Wellness Policy on Physical Activity and Nutrition

Washington Community Schools
Wellness Policy on Physical Activity and Nutrition

The Board of School Trustees of Washington Community Schools supports the health and well-being of
the school corporation’s students by promoting nutrition and physical activity at all grade levels.
In accordance with federal law, it is the policy of the Board to provide students access to healthy foods
and beverages; provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity; and require that
all meals served by the school corporation meet or exceed the federal nutritional guidelines issued by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. A Coordinated School Health Advisory Council will be formed and
maintained to oversee these activities.

The School Wellness Policy shall be made available to students and families by means of school
registration, the student handbook and the corporation’s website.

I. Coordinated School Health Advisory Council
The board will engage parents/guardians, food service professionals, teachers of physical education,
students, school health care professionals, school board members, school administrators, and other
interested community members in developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing corporation-wide
nutrition and physical activity policies. A Coordinated School Health Advisory Council will be formed
and maintained at the corporation level to oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of the
school corporation’s wellness policy.

A. In accordance with state and federal law, the school corporation will form and maintain a
corporation level Coordinated School Health Advisory Council that includes at least the following:

• Parents/Guardians
• Food Service Director/Professionals
• Teachers of Physical Education
• Students
• School health care professionals/Registered Dietitians/School Nurse
• School board members
• School administrators
• Any interested member of the public
• Representatives of interested community organizations

Other potential members of the Council include teachers, teaching assistants, SNAP-Ed educators, and
community representatives such as recreation professionals, city planners, industry professionals and
voluntary service workers.

B. The Advisory Council will meet quarterly to review nutrition and physical activity policies and to
develop an action plan for the coming year. The Council shall meet as needed during the school year to
discuss implementation activities and address barriers and challenges.

C. The Advisory Council shall report annually to the Superintendent and the School Board on the
implementation of the wellness policy and include any recommended changes or revisions.

D. The School Board will adopt or revise nutrition and physical activity policies based on
recommendations made by the Advisory Council.

II. Nutrition Education and Nutrition Promotion
Nutrition topics shall be integrated within the comprehensive health education curriculum and taught at
every grade level (K-12) according to standards of the Indiana Department of Education. Schools will link
nutrition education activities with existing coordinated school health programs or other comparable
comprehensive school health promotion frameworks.

III. Standards for USDA Child Nutrition Programs and School Meals
The board will provide and promote the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs to ensure that all
students have access to healthy foods to support healthier choices and promote optimal learning.

IV. Nutrition Standards for Competitive and Other Foods and Beverages

A. The Board will provide and allow foods and beverages that support proper nutrition, promote
healthy choices, and comply with federal nutrition standards in vending machines, school stores and
concession stands. This also includes food and beverages made available in schools during the school
day for such events as school fundraisers and food and beverages brought into the schools by students
or other person for such events as birthdays and classroom celebrations.
Fundraisers selling food items that do not meet the federal nutrition standards are limited to two
such fundraisers per school building per year.

B. The Board will allow marketing in school buildings and on school grounds during the school day for
only those food and beverages provided by the school that meet the federal nutrition standards.
Marketing that promotes student health will be permitted in school buildings and on school grounds.

V. Physical Activity and Physical Education
The board supports the health and well-being of students by promoting physical activity through physical
education, recess and other physical activity breaks; before- and after-school activities; and walking and
bicycling to school. Additionally, the board supports physical activity among elementary students by
providing them with at least 30 of the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

VI. Other Activities that Promote Student Wellness
The board supports the health and well-being of our students and staff by creating and promoting policy
and environmental supports to provide physical activity and healthy eating opportunities.

VII. Evaluation
Through implementation and enforcement of this policy, the corporation will create an environment that
supports opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating behaviors. To ensure continuing progress,
the corporation will evaluate implementation efforts and their impact on students and staff at least every
three years. The board will notify the public of the results of the three-year assessment and evaluation.

