Spearfish School District 40-2
6000 INSTRUCTION

Board Policy                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Code: 6700

WELLNESS POLICY

To support its mission, the Spearfish School District will provide an environment that cultivates maximum student potential.  Nutrition influences a child’s development, health, well-being and potential for learning.  To afford students the opportunity to fully participate in the educational process, the School Board encourages all members of the school community to create an environment that supports life-long healthy eating habits.  Decisions made in all school programs need to reflect and encourage positive nutrition messages and healthy food choices. 

Goals for Nutrition Education

• Students in grades pre-K-12 are to receive nutrition education that is interactive and teaches the skills they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors.
• Nutrition education will be based on the South Dakota Health Education Standards and addresses nutrition concepts progressively through the grades.
• Nutrition education will provide enjoyable, developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant and participatory activities that may involve parents, students and the community.
• Nutrition education efforts will offer information to families that encourages them to teach their children about health and nutrition and to provide nutritional meals for their families.

Goals for Physical Activity

• Physical education classes will include participation in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least half of the class.
• The physical education curriculum should be consistent with South Dakota physical education standards and taught by highly qualified physical education teachers.
• Student-teacher ratios in physical education classes should match those for other subject areas.
• Participation in other activities involving physical activity will not be substituted for meeting the physical education requirements.
• Opportunities for physical activity will be encouraged in all subject areas.
• Daily recess for students in all elementary grades will be provided.
• The district will offer extracurricular activities for students, including interscholastic sports programs as appropriate.
• Staff will rarely restrict recess or other physical activity time as a consequence for inappropriate behavior and/or poor academic performance.  If staff uses recess or other physical activity time as a consequence for inappropriate behavior, then they will strive to incorporate physical activity into this time.

Goals for Other School-Based Activities Designed to Promote Student Wellness

• On-going training and staff development for all staff regarding health and wellness will be provided.
• Students will be provided with a safe, clean and enjoyable eating environment with adequate time, ample space and appropriate facilities to ensure health and wellness.
• Recess scheduled immediately before lunch will be encouraged so that students will arrive less distracted and ready to eat. 
• Community and student access to the school’s physical activity facilities outside the normal school day will be provided to promote recreational/physical activity.
• Fundraising efforts are to be supportive of a healthy lifestyle.  Fundraisers that include physical activity, school support and academic achievement will be encouraged.

Nutrition Guidelines

• The school food service program will operate in accordance with the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1996, and all other applicable laws and regulations governing such programs.
• Food choices, including a-la-carte items, will be consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and should be planned to account for students cultural norms, and to meet special dietary needs (dietician assistance as required).
• School food service departments will neither sell nor give extra portions of dessert and french fries.
• Vending machines with food and beverages will not be available to elementary (K-5) students, and will not be available to any students during meal service.
• Food and beverages sold in such machines accessible to students before school and during the normal school day will meet the Standards for Foods and Beverages and guidelines for vending machines as attached.
• Pricing strategies will be designed to encourage the purchase of nutritious items.

• School staff will encourage healthy/nutritious snacks and beverages at parties and other celebrations.  A list of such snacks and beverages will be disseminated to parents and teachers.
• Classroom rewards should be non-candy items (re:  stickers, erasers, pencils).
• All food and beverages sold in concession stands outside of school hours will include at least a 35% mix of items that meet the Standards for Food and Beverages noted above.
• Organizations are encouraged to sell non-food items and healthy foods as fundraisers.  The school district will make available a list of ideas for acceptable fundraising activities.
• The sale of food or beverages as fundraisers that do not meet the Standards for Food and Beverages will take place after the end of the normal school day.

Wellness Council

• A school Wellness Council (to include teachers, parents, administrators, food service personnel, students, and other interested parties) will be developed to plan, implement, and improve the nutrition and physical activity within the school environment. 
• The Wellness Council will meet at least twice annually and will review this policy and suggest possible revisions, coordinate the implementation of this policy, and promote healthy eating and physical activity.

Appendices available upon request:

1. USDA Dietary Guidelines (available in respective building office)
2. South Dakota Department of Education Standards for Food and Beverages
3. South Dakota Department of Education Content of Vending Machine guidelines
4. Fundraising suggestions (available in respective building office)
5. Suggested party snacks (available in respective building office)
6. Definitions

Adopted           April 10, 2006
Reviewed         January, 2009