Narragansett Regional School District

Wellness Policy

Adopted by School Committee May 17, 2006

The Narragansett Regional School Committee, in partnership with parents, students, school personnel and the local communities, is committed to providing school environments that promote overall wellness through education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices.

POLICY GOALS

Therefore, it is the policy of the Narragansett Regional School District that:

The NRSD will encourage participation of students, parents, teachers, food service and health professionals, and other interested community members on the District's Wellness Committee whose function is to develop, implement, monitor, and review the district-wide wellness policy.

All foods and beverages sold or served at school will adhere to RDA established guidelines and be consistent with the USDA standards. Foods and beverages available will include a variety of healthy choices to improve student nutrition.

Qualified child nutrition professionals will provide students with access to affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of all students and will provide clean, safe, and pleasant settings with adequate time for students to eat.

All students in grades K-12 will be provided with nutrition education and physical education opportunities to foster lifelong habits of healthy eating and physical activity. Relationships will establish linkages between health education, school meal programs, and community services. The students will have opportunities, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a daily basis.

TO ACHIEVE THESE POLICY GOALS:

NRSD Wellness Committee
The NRSD will establish a Wellness Committee to develop, implement, monitor, review, and, as necessary, revise school nutrition and physical activity policies. The Committee will serve as a resource to schools in the District implementing those policies. The Committee, a group of individuals representing the school and community, should include parents, students, food service professionals, health service professionals, teachers, school administrators, and members of the public.
1. The District shall conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of this policy, outcomes for programs that respond to one or more elements of this policy, and correlations to improvements in student attendance, achievement and health. Sources of data may include but are not limited to the health service department, school records- such as attendance records, parent/student/faculty surveys, etc. Both qualitative and quantitative data will be studied. The findings of this evaluation will be used to further improve wellness efforts and outcomes for all internal and external stakeholders, especially the students we serve.
2. The Wellness Committee shall advise the District on all nutrition education curricula and materials for accuracy, completeness, balance and consistency with the state's/District's educational goals and standards. Materials developed by food marketing boards shall be examined for acceptable commercial messages.
3. Community Involvement
  1. The Committee will involve the community in supporting and reinforcing nutrition and physical education in the Narragansett Regional School District.
Nutritional Quality of Foods and Beverages Sold and Served at NRSD Schools During the School Day
1. School Meals
  1. All school meals will adhere to RDA established guidelines.
  2. Meals will include an offering of at least two fruits and/or vegetables.
  3. Foods offered should include whole grain products, non-processed foods and/or fresh fruits/vegetables.
  4. Nutrition guidelines that require the use of products that are high in fiber, low in added fats, sugar and sodium, and served in appropriate portion sizes consistent with the USDA standards shall be established for all foods offered by the District's Nutrition Services Department or contracted vendors.
    1. The school food service program will comply with USDA's disability requirements for modified diets.
    2. The school food service program is strongly encouraged to meet ethnic dietary requests as recommended by USDA.
2. Food items sold individually
  1. Will have no more than 35% of its calories from fat (excluding nuts, seeds, peanut butter, and other nut butters) and 10% of its calories from saturated and trans fat combined.
  2. Will have no more than 35% of its weight from added sugars.
  3. Will contain no more than 230 mg. of sodium per serving for chips, cereals, crackers, French fries, baked goods and other snack items.
  4. Will contain no more than 480 mg. of sodium per serving for pastas, meats and soups and will contain no more than 600 mg. of sodium for pizza, sandwiches, and main dishes.
  5. Beverages will meet acceptable nutritional standards and may include items such as milk, water, flavored water with no added sugar, and 100 % fruit juices.
3. Nutrition labels
  1. Labels must be on, or posted by, all packaged foods.
  2. Nutritional values and ingredients will be available for review by students and staff with specific medical conditions.
4. Menu and product selection shall utilize student, parent, staff and community advisory groups whenever possible.
5. Vending machines
  1. Will adhere to the foods/beverages sold individually guidelines.
  2. Soda/soft drinks will not be sold.
6. Classroom foods
  1. Classroom snacks will reinforce the importance of healthy choices.
  2. Staff should restrict the use of food rewards not meeting the above standards and are encouraged to use non-food rewards.
  3. Celebrations that involve food during the school day, such as parties, should not include more than one food or beverage that does not meet the nutrition standards for foods/beverages sold individually.
7. Fundraising activities
