Please review the draft Wellness Policy, which was submitted to the Board of Education. If you have comments you would like to have forwarded to Dr. Lamberson and the School Board, please post them through the comment link at the end of this article.

You can download the complete Final Draft of the District 96 Wellness Policy from the Central School PTA website in PDF or Microsoft Word Document.

BELIEF STATEMENT

The Board of Education of Riverside District 96 is committed to providing a learning environment that supports and promotes wellness, good nutrition, and an active lifestyle and recognizes the positive relationship between good nutrition, physical activity and the capacity of students to develop and learn. The entire school environment shall be aligned with healthy school goals to positively influence students’ beliefs and habits and promote health and wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity. The Board of Education of Riverside District 96 recognizes that the sharing of food is a fundamental experience for all people; a primary way to nurture and celebrate cultural diversity, and an excellent bridge for building friendships and intergenerational bonds.

INTENT

The purpose of this policy is to ensure a total school environment that promotes and supports student health and wellness, helps to reduce childhood obesity and meets the requirements of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 and the Illinois School Code, including, without limitation, goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness; nutrition guidelines for all foods available during the school day; a plan for measuring implementation including designating one or more persons charged with operational responsibility; and involving parents, students, school food service providers, the school board, school administrators, and the public in developing this policy.^1,2 In addition, the educational mission of Riverside District 96 is to provide a challenging education that includes fostering respect for self, community and the environment by teaching students and families ways to establish and maintain life-long healthy eating and fitness habits.

RATIONALE

A disturbing number of children are inactive and do not eat well. The result is an alarming 16 percent of children and adolescents are overweight - a three-fold increase since 1980.³ Congress passed the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 on June 30, 2004.¹ Recognizing the role schools can play in health promotion; this law requires local education agencies participating in a program authorized by the National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to develop a local wellness policy. The objectives of the wellness policy are to improve the school nutrition environment, promote student health and reduce childhood obesity. In addition, Public Act 094-0199 amends the Illinois School Code, requiring the Illinois State Board of Education to establish a state goal that all districts have a wellness policy.²

The Riverside District 96 Board of Education recognizes the important connection between a healthy diet and students’ ability to learn effectively and achieve high standards in school. The link between nutrition and learning is well documented. Healthy eating patterns are essential for students to achieve their full academic potential, full physical and mental growth and lifelong, consistent health and well-being. Healthy eating is demonstrably linked to reduced risk for mortality and development of many chronic diseases. Schools and school communities have a responsibility to help students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and maintain lifelong healthy eating patterns. Well-planned and well-implemented wellness programs have been shown to positively influence children’s health.

The Board of Education of Riverside District 96 recognizes the school’s responsibility, as part of the larger community, to help students establish and maintain lifelong, consistent habits of being physically active. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, regular physical activity is one of the most important things people can do to maintain and improve their physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. Regular physical activity reduces the risk of premature death in general and of heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes.

GOALS FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION

• Students in K through grade 8 shall receive nutrition education as part of a sequential program that is coordinated within a comprehensive wellness curriculum.⁴ The program shall be designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt healthy eating behaviors and aimed at influencing students’ knowledge, attitudes and eating habits. Special emphasis should be placed on nutrition education in preschool through primary grades as eating habits are established at a young age. The curriculum shall be consistent with and incorporate relevant Illinois Learning Standards.⁵
• To maximize classroom time and to achieve positive changes in students’ eating behaviors, nutrition education shall be integrated into the standards-based⁴ lesson plans of other school subjects like math, science, language arts, physical education, health, family and consumer science and social sciences. In addition, professional development to all staff on basic nutrition and nutrition education will be provide.
• To achieve positive changes in students’ eating behaviors, it is recommended that a minimum of thirty-five contact hours of nutrition education opportunities be provided to students each year.⁶ Contact hours may include a combination of classroom instruction; nutrition education provided in the cafeteria; or health fairs, field trips and assemblies providing nutrition education.
• The nutrition education program shall include enjoyable interactive activities such as contests, promotions, taste testing, field trips and school gardens.