The board designates the superintendent to ensure compliance with this policy and its administrative
regulations. The superintendent is responsible for retaining all documentation of compliance with this
policy and its regulations, including but not limited to each school’s three-year assessment and evaluation
report and this wellness policy and plan. The superintendent will also be responsible for public
notification of the three-year assessment and evaluation report, including any updates to this policy made
as a result of the corporation’s three-year assessment and evaluation.

LEGAL REFERENCE: 42 U.S.C. 1758b
7 CFR Part 210
I.C. 20-26-9-18.5

Administrative Regulations:
II. Nutrition education

1. Health education will be provided as part of a comprehensive health education program and
taught by a licensed health education instructor.
2. The school corporation will provide nutrition education training opportunities to teachers and
staff for all grade levels.

III. Nutrition promotion

1. Nutrition promotion will include lessons that cover topics such as how to read and use food
labels, choosing healthy options and portion control.
2. School staff will collaborate with community groups and organizations to provide opportunities
for student projects related to nutrition (e.g., cultivating school gardens, reading food labels and
maintaining a caloric balance between food intake and physical activity/exercise).
3. Nutrition promotion resources will be provided to parents/guardians through handouts, website
links, school newsletters, presentations and any other appropriate means available to reach
parents/guardians.
4. Nutrition educators will partner with school staff of the school food service program to use the
cafeteria as a learning lab. Healthy items, such as salads and fruits, will be displayed prominently in
cafeterias to make healthier choices more appealing.
5. Nutrition labels will be provided on all foods to allow students to easily identify healthier foods.
6. Foods of minimal nutritional value, including brands and illustrations, shall not be advertised or
marketed in educational materials.

IV. Standards for USDA Child Nutrition Programs and School Meals

A. School Meal Content

1. Meals served through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs will

• Be appealing and appetizing to children;
• Meet, at a minimum, the nutrition requirements established by the USDA for federally funded
programs;
• Contain 0 percent trans fats;
• Offer a variety of fruits and vegetables;
• 100 percent of the grains offered are whole grain-rich.

2. All cooked foods will be baked or steamed. Proper procurement procedures and preparation
methods will be used to decrease excess fat, calorie and sodium levels in food.
3. Schools are encouraged to purchase or obtain fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers when
practical.
4. Students will have the opportunity to provide input on local, cultural and ethnic favorites.
5. The food services department shall provide periodic food promotions that will allow for taste
testing of new healthier foods being introduced on the menu.
6. Special dietary needs of students will be considered when planning meals, according to the
document Accommodating Children with Special Dietary Needs in the School Nutrition Programs.
7. The food services department will share and publicize information about the nutritional content
of meals with students and parents/guardians. The information will be available in a variety of
forms that can include handouts, the school website, articles, school newsletters, presentations that
focus on nutrition and healthy lifestyles, and through any other appropriate means available to reach
families.

B. School Meal Participation

1. To the extent possible, schools will provide the USDA School Breakfast Program to all students.
2. To the extent possible, schools will utilize methods to serve school breakfasts that encourage
participation, including serving breakfast in the classroom, serving “grab-and-go” breakfasts and
arranging transportation schedules to allow for earlier arrival times.
3. Schools will inform families of the availability and location of Summer Food Service Program
meals, in accordance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Schools in which more than
50 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-priced school meals will sponsor the Summer
Food Service Program when feasible.
4. Schools will provide the After School Meal Program, when it becomes available, in accordance
with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

C. Mealtimes and Scheduling

1. Adequate time will be provided to students to eat lunch (at least 20 minutes after being served)
and breakfast (at least 10 minutes after being served).
2. Elementary schools will schedule recess before lunch.
3. School meals will be served in clean and pleasant settings.
4. Students will have convenient access to hand-washing and sanitizing stations.
5. Potable (drinking) water must be readily available at all mealtimes.
6. Appropriate supervision will be provided in the cafeteria and rules for safe behavior shall be
consistently enforced.

