, satisfaction surveys, and other activities that will promote nutrition awareness.
e. Food service staff will place the healthier food items in the service line where students are more likely to choose them.
f. Parents will be provided the nutritional standards of the HHFKA and encourage parents to pack lunches and snacks that meet the HHFKA nutritional standards.
2. Goals for Nutrition Education – The following activities will be coordinated in each school in the district:
a. The Principal will ensure each student receives at least one presentation per school year that promotes good nutrition and nutrition education. These presentations may be provided through classroom visits from school staff members trained in nutrition, school-wide or group assembly programs, during health/physical education classes during the school year, or any other presentation manner. This requirement may be provided as part of nutrition education provided to students as part of the district’s curriculum.
b. The Principal or designee will post the nutritional guidelines of the HHFKA in the area of the school building where food and beverages are served.
c. The school lunch menu will include nutritional information, activities, recipes, and/or any other information that encourages the selection of healthy food items.
3. Goals for Physical Activity
a. The following activities will be coordinated in each elementary school in the district:
(1) All students shall receive health/physical education under the supervision of a properly certified teaching staff member as required by the New Jersey Department of Education.
(2) The Principal or designee will ensure there is age appropriate equipment and supplies available during recess time for students to participate in physical activities.
(3) Students will be encouraged by school staff members supervising student recess time to participate in some type of physical activity, which may include, but not be limited to: walking; playing games that require physical activity, such as kick ball, volleyball, baseball, basketball, etc.; rope jumping; and/or using playground equipment.
(4) The Principal will encourage classroom teachers to incorporate brief, physical activity breaks into the school day to establish an environment that promotes regular physical activity throughout the school day.
(5) The Principal or designee will coordinate special events that highlight physical activity, which may include field days, walk-a-thons, and activity tournaments or competitions. The Principal or designee may involve parents, community members, and students in the planning of these events.
b. The following activities will be coordinated in each middle school in the district:
(1) All students shall receive health/physical education under the supervision of a properly certified teaching staff member as required by the New Jersey Department of Education.
(2) The Board of Education may offer middle school students opportunities to participate in after-school intramural and/or interscholastic team activities coordinated and under the supervision of school staff members.
(3) The Board of Education will support after-school activities and clubs where physical activity for students is included as a key component to the activity’s or club’s purpose. These clubs may include, but not be limited to, gardening clubs, walking clubs, and exercise classes.
c. The following activities will be coordinated in each high school in the district:
(1) All students shall receive health/physical education under the supervision of a properly certified teaching staff member as required by the New Jersey Department of Education.
(2) The Board of Education will offer high school students opportunities to participate in after-school intramural and/or interscholastic team activities coordinated and under the supervision of school staff members.
(3) The Board of Education will support after-school activities and clubs where physical activity for students is included as a key component to the activity’s or club’s purpose. These clubs may include, but not be limited to, gardening clubs, walking clubs, and exercise classes.
The Superintendent or designee shall be the school district official responsible to ensure each school in the district complies with the requirements as outlined in this Policy.
This Policy will be made available to staff members, students, and parents by being posted on the school district and/or school websites.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
Revised: 23 Oct 2014
Revised: 27 January 2012
Adopted: 24 January 24 2013