Thompson Public Schools

District Wellness Policy

Nutrition Education and Promotion

 

 

Student Nutrition Education

The Thompson Public School District has a comprehensive curriculum approach to nutrition in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, all preK-12 staff members will be encouraged to integrate nutritional themes from the Connecticut Department of Education Health Education Framework and/or the Connecticut Family and Consumer Sciences Framework into daily lessons when appropriate. The health benefits of good nutrition should be emphasized. These nutritional themes include, but are not limited to:

 

Knowledge of the Food Guide Pyramid                       Healthy heart choices

Sources and variety of foods                                      Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Diet and disease                                                          Healthy breakfast

Healthy snacks                                                            Understanding calories

Healthy beverages                                                      Food labels

Healthy diet                                                                 Multicultural influences

Major nutrients                                                            Proper food safety and sanitation

The importance of making good food choices Serving sizes

Identifying and limiting foods of low nutrient density

 

Parent Nutrition Education

• Nutrition education will be provided to parents beginning at the elementary level. The goal will be to continue to educate parents throughout middle and high school levels.
• Nutrition education may be provided in district or school newsletters, presentations that focus on nutritional value and healthy lifestyles, the district's website and through any other appropriate means available for reaching parents.
• Thompson Public Schools maintains the belief that the home/school/community communication link is vital to providing a well-rounded education to our students.

 

Staff Nutrition and Physical Activity Education

The Thompson Public Schools encourage all school staff members to improve their own personal health and wellness with the purpose of:

• Improving staff morale and well being
• Creating positive role modeling
• Building the commitment of staff members to promote the health of students
• Building the commitment of staff members to help improve the school nutrition and physical activity environment

 

Nutrition and physical activity education opportunities will be provided to all school staff members at the elementary, middle and high school levels. These educational opportunities may include, but not be limited to, the distribution of educational and informational materials and the arrangement of presentations and workshops that focus on nutritional value and healthy lifestyles, healthy assessments, fitness activities and other appropriate nutrition and physical activity related topics.

 

Physical Activity and Physical Education

 

The Thompson Board of Education intends that every student shall be physically educated-that is, shall develop the knowledge and skill necessary to perform a variety of physical activities, maintain physical fitness, regularly participate in physical activity, understand the short-term and long-term benefits of physical activity, and value and enjoy physical activity as an ongoing part of a healthful lifestyle. In addition, the staff is encouraged to participate in and model physical activity as a valuable part of daily life.

 

Therefore, it is desired that:

• Every student in grades pre-kindergarten through grade four participates in physical education for the entire school year, middle school students will participate at least half the year, and high school students will participate for at least eight quarters out of sixteen. Participation shall include students with disabling conditions and those in alternative education programs.
• The teaching and physical education staffs shall not order performance of physical activity as a form of discipline or punishment.
• Exemptions from physical education courses shall not be permitted on the basis of participation on an athletic team.
• School authorities develop schedules that provide time within every school day for preK through grade five students to enjoy supervised recess. Staff members shall not deny participation in recess or other physical activity as a form of discipline or punishment, nor should they cancel it for instructional time.
• The program shall make effective use of school and community resources and equitably serve the needs and interests of all students and staff members, taking into consideration differences of gender, cultural norms, physical and cognitive abilities, and fitness levels.

 

It is desired that the administration make use of in-service training sessions for both certified and non certified staff members to achieve the goals of this policy, and that full cooperation with community agencies be given whenever such cooperation can be advantageous to the students.

Nutrition Standards for School Foods and Beverages

 

The Thompson Public School district strongly encourages the sale and distribution of nutrient-dense foods for all school meals, functions and activities. This includes before- and after-school activities. Nutrient-dense foods are those foods that provide students with calories rich in the nutrient content needed to be healthy. In an effort to support the consumption of nutrient-dense foods in the school setting, the district has adopted the following nutrition standards governing the sale of food, beverage and candy on school grounds. Schools are encouraged to study these standards governing the sale of food, beverage and candy on school grounds.

 

Food Service Program

The Thompson Public Schools shall operate a food service program to ensure that all students have affordable access to the varied and nutritious foods they need to stay healthy and learn well. During each school day the school food service program shall offer breakfast and lunch, as well as snack items for students. Upon a physicianπs written request, modified meals shall be prepared for students with food allergies or other special food needs. Parents shall be notified about this option.

 

Nutritious Food Choice/Food Sales Guidelines

Nutritious and appealing foods, such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, and low-fat grain products, shall be available wherever and whenever food is sold or otherwise offered at Thompson Public Schools. The Thompson Public Schools shall take efforts to encourage students to make nutritious choices.

