District Wellness Policy

Policy Adoption Date: 2/13/2012
Revised: 10/16/2024

The District is committed to providing a school environment that promotes and protects students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn, by fostering healthy eating and physical activity before, during, and after the school day. This wellness policy outlines the District’s approach to ensuring that there are opportunities for all students and personnel to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day. The District will work to ensure that all students and personnel across the District have equitable access to health and wellness efforts. This wellness policy applies to all students, personnel, and schools in the District.

Definitions

For the purpose of this wellness policy:

• “School campus” means all areas of property under the jurisdiction of the District that are accessible to students during the school day.
• “School day” means the period from the midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day.

Governance

District Wellness Committee

The District has established a wellness committee that meets at least 3 times per year to oversee and establish goals for school health and safety policies and programs, including the development, implementation, and periodic review and update of this District-level wellness policy. The District Wellness Committee will evaluate and make recommendations that reflect the specific needs of the District and its students. 

The District will actively seek members for the District Wellness Committee through the use of email, newsletters, the District’s website, the District’s social media page(s), and/or advertisements.

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

• Parents and caregivers, including leaders from different parent organizations;
• Students;
• Physical Education teachers;
• School health professionals;
• Specialized instructional support personnel such as school counselors, psychologists, or social workers;
• District food service program representatives;
• School Board;
• Community health professionals such as dieticians, doctors, nurses, or dentists;
• School administrators;
• General Education teachers;
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-ED) coordinators; and
• The general public

District Wellness Leadership

The following District official is responsible for the implementation and oversight of this District Level wellness policy: School Business Executive

The contact information for this individual is: njock@srkl2.org 

This individual will be referred to as District Wellness Coordinator throughout this wellness policy. 
The District Wellness Coordinator will convene the District Wellness Committee, facilitate the development of and updates to this wellness policy, and serve as a liaison with community agencies. The District Wellness Coordinator will also work to ensure each school’s compliance with this wellness policy.

Building-Level Wellness Teams

The District encourages individual buildings within the District to establish an ongoing building level wellness committee that supports the implementation of this policy and the efforts of the District Wellness Committee.

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Wellness Policy Implementation, Monitoring, and Accountability

The District will develop and maintain an implementation plan to manage and coordinate the execution of this wellness policy. The plan delineates roles, responsibilities, actions, and timelines specific to each school. It also includes 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 activity, physical education, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. In developing these goals, the District will review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques.

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:

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

The following District official is responsible for managing the District’s triennial assessment:

Food Service Director 

The contact information for this individual is: 

nfoster@srk12.org 

The District will notify the public of the availability of the triennial assessment results.

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.

School Meals

All schools within the District participate in the following federal Child Nutrition Programs: National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The District also operates additional nutrition-related programs and activities such as Grab and Go Breakfast for the Grades 6-12. All schools within the District are committed to offering school meals through the NSLP and SBP programs. All school meals will meet or exceed nutrition requirements established by local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

In addition:

• Meal Modifications
  School meals will be accessible to all students, and the District will accommodate special dietary needs and food allergies as required by law and regulation. This includes making meal modifications, including substitutions for lunches and after-school snacks, for students with a disability whose disability restricts their diet. Any meal modification requested must be related to the disability or limitations caused by the disability and will be offered at no additional cost to the student. The District will notify parents of the procedures for requesting meal modifications for students with disabilities and the process of procedural safeguards related to meal modifications for disabilities.
• Qualified Nutrition Professionals
  School meals will be administered by a team of qualified nutrition professionals who meet or exceed the hiring and annual continuing education/training requirements of the USDA Professional Standards for Child Nutrition Professionals.
• Unpaid Meal Charges
  The District is committed to ensuring that a student whose parent/guardian has unpaid meal charges is not shamed or treated differently than a student whose parent/guardian does not have unpaid meal charges. The District has established procedures to address unpaid meal charges throughout the District in a way that does not stigmatize, distress, or embarrass students.

The District also operates additional nutrition-related programs and activities, including: Farm to Schools; Breakfast After the Bell.