D. Professional Development

1. Professional development and training will be provided at least annually to food service
managers and staff on proper food handling techniques and healthy cooking practices.

V. Nutrition Standards for Competitive and Other Food and Beverages

A. Approved Nutrition Standards, based on the nutrition standards of the Institute of Medicine (2007).

1. K-12 à la carte, school vending machines and other foods outside of school meals shall be limited
to:

• No more than 30 percent of total calories from fat,
• Less than 10 percent of total calories from saturated fats,
• 0 percent trans fats,
• No more than 35 percent of calories from total sugars,
• No more than 200 milligrams of sodium per portion as packaged,
• No more than 200 calories per package, and
• 100 percent of the grains offered are whole grain-rich.

2. K-12 à la carte, school vending machines and other beverages outside of school meals shall be
limited to:

• Water without flavoring, additives, or carbonation,
• Low-fat and nonfat milk (in 8- to 12-ounce portions),
• 100% fruit juice in 4-ounce portions as packaged for elementary/middle school and 8 ounces (2
portions) for high school, and
• All beverages other than water, white milk or juice shall be no larger than 12 ounces.

B. Availability

1. A vending machine at an elementary school that dispenses food or beverage items may not be
accessible to students.
2. Vending machines in middle and high schools:

• Will not be available during mealtimes.
• Will contain items that meet the approved nutrition standards.

3. Vending machines for school staff will not be accessible to students.
4. Food and beverages will not be sold in school stores.
5. Students and staff will have free, potable (drinking) water for consumption available in water
fountains throughout the school building.

C. Concession Stands

1. The concession items sold at school-sponsored events to participants, fans and visitors shall
include at least 50 percent healthy beverages and foods, according to the approved nutrition
standards.

D. Classroom Celebrations

1. Classroom celebrations will focus on activities (e.g., giving free time, extra recess, music and
reading time) rather than on food.
2. Classroom celebrations that include food will be limited to one per month. Food items must
comply with federal nutrition standards.
3. Schools shall inform parents/guardians of the classroom celebration guidelines.
E. Food as a Reward or Punishment
1. Teachers and staff will not use food as a reward. For example, the use of sugar-sweetened
beverages or candy as a classroom reward at any school is not appropriate.
2. School staff will not withhold food or drink at mealtimes as punishment.

F. Fundraisers

1. Fundraising activities will support healthy eating and wellness. Schools will promote the sale of
non-food items for school-sponsored fundraising. For a food or beverage item to be sold as a
fundraiser, it must meet the approved nutrition standards. Fundraisers subject to this rule are those
sold during the school day on school grounds. School day is defined as from midnight the night
before to 30 minutes after the end of school.

G. Non-sold food and beverages:

1. Non-sold food and beverages will comply with federal nutrition standards.

H. Marketing

1. Signage or similar media on school campus during the school day may only advertise food and/or
beverages provided and sold by the school that meet the competitive foods standards for foods sold
in schools (i.e. Smart Snacks).

VI. Physical Activity and Physical Education

A. Physical Education K-12

1. All students in grades K-12 will participate in physical education in order to meet the Physical
Education Standards. Also, high schools will encourage students to take more than the courses of
physical education required for all Indiana diplomas.
2. Waivers will not apply towards the physical education courses required for a diploma. Credit
flexibility in physical education will be limited to elective physical education courses.
3. Physical education classes will have the same student/teacher ratio used in other classes. In
Indiana, the ratio for a single school shall not exceed an average of 30 to 1.
4. The physical education program shall be provided adequate space and equipment to ensure
quality physical education classes for students.

B. Daily Recess and Physical Activity Breaks

1. Each elementary school shall provide daily physical activity in accordance with Indiana Code 20-
30-5-7.5.
2. All elementary school students will have at least 1 period of active recess per day that is at least
20 minutes in length as recommended by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education
(NASPE). This recess period will be outdoors when possible. If outdoor recess is not possible due
to inclement weather, teachers will provide an indoor physical activity break in the classroom.
3. All teachers will be encouraged to use physical activity breaks during classroom time as often as
possible.
4. Schools should discourage extended periods of inactivity (2 or more hours). During events such
as mandatory school-wide testing, teachers will give students periodic breaks for moderate physical
activity.

