The Red Oak Community School District’s Board of Education is committed to supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment. The school district supports a healthy environment where students learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. The board believes for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental, and social success, there needs to be a positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environment at every level., in every setting.
The school district provides a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors. The entire school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned with healthy school district goals to positively influence a student’s understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity. In accordance with the laws and this belief the board commits to the following:
The school district will identify at least one goal in each of the following areas:
· Nutrition Education and Promotion: schools will provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that helps students develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors
· Physical Activity: Schools will provide students with age and grade appropriate opportunities to engage in physical activity that meet the Iowa Healthy Kids Act.
· Other School Based Activities that Promote Wellness: As appropriate, schools will support students, staff, and parents’ efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The following nutritional guidelines for food available on school campuses will be adhered to:
· The meals served through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program will be appealing and meet, at a minimum, nutrition requirements established by state and federal law.
· Schools providing access to healthy foods outside the reimbursable meal programs before school, during school, and thirty minutes after school shall meet the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards, at a minimum. This includes such items as those sold through a la carte lines, vending machines, student run stores, and fundraising activities.
· Snacks provided to students during the school day without charge (class parties) will meet standards set by the district in accordance with law. The district will provide parents a list of foods and beverages that meet nutrition standards for classroom snacks and celebrations.
· Treats will be limited in the classrooms and students will get to choose other physical activities or games to play instead of bringing treats for celebrations (get ideas from Get Movin’ packet).
· Schools will only allow marketing and advertising of foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutritional standards on campus during the school day.
The superintendent or superintendent’s designee shall implement and ensure compliance with the policy by:
· Reviewing the policy at least every three years and recommending updates as appropriate for board approval.
· Implementing a process for permitting parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, administrators, and the public to participate in the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of the policy.
· Designate two staff members from each building to be advocates for our Wellness Committee and to help implement our policies in the District.
· Making the policy and updates assessment of the implementation available to the public (e.g., posting on the website, newsletters, etc.) This information shall include the extent to which the schools are in compliance with the policy and a description of the progress being made in attaining goals of the policy.
· Developing administrative regulations, which shall include specific wellness goals and indicators for measurement of progress consistent with law and district policy.
GOAL 1: Nutrition Education and Promotion: schools will provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that helps students develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors.
A) Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health;
B) Promote fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, and healthy foods;
GOAL 2: Physical Activity: Schools will provide students with age and grade appropriate opportunities to engage in physical activity that meet the Iowa Healthy Kids Act.
A) Promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and help students develop skills to engage in lifelong healthy habits;
B) Afford elementary students with recess according to the following: At least 20 minutes a day, outdoors as weather and time permits, and encourages moderate to vigorous physical activity;
C) Discourage all employees from using physical activity (e.g. running laps, pushups) or withholding opportunities for physical activity (e.g. recess, physical education) as punishment;
GOAL 3: Other School Based Activities that Promote Wellness: As appropriate, schools will support students, staff, and parents’ efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
A) Permit students to bring and carry water bottles filled with water throughout the day;
B) Promote wellness activities and opportunities during professional development;
C) Encourage opportunities for physical activities to be incorporated into lessons across all subject areas using the Get Movin’ Activity Breaks packet from the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Nutrition Network.
Approved August 27, 2018
Reviewed November 28, 2022
Revised November 28, 2022
Please note see full wellness policy and regulations on the Board of Directors Information Page