The District promotes student health and aims to reduce childhood obesity by:

• Promoting student participation in Child Nutrition Programs and working to ensure that families are aware of what programs are available in the District and how to access those programs;
• Ensuring all students have a scheduled lunch period and that they are served lunch at a reasonable and appropriate time of day;
• When applicable, serving breakfast to students using a variety of service models to increase participation, such as “grab and go” breakfast or breakfast served in the classrooms.
• Providing all students with adequate time to eat meals, meaning that, when applicable, students will be allowed at least ten minutes to eat breakfast and at least 20 minutes to eat lunch, counting from the time they have received their meal and are seated;
• Promoting healthy food and beverage choices;
• Offering a variety of foods and beverages that are appealing and attractive to students;
• Serving meals in clean and inviting settings;
• Having lunch follow the recess period to better support learning and healthy eating;
• Posting menus on the District website and including nutrient content and ingredients;
• When feasible, purchasing, promoting, and serving fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods from local farmers; and
• Not serving food and beverages where natural sugar has been replaced with high-intensity sweeteners or non-nutritive sweeteners.

Child Nutrition Programs aim to improve the diet and health of students, 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.

District food service personnel will meet with students in grades 4 through 12 twice annually to solicit feedback on the school breakfast and/or school lunch program(s).

Water

To promote hydration, free, safe, unflavored drinking water will be available to all students and personnel throughout the school day and throughout every school campus. The District will make drinking water available where school meals are served during meal times.

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Foods and Beverages Provided, But Not Sold, to Students During the School Day 

The District is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages available to students on the school campus during the school day support healthy eating. The foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students on the school campus during the school day ( e.g., classroom parties, classroom snacks brought by parents, or other foods given as incentives) will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards including through:

1. Celebrations and parties. The district will provide a list of healthy party ideas to parents and teachers, including non-food celebration ideas. Healthy party ideas are available from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and from the USDA.
2. Snacks provided by parents for the entire class. The District will provide to parents a list of foods and beverages that meet Smart Snacks nutrition standards.
3. Rewards and incentives. The District will provide teachers and other relevant school staff a list of alternative ways to reward children. Foods and beverages will not be used as a reward, or withheld as punishment for any reason, such as for performance or behavior.

All snacks must be free of peanuts and in original pre-packaged container with nutritional label attached.

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Competitive Foods and Beverages

All competitive foods will meet, at a minimum, the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. The Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards aim to improve student health and well-being, increase consumption of healthful foods during the school day and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits. These standards will apply in all locations and through all services where foods and beverages are sold, which may include, but are not limited to, a la carte options in cafeterias, vending machines, school stores and snack or food carts. A list of acceptable products is found at the end of this document. 

Competitive foods include all food and beverages available for sale to students on the school campus during the school day other than offered through the Child Nutrition Programs. This includes, but is not limited to, a la carte options in cafeterias, vending machines, school stores, and snack or food carts. 

The USDA defines “school day” as the time between midnight the night before to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day. The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (e.g., “competitive” foods and beverages) will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, at a minimum. Smart Snacks aim to improve student health and well-being, increase consumption of healthful foods during the school day and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits. A summary of the standards and information, as well as a Guide to Smart Snacks in Schools are available at: https://fns.usda.gov/tn/guide-smart-snacks-school. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation provides a set of tools to assist with the implementation of Smart Snacks available at http://foodplanner.healthiergeneration.org.

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Fundraising

The District requires that all foods and beverages available for sale to students through fundraisers on the school campus during the school day will meet, at a minimum, the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. The District encourages the use of fundraisers that promote physical activity ( e.g., walk-a-thons, Jump Rope for Heart or fun runs).

School fundraisers conducted outside of the school day will be strongly encouraged to sell only non-food items or foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

The District will provide to any individual or group conducting a school fundraiser the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, as well as a list of healthy fundraising ideas.

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Food and Beverages Marketing in Schools

All foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus during the school day will meet, at a minimum, the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. Food marketing commonly includes oral, written, or graphic statements made for the purpose of promoting the sale of a food or beverage product. The marketing of products that do not meet USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, in any and all of the following ways, is prohibited:

• On the product itself;
• On vending machines;
• In educational materials, including textbooks;
• In advertisements in District publications and District mailings;
• During broadcasts on District radio stations and in-school television;
• Through digital media, such as computer screensavers;
• Through District-operated or District-sponsored websites and servers; and
• Through the District’s public announcement system.