GOALS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• Students in K through grade 8 shall participate in daily physical education that enables them to achieve and maintain a high level of personal fitness; emphasizes self-management skills including energy balance (calories in minus calories out); is consistent with state/district’s standards/guidelines/framework; and is coordinated within a comprehensive wellness curriculum.⁴ The curriculum shall be consistent with and incorporate relevant Illinois Learning Standards.⁵
• It is recommended that elementary students participate in physical education daily with a qualified physical education instructor for a minimum of 150 minutes per week, and middle school students participate daily for 225 minutes per week with a qualified physical education instructor (National Association for Sport & Physical Education recommendations).⁷ Special emphasis should be placed on promoting an active lifestyle in primary grades as health habits are established at a young age. Accommodations shall be made for students with disabilities, 504 plans, and other limitations.
• Students have adequate daily recess time during which physical activity is facilitated and supervised by staff and/or volunteers.
• Students shall be provided opportunities for physical activity through a range of before- and after-school programs including intramurals, interscholastic athletics, and physical activity clubs.
• Because students should engage in a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity a day, the physical education program shall actively engage families as partners in providing physical activity beyond the school day.⁸

GOALS FOR OTHER SCHOOL-BASED ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PROMOTE STUDENT WELLNESS

Parent Partnerships

• Schools shall support parents’ efforts to provide a healthy diet and daily physical activity for their children. This support shall begin in elementary school and continue through middle school.
• Parents shall be provided information to help them incorporate healthy eating and physical activity into their student’s lives. This information may be provided in the form of handouts, postings on the school/district website, information provided in school/district newsletters, presentations that focus on nutrition and healthy lifestyles and any other appropriate means available for reaching parents.

Consistent School Activities and Environment - Healthy Eating

• It is recommended that food providers share information about the nutritional content of school meals and/or individually sold foods with students, family and school staff in cafeteria (as a menu) and on website
• School meals shall be served in clean, safe and pleasant settings with adequate time provided for students to eat, at a minimum, in accordance with state and federal standards and guidelines. The National Association of State Boards of Education recommends that students have adequate time to eat, relax and socialize: at least 10 minutes after sitting down for breakfast and 20 minutes after sitting down for lunch.⁹
• All food service personnel shall have adequate pre-service training and regularly participate in professional development activities that provide strategies for providing tasty, appealing and healthy school meals; nutrition education strategies including coordination of classroom and cafeteria activities; and effective promotional techniques to encourage healthy eating habits. Provide regular professional development to enable the Food Services Staff to become full partners in providing excellent food for our students.
• Food providers shall involve families, students and other school personnel in choosing nutritious food and beverage selections for their local schools through surveys, committees, taste-testing and similar activities designed to provide input into the decision-making process.
• Food providers shall work with suppliers to obtain foods and beverages that meet the nutrition requirements of school meals and nutrition standards for those sold individually, dependent upon choices offered to Riverside District 96 due to the district’s size.
• Food providers shall work closely with school instructional staff to reinforce nutrition instruction and foster an environment where students can learn about and practice healthy eating.
• Food providers shall take every measure to ensure that student access to foods and beverages on school campuses meets federal, state and local laws and guidelines.
• Students, parents, school staff and community members bringing foods and beverages to school for parties/celebrations/meetings shall be encouraged to provide healthful options and shall be provided with a list of recommended food and beverage options (Attachment A).
• School-based organizations shall be encouraged to raise funds through the sale of items other than food (Attachment B).
• To reduce competition with nutritionally balanced school meals and enhance student safety, it is recommended that, to the extent practicable, students are not permitted to leave school grounds to purchase foods or beverages.
• Partnerships between schools and businesses are encouraged and many commercial advertising relationships involve foods or beverages. To meet wellness objectives, it is recommended that commercial advertising relationships involve only foods and beverages that meet nutrition standards (Attachment C).
• Schools shall take efforts to promote nutritious food and beverage choices consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Food Guidance System (MyPyramid) such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and whole grain products.^8,10
• Nutrition education shall be provided by trained and well-supported staff with adequate pre-service and in-service training. It is recommended that staff involved in nutrition education complete a pre-service course in nutrition and a minimum of one hour of nutrition education in-service training per school year. Preparation and professional development shall provide basic knowledge of nutrition along with activities, instructional techniques and strategies designed to change students’ attitudes and behavior.
• All foods and beverages made available on campus shall comply with the federal, state and local food safety and sanitation regulations.
• For the safety and security of food, access to any area involved in storage, preparation or service of food on the school campus shall be limited to authorized personnel

