Wellness and Nutrition Policy
Policy
Procedures
Team Success A School of Excellence is committed to providing a school environment that promotes and protects children’s health, well-being, and their ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity. We also believe that healthy staff can more effectively perform their assigned duties and model appropriate wellness behaviors for students. Furthermore, healthy students, teachers and staff are keys to reducing costs related to school operations.
Team Success A School of Excellence will establish and maintain a student/staff wellness committee:
- The committee will be composed of at a minimum: one administrator, one instructional staff member, one food service staff member, a physical education instructor, and parent.
- Wellness programs should include opportunities for continuing education, exercise and behavior modification initiatives.
The school will provide training, tools and information to enable effective implementation of the Local Wellness Policy.
Part I: Nutrition and Nutritional Education
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- All school meals comply with USDA regulations and state policies.
- Guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.
- Students with special dietary needs will be accommodated as required by USDA regulations.
- The school will make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals by:
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- Promoting the availability of meals to all students.
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- Barriers to student participation in the Child Nutrition Programs are eliminated:
- Students will have at least 15 minutes to eat breakfast and at least 15 minutes to eat lunch. This does NOT include time spent walking in/to/from class or waiting in line for food service. If time is a concern, alternate arrangements will be made which could include grab and go, or other identified initiatives.
- On site deep fat fried foods will not be offered as a component of the SBP or NSLP.
- Fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat milk (1% and less), healthy food preparation methods and health-enhancing nutrition practices will be promoted.
- Breakfast
- At least 50% of prepackaged cereals offered will contain no more than 35% of weight from total sugar, or less than 9 grams/100 calories, and all will be whole grain.
- Lunch
- Entrees served over the course of the week will have no more than 30% calories from fat, 10% calories from saturated fat.
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- Vending of food and beverages items is not allowed on school property in areas accessible to students
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- Students are allowed to have individual water bottles in the classroom, unless disciplinary issues dictate otherwise.
- On site fundraiser sales of food and beverages may only take place after the normal school day is finished.
- Parents, teachers, and staff are encouraged to provide non-food alternatives for activities during the school day.
- Refreshments provided for students participating in classroom parties and celebrations should come in closed containers from inspected facilities.
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- All students in grades K-10, including students with disabilities, special healthcare needs and in alternative education settings, have the opportunity to participate in a variety of learning experiences that support development of healthful eating habits.
- At least one full school day of nutrition education is provided for all students in every course across all disciplines during the Spring Team Success Nutrition Education Week.
- Lessons will utilize the Florida Department of Education Health Education Benchmarks for each grade level.
- Lessons will include pre- and post-test evaluations
- All students in grades K-10, including students with disabilities, special healthcare needs and in alternative education settings, have the opportunity to participate in a variety of learning experiences that support development of healthful eating habits.
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- Cafeteria
- Attractive, current nutrition education materials are prominently displayed in dining areas.
- Teachers collaborate with the school food and nutrition staff to use the cafeteria as a learning laboratory that allows students to apply critical thinking skills.
- The school encourages each member of the staff (certified and non-certified) to serve as healthy role models for students.
- Cafeteria
Part II: Physical Activity
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- Classroom nutrition education will complement physical education by reinforcing the knowledge and self-management skills needed to maintain a physically active lifestyle and to reduce time spent on sedentary activities, such as watching television.
- Opportunities for physical activity will be incorporated into other subject lessons.
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- School physical education programs will provide:
- Opportunities to participate in lifetime physical activities, such as walking, aerobics, dance, etc..
- School physical education programs will provide:
Part III: Monitoring & Evaluation
Armando Viota - Coordinator
Althea Harrell- Food Service Manager
Alisander Ayala- Physical Education Director
Maria Rodriguez - Parent representative
Principal’s Designee to oversee compliance of the Wellness Policy: A. Viota