Wellness Policy
By fall 2006, the federal government is requiring all school districts
that participate in the National School Lunch Program to have a Local
Wellness Policy in place. The MISD Wellness Policy was created with the
idea that good nutrition and physical activity are essential for students
to maximize their full academic potential and to achieve lifelong health
and well-being. Because many programs will be affected by this policy,
the 2006-2007 school year will be a transitional period during which provisions
in the policy will be researched, tested, and revised as appropriate.
Feedback on the policy is welcomed now, and throughout the school year.
Background information
MISD
Wellness Policy
Additional Resources on Nutrition, Physical Activity,
and Wellness
Please send your feedback to:
Wellness Committee
MISD Administration Bldg.
4160 86th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
Background
What must be covered in a Wellness Policy?
Federal law (Section 204 of Public Law 108-265) requires that a school
district’s Wellness Policy address:
• nutritional guidelines for all foods sold to students on each
school campus during the school day
• nutritional guidelines for all foods distributed by staff during
the school day
• goals for student nutrition education, physical activity, and
other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness
• a plan to implement, review, and evaluate Wellness Policy standards
and implementation
What is not covered in the Wellness Policy?
The policy does not cover foods that students bring to school, and
foods that are sold or provided after school hours (such as at evening
athletic events.)
Who wrote the policy?
In the spring of 2006, a Wellness Committee comprised of MISD parents,
students, staff, and community members researched and created the MISD
policy, which was passed by the School Board on June 22, 2006. The committee
seeks your feedback on this policy in effort to revise it into a policy
that will maximize our children’s potential and help them achieve
lifelong health and well-being.
When will the policy take effect?
The policy will take effect on September 5, 2006. However, because
many programs will be affected by this policy, the 2006-2007 school
year will be a transitional period during which provisions in the policy
will be researched, tested, and revised as appropriate.
How with the policy be implemented?
It will be the responsibility of each group, including food services
and school clubs, to adhere to the policy. Since the 2006-2007 school
year will be a transitional period, this time can be used to find and
try out healthy alternatives to foods and beverages that aren’t
allowed by the policy. Periodically, the District will conduct a school-by-school
assessment to monitor compliance. The District’s Food Service
Director will be responsible for reporting compliance annually.
Where can I send feedback?
Feedback can be sent to:
Wellness Committee
MISD Administration Bldg.
4160 86th Ave SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040
Additional Resources on Nutrition,
Physical Activity, and Wellness
Wellness
Healthy Schools in Washington has links to nutrition and physical fitness
policies recently adopted by school districts in Washington State in
response to Senate Bill 5436. http://depts.washington.edu/waschool/SDpolicies.html
The Center for Ecoliteracy is dedicated to education for sustainable
living. http://www.ecoliteracy.org/
National Association of State Boards of Education Healthy Schools Project’s
goal is to encourage safe, healthy, and nurturing school environments
for all of the nation's children and youth. http://www.nasbe.org/healthy_schools/intro.htm
USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 provide authoritative advice
for people two years and older about how good dietary habits can promote
health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. They serve as the
basis for Federal food and nutrition education programs. http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/
Washington State Nutrition & Physical Activity Plan provides a
framework in which policy makers can work together to build and support
environments that make it easier for Washington residents to choose
healthy foods and be physically active.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/CFH/NutritionPA/publications/npa_state_plan2.pdf
Action for Healthy Kids is a non-profit organization formed specifically
to address the epidemic of overweight, undernourished, and sedentary
youth by focusing on changes at school. They work to improve children’s
nutrition and increase physical activity, which will in turn improve
their readiness to learn. http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/Nutrition
American Dietetic Association offers timely, science-based food and
nutrition information. http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/index.html
The School Nutrition Association is a national, nonprofit professional
organization working to assure that all foods and beverages available
in schools are consistent with Dietary Guidelines for Americans. http://www.schoolnutrition.org/
Physical Activity
“Physical Fitness and Activity in Schools” is an article
published in the journal Pediatrics. http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;105/5/1156
Active Living Resource Center provides answers and resources to help
make walking and bicycling part of a community’s healthier lifestyle.
It provides the steps to take to make neighborhoods and community places
that encourage bicycling and walking, places where children can safely
play or walk to and from school. http://www.activelivingresources.org/
Safe Routes is a centralized resource of information on successful
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs and strategies. It provides information
on how to start and sustain a Safe Routes to School program, case studies
of successful programs as well as many other resources for training
and technical assistance. http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/
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