Consistent School Activities and Environment - Physical Activity

• Physical education shall be provided by trained and well-supported staff that is certified by the state to teach physical education. All physical education teachers shall regularly participate in continuing education activities that impart the knowledge and skills needed to effectively promote enjoyable lifelong healthy eating and physical activity among students.
• The physical education program shall be closely coordinated with the other components of the overall school wellness program. Physical education topics shall be integrated within other curricular areas. In particular, the benefits of being physically active shall be linked with instruction about human growth, development, and physiology in science classes and with instruction about personal health behaviors in the appropriate wellness/health/science education class.
• Schools are encouraged to limit extended periods of inactivity. When activities such as mandatory testing make it necessary for students to be inactive for long periods of time, it is recommended that schools give students periodic breaks during which they are encouraged to stand and be moderately active.
• Schools are encouraged to develop community partnerships with other child-serving organizations such as park districts and YMCA’s to provide students with opportunities to be active.
• Schools are encouraged to provide student and community access to and promote use of the school’s physical activity facilities outside of the normal school day.
• Physical activity facilities and equipment on school grounds shall be safe.
• Schools are encouraged to work with the community to create a community environment that is safe and supportive of students walking or biking to school.

Food or Physical Activity as a Reward or Punishment

• School personnel shall be encouraged to use nonfood incentives or rewards with students (Attachment D) and shall not withhold food from students as punishment.
• School personnel shall be encouraged to not withhold physical activity as a punishment or withhold participation in recess or physical education class as a punishment.

NUTRITION GUIDELINES FOR ALL FOODS AND BEVERAGES AVAILABLE ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

• Food providers shall offer a variety of age-appropriate, appealing foods and beverage choices and employ food preparation, purchasing and meal planning practices consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (e.g. provide a variety of fruits and vegetable choices; serve low-fat and fat-free dairy products; ensure that whole grain products are served).
• All foods and beverages sold individually (apart from the reimbursable school meal) on school campuses during the school day shall meet nutrition standards (Attachment A). This includes:
• • a la carte offerings in the food service program;
  • food and beverage choices in vending machines, snack bars, school stores; and
  • foods and beverages sold as part of school-sponsored fundraising activities.
• Nutritious and appealing foods and beverages, such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and whole grain products, shall be available wherever and whenever food is sold or otherwise offered at school.

GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL MEALS

• School meals served shall be consistent with the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and/or shall meet, at a minimum, the nutrition requirements and regulations for the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program and all applicable state and local laws and regulations.^11,12,13

MEASURING IMPLEMENTATION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• The district superintendent shall be charged with the operational responsibility for ensuring that each school meets the local wellness policy requirements.
• The district superintendent shall appoint a district wellness team that includes parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, the school board, school administrators, and the public to oversee development, implementation and evaluation of the wellness policy. In addition, it is recommended that the district superintendent also appoints teachers (including preschool - grade 8, family and consumer science, physical education and health educators) and health professionals (school nurse, physician, dietitian, etc.) as members of the team.
• The terms of district wellness team members shall be staggered for continuity.
• The appointed district wellness team shall be responsible for:
• • creating and maintaining bylaws for operation;
  • assessment of the current school environment;
  • development of a wellness policy;
  • presenting the wellness policy to the school board for approval;
  • measuring the implementation of the wellness policy;
  • recommending revision of the policy, as necessary.
• The principal of each campus shall be responsible for implementation of the local wellness policy and shall appoint a school-based evaluation team to develop and implement an annual evaluation plan.
• The school-based evaluation team shall evaluate policy implementation and identify areas for improvement. The evaluation team shall report their findings to the campus principal and develop with him/her a plan of action for improvement, as needed.
• The wellness team shall hear reports from each campus group annually.
• Before the end of each school year the wellness team shall recommend to the district superintendent any revisions to the policy it deems necessary.
• The wellness team shall report to the superintendent and school board annually on the progress of the wellness team and the status of compliance by the campuses.

Attachment A - Healthful Food and Beverage Options for School Functions*

At any school function (parties, celebrations, meetings, etc.) healthful food options should be made available to promote student, staff and community wellness. Examples of nutritious food and beverages that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are listed below.

• Raw vegetable sticks/slices with low-fat dressing or yogurt dip
• Fresh fruit wedges - cantaloupe, honey dew, watermelon, pineapple, oranges, tangelos, etc.
• Sliced fruit - nectarines, peaches, kiwi, star fruit, plums, pears, mangos, apples, etc.
• Fruit salad
• Cereal and low-fat milk
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice
• Frozen fruit pops with fruit juice or fruit as the first ingredient
• Dried fruits - raisins, cranberries, apples, apricots
• Single serving applesauce or canned fruit in juice
• Fruit smoothies made with fat-free or low-fat milk
• Trail mix (dried fruits)
• Lean meats and reduced fat cheese sandwiches (use light or reduced fat mayonnaise in chicken/tuna salads)
• Party mix (variety of cereals, pretzels, etc.)
• Pretzels or reduced fat crackers
• Baked chips with salsa or low-fat dip (Ranch, onion, bean, etc.)
• Low-fat muffins (small or mini), granola bars and cookies (graham crackers, fig bars)
• Mini bagels with whipped light or fat-free cream cheese
• Pasta salad
• Bread sticks with marinara
• Fat-free or low-fat flavored yogurt & fruit parfaits
• Fat-free or low-fat pudding cups
• Fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products (string cheese, single-serving cottage cheese, cheese cubes)
• Flavored soy milk fortified with calcium
• Pure ice cold water

