Wellness Council

Policy

• School Meals
• Competitive Food and Beverages
• Celebrations and Rewards
• Nutrition Promotion and Education
• Social and Emotional Climate
• Physical Education and Activity

• Educational Materials for Loan through the Wellness Council
• Wellness Policy Assessment Tool 

• Meeting Minutes

Why do we have a Wellness Council?

A 2004 federal mandate required all schools participating in federally subsidized school lunch programs to have a Wellness Policy developed and put in place by June 30, 2006. The policy was to include the following elements: goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. The mandate originated from the need to address the significant rise in childhood obesity and inactivity. Some alarming U.S. statistics which have prompted the beginning of these initiatives:

- 9 million children ages 6 to 19 are overweight
- 80% of overweight children will become obese adults
- Only 1 in 4 children get 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily
- 75% of children get less than 20 minutes of vigorous activity daily
- Excess weight and inactivity are direct causes of Heart Disease, Stroke, Type II
Diabetes and some types of Cancer.
- This is the first generation of children in history that is expected to have a shorter life
expectancy than their parents.

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What is the purpose of the Wellness Committee?

The Wellness Committee helps to implement the policy by providing information and encouraging programming throughout the school district that will help to meet the guidelines of the policy.

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What does the Wellness Committee do?

Wellness Committee End of Year Report
October, November, January, March and May meetings

We looked at new regulations working towards updating our current Wellness Policy.

• Although we have really been ahead of the game in regards to District Wellness with our plan and our initiatives, there are parts of the plan that need to be revised including a section which outlines the District's Goals, Implementation and Evaluation of these goals.
• We will be adding a Social/Emotional set of goals as we believe this is an important part of student wellness.
• Updating the plan has been a work in progress, our goal is to complete by January of next year.

• We are seeing a trend toward more monthly birthdays, healthier holiday celebrations and more movement in the classroom.
• Focus on raising awareness through educating teachers and students.
• Wellness Fairs in almost every building.
• Shared "Best Practices" not only in our meetings, but through the newsletter.
• Informed teachers of programs which can be incorporated into the classroom.
• We continue to provide factuly/staff with Wellness initiatives before each of the PDC Days and information in the newsletter to promote both awareness and exposure to healthy lifestyle practices and choices.  As a committee, we believe that teachers serve as educators and role models when it comes to all areas of wellness including: nutrition, physical activity and social emotional stability.

Who is on the Wellness Council?

Christopher Campolieta, Athletic Director
Lauren Dahm, Physical Education
Wayne Davison Jr., Board member
Kristen Foote, Counselor
Kelly Galliher, Speech Therapist
AnnMarie Kanoza, Physical Education
Sue Kratochwill, Teaching Assistant
Patricia Laforce-Bowman, Teaching Assistant
Karrie LaMacchia, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Danielle Nahorney, Director of Data and Accountability
Donna Rice, Food Service Director
Adriana Savage, Program Coordinator Public Health Education
Sam Schraven, Board Member
Rachel Verdoliva, BOCES
Kim Vile, Assistant Superintendent for Management Services
Jessica Volz, Physical Education
Jennifer Wolken, Director of Pupil and Personnel Services
 
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What impact will the Wellness Policy have on our schools?

The policy is to provide guidelines in the following Wellness areas:
- Raising awareness of the importance of healthy eating and physical activity habits
- Increasing the number of students who eat breakfast at home or in school
- Reducing unhealthy food in the classrooms and using food as a reward
- Increasing physical activity opportunities through intramurals, student sponsored sport events, walking programs and changes in the school grounds such as walking paths etc.

We understand that we are talking about a culture change within our schools, and that this will take time to achieve. The policy includes guidelines for suggestions of alternatives to unhealthy food in the classroom, and for moving away from food as a reward.
 

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WELLNESS POLICY & REGULATIONS

 Click here for Policy and Regulations

The Baldwinsville Central School District (District) is committed to providing a school environment which ensures that all students and staff feel healthy, safe, supported, engaged, and challenged.  The District Administration and Board of Education (Board) recognizes that physical, social, and emotional health are linked to academic achievement and college, career, community, and civic readiness.  Students learn better in healthy schools with healthy employees.  We believe that it is our responsibility to create learning environments that foster health and well-being for all students and employees.