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Nutrition Promotion and Education

Nutrition promotion and education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using evidence based techniques and nutrition messages, and by creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and encourage participation in school meal programs. Students and staff will receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. Nutrition promotion also includes marketing and advertising nutritious foods and beverages to students and is most effective when implemented consistently through a comprehensive and multi-channel approach by school staff, teachers, parents, students and the community.

The District will promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students throughout the school campus, as well as encourage participation in school meal programs. This promotion will occur through at least:

• Promoting healthy food and beverage choices for all students by using Smarter Lunchroom techniques which guide students toward healthful choices, as well as by ensuring that 100%of foods and beverages promoted to students meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards;
• Cultivating a school environment that promotes a healthy body image, shape, and size among students and personnel;
• Encouraging and promoting food purchases from local vendors and advertising local farmers markets to families;

Promoting nutrition education activities that involve parents, students, and the community;

• Promoting school and community awareness of this wellness policy through various means, such as publication on the District website;
• Encouraging and promoting wellness through social media, newsletters, and an annual family wellness event;
• 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;
• Integrating nutrition education within the comprehensive health education curriculum and other instructional areas, as appropriate, and taught at every grade level, K through 12. Nutrition education follows applicable New York State standards and is designed to help students acquire:
  • 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; and
  • 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;
• Providing families and teachers with a list of healthy party ideas, including non-food celebration ideas;
• Providing families with a list of classroom snacks and beverages that meet USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards;
• Discouraging personnel from using food as a reward or withholding food as punishment under any circumstance – teachers and other appropriate school personnel will be provided with a list of alternative ways to reward students; and
• Encouraging District personnel to model healthy eating, drinking, and physical activity behaviors for students.

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Physical Activity and Education

Physical Activity

Since physical activity affects students’ emotional and physical well-being, as well as their cognitive development, the District is committed to ensuring that all students, including students with disabilities requiring adaptations or modifications, are provided the opportunity to participate in physical activity before, during, and after school. Physical activity opportunities will be in addition to, not in lieu of, physical education.

Recess, physical education, or other physical activity time will not be canceled for instructional make-up time, nor will it be withheld for disciplinary action unless the student is a danger to themselves or others. This does not include participation on sport teams that may have specific academic requirements. Classroom teachers will be provided with a list of ideas for alternative ways to discipline students.

The District is committed to encouraging physical activity through the following:

• 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.
• Recess (Elementary)
  All elementary students will be offered one daily period of recess for a minimum of 20 minutes. This requirement will not apply on days where students arrive late, leave early, or are otherwise on campus for less than a full day. Outdoor recess will be offered when weather permits. In the event that indoor recess is necessary, it will be offered in a place that accommodates moderate to vigorous physical activity.
• Active Academics
  Teachers are encouraged to incorporate kinesthetic learning approaches into core learning subjects when possible to limit sedentary behavior during the school day.
• Before and After School Activities
  The District will offer opportunities for all students to participate in physical activity before and/or after the school day through various methods, such as physical activity clubs, intramurals, and interscholastic sports.
• Active Transport
  The District supports active transport to and from school, i.e. walking or biking through programs such as Safe Routes to School. 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.
• Family and Community Engagement
  Parents and family members are encouraged to participate in evening or weekend events involving physical activity.

Physical Education

The District will have a Board-approved Physical Education Plan on file with the New York State Education Department that meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in the Commissioner’s regulations. All students will be required to fulfill the physical education requirements set forth in the Commissioner’s regulations as a condition of graduating from the District’s schools. 

The District recognizes the importance of physical education classes in providing students with meaningful opportunities for physical exercise and development. Consequently, the District will ensure that:

• All physical education classes are taught or supervised by a certified physical education teacher;
• All physical education personnel receive professional development relevant to physical education on an annual basis;
• Interscholastic sports, intramural sports, and recess do not serve as substitutes for a quality physical education program;
• Students are afforded the opportunity to participate in moderate to vigorous activity for at least 50% of physical education class time.
• It provides adequate space and equipment for physical education and conforms to all applicable safety standards;
• An age-appropriate, sequential physical education curriculum consistent with national and state standards for physical education is implemented, with a focus on students’ development of motor skills, movement forms, and health-related fitness;
• A physical and social environment is provided that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students; and
• Activities or equipment are adapted or modified to meet the needs of students who are temporarily or permanently unable to participate in the regular program of physical education. In doing so, the District will abide by specific provisions in 504 Plans and/or individualized education programs (IEP). To that end, the Committee on Special Education (CSE) will ensure that a certified physical education teacher participates in the development of a student’s IEP, if the student may be eligible for adapted physical education.