 

Food and beverages sold during the school day, or during the before and after school enrichment program shall meet nutritional standards and other guidelines set by the State of Connecticut. This includes:

• A la carte offerings in the food service program;
• Food and beverage choices in all vending machines, snack bars, and school stores; and
• Refreshments served at parties, celebrations, and meetings.

 

It is recognized that there may be rare special occasions when a school group may deviate from these Standards. In those rare instances, the staff member must notify the school principal and food service manager. In addition, occasions must be recorded and sent to the district wide wellness committee.

 

Parent sponsored out-of-school groups that offer food and/or beverages are required to include nutritional offerings at school related events.

 

Food and beverages sold as part of school-sponsored fundraising activities require prior approval by the school administrator.

 

Other School-Based Activities to Promote Student Wellness

 

The Thompson Public Schools believe that students eat more healthful food in an environment that provides enough time to eat and socialize.

 

Free and Reduced-Price Meals

The Thompson Public Schools shall make efforts to ensure that families are aware of need-based programs for free or reduced-price meals and those eligible families are encouraged to apply. Through the Point of Sale (POS) system, the program shall maintain the confidentiality of students and families applying for or receiving free or reduced-priced meals.

 

Surroundings for Eating/ Time and Scheduling of Meals

Students will be provided with a pleasant and safe environment for eating meals. In accordance with state law, a minimum of 20 minutes will be allowed for lunch. The consumption of soda is strongly discouraged. School dining areas will be periodically reviewed by building principals to ensure that the physical structure of the eating area is in good repair, seating is not overcrowded, noise is not allowed to become excessive, rules for safe behavior are consistently enforced, tables and floors are cleaned between meal periods and appropriate supervision is provided.

 

Financial Operation of Child Nutrition Programs

The food service program shall aim to be financially self-supporting. However, the program is an essential and support activity, and budget neutrality or profit generation must not take precedence over the nutritional need of students.

 

Qualifications/Training of Food Service Staff Members

All food service personnel shall have adequate pre-service training and regularly participate in professional development activities that address strategies for promoting healthy eating behavior, food safety, and other topics directly relevant to the employee's job duties.

 

Food Rewards and Punishment

School personnel shall not withhold food from students as punishment. Only nutritious foods shall be allowed as a performance incentive.

 

Staff Wellness

All Thompson Public School staff is encouraged to improve their own personal health and wellness. The district will strive to plan, establish and implement activities to promote physical activity among staff members and strive to provide opportunities for staff members to conveniently engage in regular physical exercise.

 

Communication and Promotion

 

The Thompson Public Schools believe that the promotion of consistent messages in the school environment reinforces the district's commitment to students' health.

 

Engaging Families

Families have a significant influence on helping children to develop healthy eating and physical activity habits. Parents need to understand the nutrition and physical activity issues that impact their children's health. Parents also need to ensure that healthy meals are served at home and brought to school, and they need to encourage their children to engage in healthy eating and regular physical activity. In order to promote family and community involvement in supporting and reinforcing nutrition education in the schools, the school will ensure that nutritional information is provided to parents and staff members through newsletters, publications, the district website, health fairs, and other activities focusing on, but not limited to:

• Healthy snack ideas
• Healthy lunch ideas
• Healthy breakfast ideas
• Nonfood birthday celebration ideas
• Calcium needs of children
• Healthy portion sizes
• Food label reading guidelines
• Fun activities to encourage increased physical activity inside and outside of school

 

Partnering with Community Organizations

Schools shall work with recreation agencies and other community organizations to coordinate and enhance opportunities available to students and staff members for physical activity during their out-of-school time.

 

Food Marketing in Schools

The Thompson Public Schools will not allow advertising that promotes less nutritious food and beverage choices. Marketing materials in the cafeteria and classrooms should support the concepts and practices described earlier in this policy, and in other district policies related to nutrition and physical activity. Therefore, the promotion of healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, shall be encouraged.

Measurement and Evaluation

 

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the school health program in promoting healthy eating and to implement program changes as necessary to increase its effectiveness, Thompson school administrators are responsible for ensuring that:

• Board policies regarding nutrition and physical education are implemented as written
• All nutrition education materials and curricula are consistent with state and local education goals and standards
• Teachers receive curriculum-specific training
• Families and community organizations are involved, to the extent practical, in nutrition education

 

Policy Review

The district wide wellness committee will review this policy after six months of initial implementation, and annually thereafter. Recommendations for changes will be made if necessary.