Health and Wellness Policy

Policy:  ADF - School Wellness

The Board promotes healthy schools by supporting student wellness, including good nutrition and regular physical activity as part of the total learning environment. Schools contribute to the basic health status of students by facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity. Improved health optimizes student performance potential and educational success, as children who eat well-balanced meals and are physically active are more likely to be engaged and learn in the classroom and less likely to be absent.

Goals

To further the Board´s beliefs stated above, the Board adopts the following goals:

Goal #1. The district will provide a comprehensive learning environment to promote the development and practice of lifelong wellness behaviors.

The entire school environment, not just the classroom, will be aligned with healthy school goals to positively influence a student´s understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to comprehensive wellness, including good nutrition and regular physical activity. Such learning environments will teach students to use appropriate resources and tools to make informed and educated decisions about lifelong healthy eating habits and beneficial physical activity, in accordance with the district´s academic standards for comprehensive health education and physical education.

Goal #2. The district will implement and promote nutrition education and proper dietary habits contributing to students´ health status and academic performance.

Nutrition education will be in accordance with the district´s academic standards for comprehensive health education. All foods and beverages sold or provided to students on the school campus during the school day shall meet or exceed the district´s nutrition standards. All schools participating in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Programs shall comply with state and federal rules or regulations regarding school meals, competitive food service and the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

Goal #3. The district will promote healthy nutrition choices to create and encourage a healthy learning environment.

In accordance with applicable federal law, schools participating in the National School Lunch and/or Breakfast Programs shall comply with the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards in the marketing of any foods or beverages sold to students during the school day.

Goal #4. The district will provide daily opportunities for students to engage in physical activity.

Physical activity will be included in a school´s daily education program from grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Physical activity includes regular instructional physical education, in accordance with the district´s academic standards for physical education, and opportunities throughout the school day, such as exercise programs, fitness breaks, recess, field trips that include physical activity and classroom activities that include physical activity.

Implementation and review

To help ensure each school´s compliance with and implementation of this policy´s goals, the Board designates the Superintendent as the district´s school wellness policy coordinator(s).

The district will establish and maintain a district-wide wellness advisory council. The council´s purposes will be to monitor the implementation of this policy, evaluate the district´s progress on this policy´s goals, serve as a resource to schools (i.e. provide lists of healthy incentives, snacks, etc.) and periodically review and update this policy in accordance with federal law. The council will meet on a yearly basis in September.

At least once every three years, the council shall assess this policy and its implementation, which shall include an assessment of each participating school´s compliance and progress with this policy´s goals. The council may recommend policy revisions for the Board´s consideration after conducting its triennial assessment and/or as the council deems appropriate or necessary.

Reporting and recordkeeping

The results of the council´s triennial assessments shall be made available to the public, along with a copy of this policy.

The district shall retain records to document compliance with this policy, including but not limited to documentation concerning the council´s triennial assessments.

Adopted: August 16, 2023

LEGAL REFS.:  Section 204 of P.L. 111-296 (Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010)

7 C.F.R. Parts 201, 210 and 220 (local school wellness policy requirements)

C.R.S 22-32-134.5 (healthy beverages requirement)

C.R.S 22-32-136 (policies to improve children´s nutrition and wellness)

C.R.S 22-32-136.3 (trans fat ban)

C.R.S 22-32-136.5(3)(a) and (b) (physical activity requirement)

1 CCR 301-79 (State Board of Education - healthy beverages rules)

CROSS REFS.:  EF, School Nutrition Program

EFC, Free and Reduced-Price Food Services

EFEA*, Nutritious Food Choices

IHAM and IHAM-R, Health and Family Life/Sex Education

IHAMA, Teaching About Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

JLJ*, Physical Activity