All District elementary students in each grade will receive physical education for at least 60-89 minutes per week throughout the school year.

All Salmon River CSD secondary students (middle and high school) are required to take the equivalent of two academic years of physical education. 

Waivers, exemptions, or substitutions for physical education classes are not granted.

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Other School-Based Activities that Promote Student Wellness

The District will integrate wellness activities across the entire school setting, not just in the cafeteria, other food and beverage venues and physical activity facilities. The District will coordinate and integrate other initiatives related to physical activity, physical education, nutrition and other wellness components so all efforts are complementary, not duplicative, and work towards the same set of goals and objectives promoting student well-being, optimal development and strong educational outcomes. 

Schools in the District are encouraged to coordinate content across curricular areas that promote student health, such as teaching nutrition concepts in mathematics, with consultation provided by either the school or the District’s curriculum experts.

All efforts related to obtaining federal, state or association recognition for efforts, or grants/funding opportunities for healthy school environments will be coordinated with and complementary of the wellness policy, including but not limited to ensuring the involvement of the DWC/SWC.

All school-sponsored events during the school day* will adhere to the wellness policy guidelines. All school-sponsored wellness events will include physical activity and healthy eating opportunities when appropriate. 

Community Partnerships

The District will continue relationships with community partners ( e.g., hospitals, universities/colleges, local businesses, SNAP-Ed providers and coordinators, etc.) in support of this wellness policy’s implementation. Existing and new community partnerships and sponsorships will be evaluated to ensure that they are consistent with the wellness policy and its goals. 
The District will provide resources and links to resources, tools, and technology with ideas for classroom physical activity breaks. Resources and ideas are available through USDA and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Community Access to District Facilities for Physical Activities

School grounds and facilities will be made available to students, personnel, community members and organizations, and agencies offering physical activity and nutrition programs consistent with District policy. Subject to provisions regarding conduct on school grounds and administrative approval of use by outside organizations.

Professional Learning, Awareness, and Support

All school nutrition program directors, managers, and personnel will meet or exceed hiring and annual continuing education and training requirements as specified in the USDA Professional Standards for School Nutrition Professionals. In order to locate the training that best fits their learning needs, school nutrition personnel will refer to the USDA’s Professional Standards for School Nutrition Standards website.

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

Personnel Wellness

To promote a healthy and productive environment, the District will promote personnel wellness. Promoting personnel wellness can lead to enhanced productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lowered healthcare costs.

The District Wellness Committee, in collaboration with community partners, will promote wellness through various initiatives and activities tailored to enhance personnel well-being. The specific offerings may change annually, providing flexibility to adapt to new trends and needs.

District personnel, including teachers, often serve as important role models for student well-being. By focusing on personnel wellness, the District aims to create a positive ripple effect, benefiting both personnel and students.

The District is committed to being responsive to community input, which begins with an awareness of this wellness policy. On an annual basis, the District will make this wellness policy available to families and the public. The District will also annually inform families and the public, in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways, of its content and implementation status, as well as any updates to this wellness policy. The District will make this information available via the District website and/or District-wide communications. The District will use these same means to inform families and the public about the results of the triennial assessment. The results of the triennial assessment will be made available in an easily understood format. 

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 leading and coordinating the District Wellness Committee, as well as information on how the community may get involved with the District Wellness Committee.

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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:

• The written wellness policy;
• Documentation demonstrating that this wellness policy has been made available to the public;
• Documentation of efforts to review and update this wellness policy, including an indication of who is involved in the update and methods the District uses to make stakeholders aware of their ability to participate on the District Wellness Committee;
• Documentation demonstrating compliance with the annual public notification requirements;
• The most recent triennial assessment on the implementation of this wellness policy; and
• Documentation demonstrating that the most recent triennial assessment results have been made available to the public.

42 USC Sections 1758, and 1758b 

7 CPR Sections 210.10, 210.11, 210.31, and 220.8 Education Law Section 915 

8 NYCRR Section 135.4 

NOTE: Refer also to Policy #5660 — Meal Charging and Prohibition Against Meal Shaming

#7550 — Dignity for All Students #8240 — Instruction in Certain Subjects

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