Wellness Policy
Policy 246 Student Wellness
Purpose
Kutztown Area School District and it's Coordinated Health Council recognize that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to all students’ physical well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. The Board is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment, students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement.
Authority
The Board adopts the Student Wellness Policy based on the recommendations of the appointed Wellness Committee and in accordance with federal and state laws.[1][8]
To ensure the health and well-being of all students, the Board establishes that the district shall provide to students:
A comprehensive nutrition program consistent with federal and state requirements.
Access at a reasonable cost to foods and beverages that meet established nutritional guidelines.
Physical education courses and opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day.
Curriculum and programs for grades K-12 that are designed to educate students about proper nutrition and lifelong physical activity, in accordance with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and academic standards.
Delegation of Responsibility
The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible to monitor district schools, programs, and curriculum to ensure compliance with this policy, related policies and established guidelines or administrative regulations.[8]
Each building principal or designee shall report to the Superintendent or designee regarding compliance in his/her school.
Staff members responsible for programs related to student wellness shall report to the Superintendent or designee regarding the status of such programs.
The Superintendent shall annually report to the Board on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The report may include:
Assessment of school environment regarding student wellness issues.
Evaluation of food services program.
Listing of activities and programs conducted to promote nutrition and physical activity.
Feedback received from district staff, students, parents/guardians, community members and the Wellness Committee.
The Superintendent or designee and the appointed Wellness Committee shall periodically conduct an assessment on the contents and implementation of this policy as part of a continuous improvement process to strengthen the policy and ensure implementation. The assessment shall include the extent to which district schools are in compliance with law and policies related to student wellness, and shall describe the progress made by the district in attaining the goals of this policy. The assessment shall be made available to the public.[8]
The district shall inform and update the public, including parents/guardians, students, and others in the community, about the contents and implementation of this policy.[8]
Guidelines
Wellness Committee
The Board shall appoint a Wellness Committee known as the Coordinated Health Council comprised of at least one (1) of each of the following: School Board member, district administrator, district food service representative, student, parent/guardian, member of the public, and other individuals chosen by the Board.
The district shall be required to permit physical education teachers and school health professionals to participate on the Wellness Committee.[8]
The Wellness Committee shall serve as an advisory committee regarding student health issues and shall be responsible for developing, implementing and periodically reviewing and updating a Student Wellness Policy that complies with law to recommend to the Board for adoption.
Nutrition Education
Nutrition education will be provided within the sequential, comprehensive health education program in accordance with State Board of Education curriculum regulations and the academic standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, and Family and Consumer Sciences.[2][3][4]
The goal of nutrition education is to teach, encourage and support healthy eating by students. Promoting student health and nutrition enhances readiness for learning and increases student achievement.
Nutrition education lessons and activities shall be age-appropriate.
Lifelong lifestyle balance shall be reinforced by linking nutrition education and physical activity.
Physical Activity
District schools shall strive to provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day for all students.
Age-appropriate physical activity opportunities, such as recess; before and after school; during lunch; clubs; intramurals; and interscholastic athletics, shall be provided to meet the needs and interests of all students, in addition to planned physical education.
Physical Education
A sequential physical education program consistent with curriculum regulations and Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards shall be developed and implemented. All district students must participate in physical education.[3][4][9]
Quality physical education instruction that promotes lifelong physical activity and provides instruction in the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participation shall be provided.
Safe and adequate equipment, facilities and resources shall be provided for physical education courses.
Physical education shall be taught by certified health and physical education teachers with opportunities
Other School-Based Activities
Drinking water shall be available and accessible to students, without restriction and at no cost to the student, at all meal periods and throughout the school day.[10][11]
District schools shall provide adequate space, as defined by the district, for eating and serving school meals.
Students shall be provided a clean and safe meal environment.
Nutrition professionals who meet criteria established by the district shall administer the school meal program.
Professional development shall be provided for district nutrition staff.
Access to the food service operation shall be limited to authorized staff.
Administrators, teachers, food service personnel, students, parents/guardians and community members shall be encouraged to serve as positive role models through district programs, communications, and outreach efforts.
Food Safety
Foods brought from home should be ready-to-eat.
External groups that use the school kitchen must do so under the supervision of Sanitation and Food Safety certified individual.
When external caterers are used, the safety of food purchased or prepared is the responsibility of the caterer.
KASD shall establish and maintain a HACCP program.
Use of kitchen facilities must be approved by the Food Service Supervisor.
Food safety education will be provided to all food service staff. Sanitation and Food Safety certification will be required of all Head Cooks and Kitchen Managers as well as the Food Service Supervisor.
Nutrition Standards/Guidelines
All foods available in district schools during the school day shall be offered to students with consideration for promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity.
Foods provided through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs shall comply with established federal nutrition standards. Competitive foods available to students in district schools outside of school meal programs shall comply with established federal nutrition standards and the Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools, as applicable.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
The district may impose additional restrictions on competitive foods, provided that the restrictions are not inconsistent with federal requirements.[15]
Exclusive competitive food and/or beverage contracts shall be approved by the Board, in accordance with provisions of law.[5]
Food Fundraiser & School Stores
Foods of minimal or no nutritional value, as specified by the USDA Title 7 of CFR, parts 210 and 220, will not be sold during the school day. (Refer to Administrative Regulations for more detail)[6][7]
Management of Food Allergies in District Schools
The district shall establish Board policy and administrative regulations to address food allergy management in district schools in order to:
Reduce and/or eliminate the likelihood of severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.
Ensure a rapid and effective response in case of a severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Protect the rights of student providing the, through necessary accommodations when required, the opportunity to participate fully in all school programs activities.
Safe Routes to School
The district shall cooperate with local municipalities, public safety agency, police departments, and community organizations to develop and maintain safe routes to school for all students.
District administrators shall seek and utilize available federal and state funding for safe routes to school, when appropriate.
Legal
1. 24 P.S. 1422.1
2. 24 P.S. 1513
3. Pol. 102
4. Pol. 105
5. 24 P.S. 504.1
6. 7 CFR Part 210
7. 7 CFR Part 220
8. 42 U.S.C. 1758b
9. 24 P.S. 1512.1
10. 7 CFR 210.10
11. 7 CFR 220.8
12. 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq
13. 42 U.S.C. 1773
14. 7 CFR 220.12a
15. 7 CFR 210.11
24 P.S. 1337.1
24 P.S. 1422
24 P.S. 1422.3
P.L. 111-296
Pol. 103
Pol. 808