Weakley County Board of Education
Student Wellness
Policy Intent/Rationale
On June 30, 2004, the President signed Public Law 108-265, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. Section 204 of the law requires school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or Breakfast Program to develop a local wellness policy that addresses student wellness and the growing problem of childhood obesity, by the school year 2006.
Weakley County Schools promotes healthy schools, by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning environment.
The Weakley County Board of Education is committed to establishing a school environment that enhances learning and the development of lifelong wellness practices. To accomplish these goals, the Weakley County Board of Education is committed to ensure that:
- The Weakley County School Nutrition Program will comply with federal, state, and local requirements and the school nutrition programs will be accessible to all children;
- Nutrition education is provided and promoted;
- Physical activity is promoted and encouraged;
- All school-based activities are consistent with local wellness policy goals;
- All food and beverages made available on campuses in grades PreK-8 (including vending, concessions, a la carte student stores, and fundraising) during the school day are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and meet the Nutritional Standards set forth by the Tennessee State Board of Education; and
- All foods made available on school campuses adhere to food safety and security guidelines.
Monitoring and Policy Review
Monitoring
The Weakley County Director of Schools, Wellness Team Coordinators and Members will ensure compliance with established district-wide nutrition and physical activity wellness policies. In each school, the principal and team member will ensure compliance with those policies in his/her school and will report on the school’s compliance to the team coordinators.
School nutrition staff, at the school level, will ensure compliance with nutrition policies within school food service areas and will report on this matter to the school nutrition director. In addition, the school district will report on the most recent USDA School Meal Initiative (SMI) review findings and any resulting changes.
Policy Review
To help with the initial development of the district’s wellness policies, each school in the district will conduct a baseline assessment of the school’s existing nutrition and physical activity environments and policies. The result of those school-by-school assessments will be compiled at the district level to identify and prioritize needs.
Assessments will be repeated when necessary to help review policy compliance, assess progress, and determine areas in need of improvement. As part of that review, the school district will review our nutrition and physical activity policies; provision of an environment that supports healthy eating and physical activity; and nutrition and physical education policies and program elements. The district, will, as necessary, revise the wellness policies and develop work plans to facilitate their implementation.
The School Health Index Assessment Tools for modules 1, 3, and 4 will be used to conduct the assessment. The top three priorities for each module will be incorporated into the Wellness Policies Goals if not already a part of the goals.
Local Wellness Policy Components:
1. Nutrition Education Goals
2. Nutrition Standards/Guidelines
3. Physical Activity Goals
4. Other School-Based Activities
1. Nutrition Education Goals
The Weakley County Board of Education strives to teach, encourage, and support healthy eating habits by all students. Therefore, nutrition education shall:
- Be offered at an age-appropriate level and designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health;
- Promote fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, healthy food preparation methods, and health-enhancing nutrition practices;
- Be a cooperative effort between the instructional staff and the school nutrition program in which school cafeterias will serve as “learning laboratories” to allow students to apply critical thinking skills taught in the classroom.
- Provide information to families and the community that encourages the teaching of children about nutrition and the importance of healthy food choices.
- Encourage students to start each day with a healthy breakfast.
2. Nutrition Standards/Guidelines
In order to accomplish all goals and objectives set forth by this policy, the Weakley County Board of Education is committed to ensure that:
- All meals served through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program shall be appealing and attractive to children;
- All meals served to students will meet the USDA’s National School Lunch and Breakfast program meal pattern requirements as a minimum;
- All meals served will be in compliance with local and state regulations regarding safe food preparation, handling, storage, and in accordance with all Hazard Analysis and Critical Control-Procedures (HACCP); and
- All foods and beverages sold or offered for sale during the school day in grades PreK-8 shall be in compliance with the State Minimum Nutritional Standards.
- School officials and teachers will encourage parents to provide healthy food selections for school parties, celebrations and other snacks.
- Guidelines will be established for all foods available on each school campus to promote student health and help reduce childhood obesity.
3. Physical Activity Goals
The Weakley County Board of Education believes that physical activity is a vital part of a student’s overall health and wellness. Therefore, the school system is committed to ensure that:
- Physical activity will be encouraged.
- Physical education classes will be an environment where students learn, practice, and are assessed on developmentally appropriate motor skills, social skills and knowledge.
- Adequate equipment will be available for all students to participate in physical activity. Physical activity facilities on school grounds will be safe.
- Schools will provide a physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students, including those who are not athletically gifted; and
- Information will be provided to families and the community that encourages the teaching of children about physical activity and the importance of a daily exercise regimen.
4. Other School Based Activities
The Weakley County Board of Education understands that the school environment provides consistent wellness messages and is conducive to healthy eating and being physically active. Therefore:
- After school programs will encourage physical activity and healthy habit formation.
- Schools will discourage the use of food as punishment or reward.
- Schools will provide on-going professional training and development for school nutrition staff and teachers in the areas of wellness.
- School dining areas will be clean, safe and pleasant environments that are reflective of the value of the social aspects of eating.
- Students will be given adequate time to enjoy eating healthy meals with friends.
- Schools will develop a way to promote teacher/staff wellness.
- Coordinated School Health will offer school health screenings for children in Kindergarten and grades 2, 4, 6, 8, and ninth grade wellness classes. Passive permission for screenings will be sought from parents. Parents/guardians will receive notice of any screening results that indicate a condition that might interfere or tend to interfere with academic success.
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Legal References:
1. Section 204 of Public Law 108-265; June 30, 2004
Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004
2. State Board of Education, Policy 4.206, Physical Activity, August 18, 2005
3. TRR/MS 0520-1-6