The board recognizes that childhood obesity has reached
epidemic levels in
Children who eat well-balanced meals and are healthy are more likely to learn in the classroom. The board supports increased emphasis on nutrition as well as physical activity at all grade levels to enhance the well-being of our district’s youth. Therefore, it is the policy of the board to:
A. Provide students access to nutritious food;
B. Provide opportunities for physical activity and developmentally appropriate exercise; and
C. Provide accurate information related to these topics.
The superintendent shall develop and implement a comprehensive district-wide nutrition program consistent with state and federal requirements for districts sponsoring the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. To implement the program, the superintendent shall adopt and implement a comprehensive curriculum on health, fitness and nutrition consistent with the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs). The curriculum will provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate instruction for grades K-12. The input of staff, students, parents and public health professions in the development of the curriculum is encouraged.
Nutrition, health and fitness topics shall be integrated within the sequential, comprehensive health education curriculum taught at every grade level, kindergarten through grade 12, and coordinated with the district’s nutrition and food services operation.
The district shall take a proactive effort to encourage students to make nutritious food choices. The superintendent shall ensure that:
A. A variety of healthy food choices are available whenever food is sold or served on district property or at district-sponsored events;
B. Schools shall regulate the sale or serving of foods or snacks high in fat, sodium or added sugars; and
C. Nutritious meals served by the school nutrition and food services operation complies with state and federal law.
The district shall provide school breakfasts and lunches
that meet the nutritional standards required by state and federal school
breakfast and lunch programs. By 2007, all reimbursable meals served in school
shall conform to the U.S. Dietary
Guidelines for Americans.
The superintendent shall establish rules for the sale of
food during the school day to encourage the eating of nutritious food. The
district shall offer and promote healthy choices at all grade levels. By 2007,
a la carte and all other competitive foods sold during the school day must
meet the requirements stated in Appendix A., and may be sold in lunchrooms, vending machines,
school stores, or snack bars.
Foods and
beverages of minimal nutritional value, as defined by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, shall not be sold or served on school premises, with the exception
of sports concessions.
Providing healthful or non-food options for fund raisers is strongly encouraged.
Food is not used
as a reward or punishment.
Schools
promote healthy food choices and don’t allow advertising that promotes foods of
minimal/limited nutritional value.
The district supports the philosophy of the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs and shall provide wholesome and nutritious meals for children in the district’s schools. The board authorizes the superintendent/designee to administer the food services program, provided that any decision to enter into a contract with a private food service agency shall require the approval of the board. Expenditures for food supplies shall not exceed the estimated revenues.
Because of the potential liability of the district, the food services program shall not accept donations of food other than as provided in this policy without the expressed approval of the board. Should the board approve a food donation, the superintendent/designee shall establish inspection and handling procedures for the food and determine that the provisions of all state and local laws have been met before selling the food as part of the school lunch menu.
Procedures should be put in place at each elementary school to ensure that students are less distracted and ready to eat. This may include scheduling recess before lunch, increasing supervision, providing adequate time to eat, etc.
The district shall provide free and reduced-price breakfasts, lunches and milk to students according to the terms of the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs and the laws and rules of the state. The district shall inform parents of the eligibility standards for free or reduced price meals. Reasonable efforts shall be made to protect the identity of students receiving such meals. A parent has the right to appeal any decision with respect to his/her application for free or reduced-price food services to the superintendent.
The district may provide free, nutritious meals to all children on test days, including students who do not qualify for free or reduced priced federal school meal benefits, however, the district is responsible for the cost of providing meals to students who are ineligible for free and reduced priced meals.
The board of directors may establish a program whereby school meals may be provided to anyone other than students of the district at the greatest price charged any student plus an amount representing the portion of the lunch cost paid for from local, state and federal assistance (cash and food).
The district shall use food commodities made available under the Federal Food Commodity Program for school menus.
The superintendent shall adopt and implement a comprehensive health and fitness curriculum consistent with the EALRs. The curriculum will provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate instruction for grades K-12. Evaluation procedures will utilize classroom-based assessments or other strategies and will be in place by the end of the 2008-2009 school year.
All students in grades one through eight are required to complete an average of one hundred instructional minutes per week of physical education. This includes instruction and practice in basic movement and fine motor skills, progressive physical fitness, and wellness activities through age-appropriate activities. All high school students are required to complete two credits of health and fitness. The district encourages all high schools to offer a variety of health and fitness classes for each grade in the high school.
Suitable adapted physical education shall be included as part of individual education plans for students with chronic health problems, other disabling conditions, or other special needs that preclude such student’s participation in regular physical education instruction or activities.
In addition to required physical education, students at the elementary level should have the opportunity to participate in daily recess and physical activity. The district shall provide daily recess period(s) for elementary school students, featuring time for unstructured but supervised active play. The district is encouraged to provide adequate co-curricular physical activity programs, including fully inclusive intramural programs and physical activity clubs; and to promote the use of school facilities for physical activity programs offered by the school and/or community-based organizations outside of school hours.
A. Fat-No more than 35% of calories from fat (not including nuts or seeds)
B. Saturated Fat-No more than 10% of its total calories from saturated fat
C. Sugar-No more than 35% added sugar by weight (except fresh, dried or canned fruits and vegetables)
D. No artificial sweeteners
E. Transfats – 0 grams per serving
Limit portions to specific sizes:
A. Snacks and Sweets: 1.25 oz
B. Cookies and cereal bars: 2 oz
C. Bakery items: 3 oz
D. Frozen desserts: 3 oz
E. Yogurt: 8 oz
A. Beverages that contain 100% fruit juice
B. Water
C. Low- fat and nonfat milk
A. 12 oz or less (no limit for water)
Cross References: Board Policy 2100 Instructional Program Offerings
Board Policy 4260 Use of School Facilities
Legal References: RCW 28A.230.040 Physical Education – Grades 1-8
28A.230.050 Physical Education in High School
28A.235 Surplus or Donated Food Commodities for School Hot Lunch Programs
28A.235.120 Lunchrooms — Establishment and operation — Personnel for — Agreement for
28A.235.130 Milk for children at school expense
28A.623.020 Nonprofit meal program for elderly — Authorized — Restrictions
69.04 Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Poisons
69.06.010 Food service worker permit
69.06.020 Permit exclusive and valid throughout state — Fee
69.06.030 Diseased persons — May not work —
Employer may not hire
69.06.050 Permit to be secured
within fourteen days from time of employment.
69.06.070 Limited duty permit
WAC 180-50-135 Physical Education – Grade school and high school requirement.
WAC 180-51-085 Physical Education Requirement-Excuse
7 CFR, Parts 210 and 220
7 CFR, Part 245.5
Adoption Date: July 2005
Revised: February 25, 2008