*This list is not all inclusive and is meant only to provide parents and school staff with guidance for healthier food and beverage choices. Not all food and beverage items on this list will necessarily meet district nutrient standards (Attachment C) as items vary in sugar, fat and calorie content from brand to brand. However, all of the items in the list are believed to be consistent with the intent of the wellness policy to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity.

Attachment B - Fundraising Ideas

• Raffle
• Candles
• Bracelets
• Karaoke
• Book sale
• Cookbook
• *Car wash
• *Walkathons
• Student artwork
• Stuffed animals
• Stadium pillows
• School photo ID
• Educational games
• Holiday decorations
• Shopping donation programs
• School mascot temporary tattoos
• Faculty and/or student talent show
• Teacher/student sports competition
• Auction of donated goods and services
• Balloon bouquets for special occasions
• Bottled water with the schools own label
• Refillable water bottle with the school logo
• Glow in the dark novelties (popular at dances)
• Greeting cards, especially designed by students
• School calendars with all the important school dates on them
• Party bags for kids’ birthday parties filled with non-food novelties
• Sale of flowers and balloons for the family to purchase for student graduates
• School spirit items - tee-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, lanyards, pennants, bracelets and caps
• Growing and/or selling flowers and plants for holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day

*These fundraisers have the added benefit of promoting physical activity for students.

Attachment C - Nutrient-Based Menu (or most current guidelines)

Food or Beverage	HealthierUS School Challenge Nutrition Standards* These criteria focus on decreasing fat and added sugar, increasing nutrient density, and moderating portion size.
Fruits and Non-fried Vegetables	Fruits and vegetables may be fresh, frozen, canned or dried, and they must be found in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs. Approved Beverages	Flavored or plain reduced fat (2%), low-fat (1%), skim/nonfat fluid milk meeting State and local standards for pasteurized fluid milk and/or USDA approved alternative dairy beverages4; 100% full-strength fruit and vegetable juices; and Water (non-flavored, non-sweetened, and non-carbonated)
Any Other Individual Food Sales/Service	Calories from total fat must be at or below 35%**, excluding nuts, seeds, and nut butters. This is determined by dividing the calories from total fat by the total calories and multiplying by 100. If calories from fat are not available, multiply the grams of fat by 9 to equal calories from fat. Calories from saturated fat must be at or below 10%. This is determined by dividing the calories from saturated fat by the total calories and multiplying by 100. If calories from saturated fat are not available, multiply grams of saturated fat by 9 to equal calories from saturated fat. Total sugar must be at or below 35% by weight. This is determined by dividing the grams of total sugar by the gram weight of the product and multiplying by 100. This includes both naturally occurring and added sugars. This limit does not include fruits and vegetables or flavored milk as defined above. Portion size for a la carte sales in the school cafeteria are not to exceed the serving size of the food served in the National School Lunch Program/School Breakfast Program; for vending sales the item package or container is not to exceed 200 calories.

4 There are no USDA approved alternative dairy beverages at this time. Public Law 108-265 (Child Nutrition Program Reauthorization) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish nutritionally equivalent non-dairy beverages by July 1, 2005. Please check with the Illinois State Board of Education for clarification.

*The above Nutrition Standards are criteria for sales/service of a la carte and/or vended items from the United States Department of Agriculture’s HealthierUS School Challenge. Please be aware that these criteria are only meant to apply to individually sold foods and that foods sold as part of a reimbursable school meal may not necessarily meet these criteria although menus meet the nutrition standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for school meals. Local policy makers may wish to modify the standards but should be aware that this may make schools ineligible to meet the criteria for the HealthierUS School Challenge.

EXEMPTIONS
*FMNV-food with minimal nutritional value

Exemption #1- Accommodating Students with Special Needs: special needs students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan indicates the use of any FMNV or candy for behavior modification (or other suitable need) may be given FMNV at the discretion of the special education teacher.

Exemption #2- Field Trips: School approved field trips are exempt from the nutrition policy.