C. Physical Activity Opportunities Before and After School

1. Schools will offer intramurals, clubs, interscholastic sports and voluntary activities to increase
opportunities for physical activity before and/or after school, taking into account student interest
and supervisor availability.

2. After-school enrichment providers will include physical activity in their programs, to the extent
space and equipment allow.

D. Physical Activity and Remedial Activities/Punishment

1. Students will not be removed or excused from physical education to receive instruction in other
content areas.
2. School staff will not use physical activity (e.g., running laps, pushups) or withhold opportunities
for physical activity (e.g., recess, physical education) as punishment.

VI. Other School Based Activities

A. Walking and Bicycling to School

1. Where appropriate and safe, schools will allow walking and bicycling to school.
2. To the extent possible, the school corporation will make improvements so it is safer, easier and
more enjoyable for students to walk and bicycle to school.
3. The school corporation will explore the availability of both local and federal funding (e.g., Safe
Routes to School funds administered by the Indiana Department of Transportation) to finance such
improvements.
4. Schools will promote walking and bicycling to school, including the promotion of International
Walk to School Day, which falls on the first Wednesday of October each year.

B. Use of School Facilities Outside of School Hours

1. School spaces and facilities, such as the playground, gym, pool and track, will be made available
to students, staff and community members before and after the school day; on weekends; and
during school vacations. School policies concerning safety will apply at all times.

C. Staff Wellness

1. The school corporation will promote programs to increase knowledge of physical activity and
healthy eating for faculty and staff. Presentations on health and wellness will be provided at least
twice each school year.
2. The school corporation will work with local fitness centers to offer reduced membership fees.
3. Schools will allow staff to use school facilities outside of school hours for activities such as group
fitness classes, walking programs and individual use.
4. Staff will be encouraged to participate in community walking, bicycling or running events.
5. Physical education will be taught by a licensed physical education instructor.
6. All staff involved in physical education will be provided opportunities for professional
development focusing on physical activity, fitness, health and wellness.
7. Schools will promote breastfeeding by making reasonable efforts to provide a private location for
employees to express breast milk in accordance with IC 22-2-14-2.

VII. Evaluation of Wellness Policy

A. Implementation and Data Collection

1. 1. The school corporation will use an evidence-based assessment tool to track the collective
health of students over time by collecting data such as body composition (height and weight),
aerobic capacity, and/or muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.

2. The superintendent is responsible for retaining all documentation of compliance with this
policy and its regulations, but the principals shall ensure that their individual schools are in
compliance with the corporation’s wellness policy every three school years by assessing
wellness implementation strategies. The principals shall provide a written report to the
superintendent, who will provide the report to the school board. The principal’s report shall
contain the following information: the school’s progress toward meeting the wellness goals
over the previous three school years; the website address for the wellness policy and how the
public can receive a copy of the policy; a description of the progress in meeting the goals, a
summary of the event or activities related to the implementation of the policy; the name,
position, and contact information of the school official coordinating the health advisory council
or the school’s wellness team; and information on how individuals and the public can get
involved with the school’s wellness team.
3. The evaluation of the wellness policy and implementation will be directed by the Coordinated
School Health Advisory Council and will be responsible for the three-year assessment of each
school’s compliance with the policy and its regulations. The three-year assessment must
measure the implementation of this policy and its regulations; the extent to which each school
is in compliance with the policy; the extent this policy compares to other model school wellness
policies; and a description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the wellness policy. As
a result of this assessment and evaluation the policy and regulations will be revised as needed.

3. The three-year assessment and evaluation report will be made available to the public by posting it
on the school corporation website.