1. Students in our District shall have access to healthy foods and drinkable water throughout the school day including access to the USDA’s Child Nutrition Program.
2. All students in grades PK-12 shall receive high quality, comprehensive, standards-based health, nutrition, and physical education that provides students with learning experiences to develop the skills to live a healthy, well-rounded lifestyle.
3. All students in grades PK-12 shall have the opportunities to be physically active on a regular basis throughout the school day, which will include wellness time, outdoor learning, movement in the classroom, activity breaks, play, and before and after-school programming.
4. Our District shall create and maintain healthy and safe physical environments that promote learning by ensuring the health and safety of students and employees.
5. All students will have access to strategies to help develop knowledge and skills for social-emotional health.
6. All students will have access to high quality counseling, psychological, and social services to support mental, behavioral, and social-emotional wellbeing.
7. All employees will be supported through the District Wellness Committee (DWC) Initiative which will provide education, support, and resources to assist employees on their journey to create a work-life balance and improve quality of life.
8. The District will remain committed to establishing strong partnerships with students, employees, families, community members, and community organizations to ensure engagement and involvement between school and other settings to maximize the impact of wellness programming.

District Wellness Committee

The District has established a wellness committee that meets at least four times per year to oversee and establish goals for school health and wellness programming, including the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of this district-level wellness policy.  The DWC will evaluate and make recommendations that reflect the specific needs of the District and its students.

The DWC membership will represent all school levels, and include (to the extent possible), but not be limited to, representatives from the following groups:

1. Students
2. Parents/Caregivers
3. Physical Education Teachers
4. School health professionals
5. District Food Service Program Representatives
6. School Board
7. School Administrators
8. General Education teachers
1. Support Staff
10. Members of the Public

Each Elementary building will employ a “Wellness Club Advisor” who is committed to helping create a healthier environment for students through development and implementation of an extracurricular “Wellness Club” as well as building “Wellness Day.”

The DWC will be governed by two (2) Co-Chairs: who will convene the DWC, facilitate the development of and updates to the wellness policy and serve as liaison to community agencies.

Wellness Policy Implementation, Monitoring, Accountability and Community Engagement

The DWC will develop and maintain a plan to implement, manage and coordinate the execution of the wellness policy.  The plan will delineate roles, responsibilities, actions, and timelines for all buildings and levels across the District.  It will also include specific goals and objectives for nutrition standards for all foods and beverages available on the school campus, food and beverage marketing, nutrition promotion and education, physical education, social-emotional wellness, and other school-based activities that promote student and employee wellness.  In developing these goals, the District or DWC will review anecdotal information and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques.

Annual Notification of Policy

The DWC will inform families and the general public each year, via the District website and/or District-wide communications of information about this wellness policy, including but not limited to:  its implementation status, its content, and any updates to the policy.  The District will endeavor to share as much information as possible about its schools’ nutrition environment, including a summary of school events or activities relative to this wellness policy implementation.  Each year, the District will also publicize the name and contact information of the District official(s) leading and coordinating the DWC, as well as information on how the community may get involved with the DWC.

Triennial Assessments

At least once every three years, the District will assess its compliance with this wellness policy.  The triennial assessment will measure the implementation of this wellness policy, and include an assessment of:

1. The extent to which schools in the District are in compliance with this wellness policy;
2. The extent to which this wellness policy compares to model local school wellness policies; and
3. A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of this wellness policy.

Revisions and Updating the Policy

This wellness policy will be assessed and updated, at a minimum, every three years based on the results of the triennial assessment.  This wellness policy may also be updated as District priorities change, community needs change, wellness goals are met, new health science, information and technology emerge, and/or new Federal or State guidance or standards are issued.

Evaluation and feedback from interested parties are welcomed as an essential part of revising and updating this wellness policy.

Community Involvement, Outreach, and Communications

On an annual basis, the District will make this wellness policy available to families and the public via the district website.  The District will use these same means to inform families and the public on how to become involved with and support this wellness policy, as well as about the results of the triennial assessment.

Recordkeeping

The District will retain records to document compliance with the requirements of this wellness policy in the District Office and/or on the District’s central computer network.  Documentation maintained at this location includes, but is not limited to:

1. The written wellness policy;
2. Documentation demonstrating that this wellness policy has been made available to the Public;
3. Documentation of efforts to review and update this wellness policy including who is involved in the update and how those interested in participating can join the committee.
4. Information regarding the most recent triennial assessment.