Exemption #3 - This policy does not restrict what parents may provide for their own child’s lunch or snacks. Parents may provide FMNV or candy items for their own child’s consumption (although they should be discouraged from doing so), but they may not provide restricted items to other children at school. Academic or discipline plans provided by teachers for parents should include messages about FMNVs and their restrictions in the classroom. Individual schools within the district have the options to develop and implement more restrictive regulations applicable to this section.

Attachment D - Classroom Rewards

• A smile
• Going first
• Verbal praise
• Sit by friends
• Teaching the class
• Helping the teacher
• Enjoy class outdoors
• A field trip for the class
• Choosing a class activity
• Walk with a teacher during lunch
• Eat lunch outdoors with the class
• Eat lunch with a teacher or principal
• Extra credit or class participation points
• Taking care of the class animal for a day
• Have lunch or breakfast in the classroom
• A photo recognition board in a prominent location in the school
• A note from the teacher to the student commending his or her achievement
• A phone call, email, or letter sent home to parents or guardians commending a child’s accomplishment
• Recognition of a child’s achievement on the school-wide morning announcements or school website
• Ribbon, certificate in recognition of achievement or a sticker with an affirming message (e.g. “Great job”)
• Take a trip to the treasure box (filled with: stickers, temporary tattoos, pencils, pens, highlighters, sidewalk chalk, notepads, erasers, bookmarks, etc.)

Attachment E - Recommendations

• School staff shall be encouraged to model healthy eating and physical activity as a valuable part of daily life.
• Brighten the cafeteria by using higher quality (natural) lighting, painting colorful murals on the walls, display student’s art work to decorate the walls.
• Develop and implement pilot programs such as: salad bar every Wednesday; taste test stations the first Friday of the month; homemade and fresh foods every Tuesday; plan a health fair in “September for the whole community to kick off the pilot programs.
• Develop an “I tried a new food” sticker for lunch room staff and volunteers to give out.
• Develop a swipe card system for the cafeteria. Parents can gauge their child’s school lunch room purchases. Will make purchases in the cafeteria quicker and students will have more time to eat. Staff will have more time to devote to serving food and interacting with the students.
• Install water fountains within the cafeteria to encourage water drinking.
• Install hand washing stations just outside of the cafeteria to discourage the spread of germs.

References

1. Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 [Public Law 108-265, Sec. 204]. http://thomas.loc.gov/bss
2. Public Act 094-0199. www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-0199
3. Prevalence of Overweight among Children and Adolescents: United States, National Center for Health Statistics. www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/overwght99.htm
4. Illinois School Code. www.ilga.gov/legislation
    a. Daily Physical Ed Requirements - Section 27-6 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-6]
    b. Rules for Comprehensive Health Education - (23 Ill. Adm. Code 253)
        issued pursuant to the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive
        Health Education Act [105 ILCS 110]
5. Illinois Learning Standards, Illinois State Board of Education, 1997. www.isbe.state.il.us/ils
6. Nutrition services: An essential component of comprehensive school health programs - Joint Position of the American Dietetic Association, Society for Nutrition Education, and the American School Food Service Association, Journal of Nutrition Education 35:2, 2003.
7. Executive Summary, Shape of the Nation 2001. National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE), 2001. www.aahperd.org/naspe/pdf_files/shape_nation.pdf
8. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture, 2005. www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines
9. Fit, Healthy and Ready to Learn, National Association of State Boards of Education, 2000
10. MyPyramid.gov, United States Department of Agriculture. www.mypyramid.gov
11. Minimum School Meals Requirements - section 9(f)(l), 17(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(f)(l), 1766(a))
12. Minimum School Meals Requirements - subsections (a) and (b) of section 10 of the Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S.C. 1779)
13. Illinois School Food Service - Ill. Adm. Code Section 305.

RESOURCES FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Fit, Healthy and Ready to Learn, National Association of State Boards of Education. 2000. www.nasbe.org/HealthSchools/index.html
HealthierUS School Challenge, United States Department of Agriculture. www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/criteria_instructions.pdf
Mercedes Independent School District Student Nutrition/Wellness Plan. 2004. www.mercedes.k12.tx.us/menus/Nutrition%20PolicyR10-8-04.pdf
Model Local School Wellness Policies on Physical Activity and Nutrition, National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity, 2005. www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org/WellnessPolicies.html
School Nutrition Association Local Wellness Policy Guidelines, School Nutrition Association. 2005. www.schoolnutrition.org/Index.aspx?id=1075

This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services. The content of this document does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department, nor does mention of trade names, commercial product, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Illinois Nutrition Education & Training Program - In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.