  1. NRSD schools will encourage fundraisers that promote positive health habits with the sale of nutritious foods or non- food items.
8. School officials will disseminate information to parents, students, and staff about community programs that offer nutrition assistance to families.
Food Service Operations/Food Environment
1. All food service personnel will have adequate pre-service training and participate in ongoing professional development. The food service director must be properly qualified, certified and/or credentialed to administer the school food service program.
2. The food service director will ensure that required and effective food safety practices are applied to all foods prepared, sold, or served at school during the school day.
3. The food service program shall be closely coordinated with nutrition instruction with its staff working with those responsible for other components of the school health program to achieve common goals.
4. Meals must be served in dining areas that are clean, pleasant and provide enough seating to accommodate all students who would like to sit and eat.
5. Students should be provided with sufficient time to eat during meal periods, with at least 20 minutes for lunch.
6. Students will be provided with access to hand washing or hand sanitizing facilities before they eat.
Physical Activity, Physical Education and Nutrition Education
1. Physical activity
  1. Whenever possible, elementary schools will provide daily recess that encourages physical activity.
  2. Whenever possible, opportunities for physical activity will be incorporated into other subject lessons and between lessons/classes during the regular school day.
  3. Schools will provide information to parents to help promote and incorporate physical activity and healthy eating into their children's lives.
2. Physical Education
  1. Physical education at the elementary schools and middle school will be offered at least 2 times a week. The Committee will encourage an increase in physical education at the high school level.
  2. Schools should ensure that every student from kindergarten through twelfth grade is offered regular, age-appropriate, quality physical education.
  3. Physical education will be designed to build interest and proficiency in the skills, knowledge, and attitudes essential to a lifelong physically active lifestyle. It should include providing information, fostering positive atmosphere, encouraging self-discipline, developing motor skills, and promoting activities that can be carried out over the course of students' lives.
  4. The physical education program will be designed to stress physical fitness and encourage healthy, active lifestyles. It shall consist of physical activities of at least moderate intensity and for a duration that is sufficient to provide a significant health benefit to students, subject to the differing abilities of students.
  5. Students will be supported in setting and meeting personal fitness goals that result in the achievement and maintenance of a health enhancing level of physical fitness.
  6. All physical education classes will be taught by certified physical education teachers.
  7. The physical education curriculum will be coordinated with the health/nutrition curriculums.
3. Nutrition Education
  1. Staff responsible for nutrition education shall be adequately prepared and participate regularly in professional development activities to effectively deliver the nutrition education program as planned.
  2. District programs should ensure that students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 receive nutrition education that is well integrated within the general curriculum and provides the knowledge that is needed to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  3. Nutrition education will include but not be limited to instruction that helps students learn more about the various food groups, the benefits of healthy eating, and the relationship of a balanced diet and regular exercise to a healthy lifestyle.
  4. The District's nutrition education program will include reinforcement of the benefits of physical activity and the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
  5. School instructional staff shall collaborate with agencies, groups conducting nutrition education in the community, and school food service personnel to send consistent messages regarding nutrition to students and their families.
  6. School staff is encouraged to model healthy eating behaviors and will be encouraged to engage in daily physical activity.
  7. School counselors and school health services staff will consistently promote healthy eating to students and other staff and be able to recognize nutrition related health problems and refer individuals to appropriate services.
  8. The District will support parents' efforts to provide a healthy diet and daily physical activity for their children.
4. Healthy and safe environment
  1. A healthy and safe environment for all, before, during and after school, supports academic success. Safer communities promote healthier students. Healthier students do better in school and make a greater contribution to their community.
  2. The District shall ensure that school facilities and grounds meet all current health and safety standards, including air quality, and have adequate space and equipment that is safe, clean, and well maintained.
  3. Schools and District offices shall maintain an environment that is free of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs.
  4. Safety procedures and appropriate training for students and staff will support personal safety and a violence and harassment free environment.
  5. Each worksite, school and classroom will work to create an environment where students, parents/guardians and staff are respected, valued and accepted with high expectations for personal behavior.