Nutrition Environment and Services

The District seeks to ensure all of its students obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious food selections and enjoy life-long physical activity.  To this end, the District sets forth the following goals relating to nutrition.

School Meals

The District is committed to promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity by:

1. Serving meals that meet or exceed nutrition requirements established by local, state, and Federal statutes and regulations;
2. Ensuring all students have a scheduled lunch period;
3. Providing all students with adequate time to consume meals;
4. Promoting healthy food and beverage choices;
5. Preparing meals that are appealing and attractive to students;
6. Serving meals in clean and pleasant settings;
7. Having lunch follow the wellness time (when feasible) to better support learning and healthy eating; and
8. Encouraging student participation in federal Child Nutrition Programs.

Child Nutrition Programs aim to improve the diet and health of school children, help mitigate childhood obesity, model healthy eating to support the development of lifelong healthy eating patterns and support healthy choices while accommodating cultural food preferences and special dietary needs.

All schools within our District participate in the following federal Child Nutrition Programs:

          National School Lunch Program
          School Breakfast Program

District Food Service staff will work to meet with students in grade 4-12 each year to solicit feedback on the school lunch program.

Staff Qualifications and Professional Development

All school nutrition program directors, managers and staff will meet or exceed hiring and annual continuing education and training requirements as specified to the USDA Professional Standards for School Nutrition professionals.

Water

To promote hydration, free, safe unflavored water will be available to all students and staff throughout the school day and throughout each campus building.

Competitive Food and Beverages

Competitive Food and Beverages:  All foods and beverages sold or provided to students on the school campus during the school day should meet or exceed Federal regulations for school meal nutrition standards and the USDA Smart Snacks in School Nutrition Standards.  This includes school stores, food trucks parked on school property, and vending machines.  Food and beverages sold in school stores in high schools shall only be accessible to students before and after the school day and during the times that Food Services is not serving breakfast or lunch to students to encourage students to purchase balanced meals rather than snacks.  Vending contracts shall be bid per purchasing guidelines.  Contract specifications shall require Smart Snacks compliance.

Fundraising

Any fundraiser taking place on the school campus during the school day, including school stores, selling food and beverages during the school day, must meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards.  The Wellness Committee will provide a list of healthy fundraising ideas to students, families, and staff, including non-food fundraising ideas.  USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards.

Celebrations and Rewards

The DWC encourages the practice of “healthy celebrations” in our schools and buildings.  The Wellness Committee provides staff with the Healthy Classroom Snack List that includes healthy suggestions for classroom snack options, special event treats, and non-food celebration ideas.  Teachers, etc. are encouraged to share this information with their student’s families.  To check to see if your product meets the healthy snack list standards use the Smart Snack Calculator.

Foods and beverages should not be used as a reward, or withheld as punishment for any reason, such as for performance or behavior.

Food and Beverage Marketing in Schools

Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus during the school day will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards, such that only those foods that comply with or exceed those nutrition standards are permitted to be marketed or promoted to students.

Nutrition Promotion and Education

Nutrition promotion and education positively influences lifelong eating behaviors.  The District will model and encourage healthy eating by:

1. Promoting healthy food and beverage choices for all students by implementing Smarter Lunchroom techniques which help to guide the students toward healthful choices as well as ensuring that 100% of foods and beverages promoted to students meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
2. Promoting nutrition education activities that involve parents, guardians or caregivers, students and the community;
3. Encouraging and promoting wellness through social media, newsletters, and an annual family wellness event;
4. Encouraging participation in the Federal Child Nutrition Programs;
5. Ensuring that the marketing and advertising of foods and beverages on school campuses during the school day is consistent with nutrition education and health promotion;
6. Integrating nutrition education within the comprehensive health education curriculum and other instructional areas, as appropriate, and taught (when feasible) at every grade level, PK through 12.  Nutrition education follows applicable New York State Standards and is designed to help all students acquire;
7. Educating nutrition knowledge, including, but not limited to:  the benefits of healthy eating; essential nutrients; nutritional deficiencies; principles of healthy weight management; the use and misuse of dietary supplements; and safe food storage, handling, and preparation;
8. Educating nutrition-related skills, including, but not limited to:  planning healthy meals; understanding and using food labels; critically evaluating nutrition information, misinformation, and commercial food advertising; assessing personal eating habits; and setting and achieving goals related to these concepts;
9. Providing families and teachers with a list of healthy party ideas, including non-food celebration ideas.

