EFA: Local Wellness Program

EFA-AR: Local Wellness Program

Code: EFA

Adopted: 1/04/07

Revised/Readopted: 7/15/10; 4/08/15; 1/13/16 Orig.  Code(s): EFA

The board recognizes that childhood obesity has become an epidemic in Oregon as well as throughout the nation.  Research indicates that obesity and many diseases associated with obesity are largely preventable through diet and regular physical activity.  Additional research indicated that healthy eating patterns and increased physical activity are essential for students to achieve their academic potential, full physical and mental growth and lifelong health and well-being.

To help ensure students possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make healthy choices for a lifetime, the superintendent shall prepare and implement a comprehensive district nutrition program consistent with state and federal requirements for districts sponsoring the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the School Breakfast Program (SBP).  The program shall reflect the board’s commitment to providing adequate time for instruction that promotes healthy eating through nutrition education, serving healthy and appealing foods at district schools, developing food-use guidelines for staff and establishing liaisons with nutrition service providers, as appropriate.

The input of staff, students, parents, the public, representatives of the school food authority and public health professionals will be encouraged.  The superintendent or designee will develop administrative regulations as necessary to implement the goals of this policy throughout the district.

Nutrition Education

Nutrition education topics shall be integrated within the sequential, comprehensive health education program taught at every grade level, prekindergarten through grade 12, and coordinated with the district’s nutrition and food services operation.

Nutrition Guidelines

It is the intent of the board that district schools be proactive in encouraging students to make nutritious food choices.  Food and beverage items sold or served to students in a K-12 public school as part of the regular or extended school day shall meet the minimum state and federal standards.  Exceptions to this requirement include items that are part of the USDA National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.  Other exceptions are foods and beverages provided in the following instances:

1. When the school is the site of school-related events or events for which parents and other adults are a significant part of an audience; or
2. The sale of food or beverage items before, during or after a sporting event, interscholastic activity, a play, band or choir concert.

Although the board believes that the district’s nutrition and food services operation should be financially self-supporting, it recognizes that the nutrition program is an essential educational and support activity. Therefore, budget neutrality or profit generation must not take precedence over the nutrition needs of its students.  In compliance with federal law, the district’s NSLP and SBP shall be nonprofit.

The superintendent is directed to develop administrative regulations to implement this policy that addresses all food and beverage items sold and/or served to students at district schools, including provisions for staff development, family and community involvement and program evaluation.  These food and beverage items include competitive foods, snacks and beverages sold from vending machines and school stores, and similar food and beverage items from fund-raising activities and refreshments that are made available at school parties, celebrations and meetings.

Physical Activity

The board realizes that a quality physical education program is an essential component for all students to learn about and participate in physical activity.  Physical activity should be included in a school’s daily education program for grades pre-K through 12.  Physical activity should include regular instructional physical education as well as co-curricular activities and recess.  The district will develop and assess student performance standards in order to meet the Oregon Department of Education’s physical education content standards.

Reimbursable School Meals

The district may enter into an agreement with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to operate reimbursable school meal programs.  The superintendent will develop administrative regulations as necessary to implement this policy and meet the requirements of state and federal law.  These guidelines shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of section 10 of the Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S.C.  1779) and section 9(f)(1) and 17(a) of the Richard B.  Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.  1758(f)(1), 1766(a)(0).

School Employee Wellness

The district encourages school staff to pursue a healthy lifestyle that contributes to their improved health status, improved morale and a greater personal commitment to the school’s overall wellness program. Many actions and conditions that affect the health of school employees may also influence the health and learning of students.  The physical and mental health of school employees is integral to promoting and protecting the health of students and helps foster their academic success.  The district’s employee wellness program will promote health and reduce risk behaviors of employees and identify and correct conditions in the workplace that can compromise the health of school employees, reduce their levels of productivity, impede student success and contribute to escalating health-related costs such as absenteeism.

The district will work with community partners to identify programs/services and resources to compliment and enrich employee wellness endeavors.

Other School-Based Activities

The district will promote district and community based activities that foster healthy eating and create environments that promote physical activity.  Families and the community will be encouraged to provide healthy food choices in all situations where food is served.  Educational workshops, screenings and literature related to healthy food choices and physical activity may be offered to families.

Evaluation of the Local Wellness Policy

The board will involve parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, school

administrators and the public in the development and review of this policy.  The board shall establish a Wellness Advisory Committee to advise the district in the creation of the local wellness policy.  The policy will be reviewed every three years.  In an effort to measure the implementation of this policy the board designates the superintendent as the person who will be responsible for ensuring the district meets the goals outlined in this policy.

END OF POLICY

Legal Reference(s):

National School Lunch Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 210 (2006).

School Breakfast Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 220 (2006).

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296 Section 204.

Cross Reference(s):

EFAA - District Nutrition and Food Services

EFAE - Child Nutrition Hearings Procedural - Appeals

EFAL - Child Nutrition - Second Meals