Social and Emotional Climate

1. The DWC and Mental Wellness Committee will prioritize the cultivation of just and equitable learning environments, where each member of the school community is treated with dignity and respect, and experiences a sense of belonging, positivity and safety.
2. The District continues to establish and sustain a focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) as a process through which students develop the fundamental social and emotional skills for success in learning and life.  The SEL standards specify required knowledge and skills within the three power standards of 1) emotional management, 2) self-concept and 3) social competence.  The DWC and Mental Wellness Committee encourages teachers to integrate SEL curriculum and social emotional learning into all academic subjects.
3. The District will provide a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that integrates academic (literacy, math, science, social studies, etc.) and socio-emotional wellbeing (behavior, socio-emotional learning, mental health, heath/wellness) supports across all universal, targeted, and intensive levels.
4. The District will continue to offer support and consultation through counseling services in each school building.

Physical Education and Activity

1. Physical Education:  The District will provide a sequential physical education curriculum consistent with national and state standards for physical education to all students in grades PK-12.  All students will receive physical education instruction by a certified physical education teacher in frequencies that meet or exceed the requirements set by NYSED.  NYSED Physical Education Standards

To maximize the level of physical activity during a class period class size shall be considered.  Physical education instruction will provide students with learning opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become lifelong, physically active individuals.

All students will be provided equal opportunity to participate in physical education classes.  The District will make appropriate accommodations to allow for equitable participation for all students and will adapt physical education classes and equipment as necessary.  If a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) states a student requires significant modifications to the physical education curriculum, a student should receive specialized instruction in the least restrictive environment (LRE).  Instruction should be delivered by a licensed Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Teacher.

2. Wellness:  Supervised wellness shall be provided throughout the day for elementary school students.  All elementary schools will offer at least 20 minutes of wellness time on all regularly scheduled school days.  Minutes may be altered on school days with shortened schedules such as early dismissal and late arrival.
3. Classroom Physical Activity Breaks (Elementary and Secondary):  All classroom teachers, and particularly those engaged in the instruction of K through 5 students, are strongly encouraged to incorporate into the school day short breaks for students that include physical activity, especially after long periods of inactivity.  Teachers are encouraged to incorporate kinesthetic learning approaches into core learning subjects when possible to limit sedentary behavior during the school day.  Professional Learning in this area should be offered to teachers.
4. Before and After-School Activities:  The District will promote opportunities for students to participate in physical activity either before and/or after the school day, which include but not limited to athletics, school clubs and activities.
5. Equal Access to Physical Activity:  Physical activity during the school day will not be withheld as punishment for any reason.  Physical activity may include but not limited to recess, classroom physical activity breaks, outdoor education, or physical education classes.  Only with parent/guardian approval should students be withheld from recess for academics.

Active Transport

The District supports active transport to and from school, i.e. walking or biking.  The District will encourage this behavior by securing storage facilities for bicycles and equipment and instructing students on walking and bicycling safety.  The District strongly encourages the use of appropriate protective wear, such as helmets.

Professional Learning

When feasible, the District will offer annual professional learning opportunities and resources for staff to increase knowledge and skills about promoting healthy behaviors in the classroom and school (e.g., increasing the use of kinesthetic teaching approaches or incorporating nutrition lessons into math class).  Professional learning will help District staff understand the connections between academics and health and the ways in which health and wellness are integrated into ongoing district reform or academic improvement plans/efforts.

National School Lunch Act, 42 USC § 1758(b)

National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program regulations, 7 CFR § 210.11

Local School Wellness Policy Implementation Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010; 79 FR 10693

Education Law § 915

8 NYCRR § 135.4

NOTE:      

Refer to Policies:

#5660 -- School Food Service Program (Lunch and Breakfast)

#3270 -- Solicitation of Charitable Donations from School Children   

#5520 -- Extra-Classroom Activities Fund

#7430 -- Fundraising By Students 

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