Los Lunas Schools Wellness Policy

7.43 Wellness Policy

BACKGROUND

On June 30, 2004, the President signed Public Law 108-265, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. In Section 204 of this law it states that each local educational agency participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006.

Governor Richardson signed into law House Bill 61 in 2005. This Bill states that a rule will be adopted governing foods and beverages sold in all public schools to students outside of federal department of agriculture school meal programs. Rule [6.12.5.8 NMAC-N, 02-28-06]

STATEMENT OF POLICY

Los Lunas Schools supports promoting good health for all students. To that end we will support the following nutrition standards in our schools and ask all parents to support these standards as well.

School Health Advisory Council (Family, School and Community Involvement)

Definition:

Family, school and community involvement means an integrated family, school and community approach for enhancing the health and well-being of students by establishing a district school health advisory council that has the responsibility to make recommendations to the local school in the development or revision, implementation and evaluation of the wellness policy.

The family, school and community involvement component promotes long-term effective partnerships between families, schools, and communities in the planning and implementation of health promotion projects and events both within the school and throughout the community. The partnership can encourage and sustain environmental changes that support healthy lifestyles for children and their families.

Goal:

The goal of family, school and community involvement within a coordinated school health approach is to create a total school environment that is conducive to student health and academic achievement. There is a shared responsibility that supports healthy children and families. Effective partnerships between families, schools and communities support the development and maintenance of this comprehensive learning environment.

Activities:

1. A Health Advisory Council will be established and will consist of parent(s), school food authority personnel, school board member(s), school administrator(s), school staff, student(s), and community member(s).
2. The Wellness Director will serve as the Health Advisory Council Chairperson.
3. The council will have the responsibility of making recommendations to the local school board in the development, revision, implementation and evaluation of the school district wellness policy.
4. The school district Health Advisory Council will meet at a minimum once yearly to review and discuss the wellness policy and its effectiveness.
5. Schools are encouraged to participate in state surveillance projects used to gather information about student/staff wellness (e.g., BMI surveillance, Youth Risk and Resilient Survey).
6. Schools are encouraged to utilize the state wellness surveillance data to identify needs and inform wellness strategies.

Health Education Curriculum

Definition:

Health Education means the instructional program that provides the opportunity to motivate and assist all students to maintain and improve their health, prevent disease and reduce health-related risk behaviors. It allows students to develop and demonstrate increasingly sophisticated health-related knowledge, attitudes, skills and practices. It meets the content standards with benchmark and performance standards as set forth in 6.12.5.8 NMAC-N, 02-28-06.

Goal:

The Goal of a comprehensive health education curriculum within a coordinated school health approach is to acquire life skills in order to attain personal, family, community, consumer and environmental health.

Activities:

1. Implement the Los Lunas Schools standards-based health curriculum
2. Integrate wellness into other subject areas using health and physical education standards as a guideline.
3. Counselors, Social Workers and Psychologists of Los Lunas Schools will develop and implement a behavior health manual (model). The manual will be reviewed yearly.
4. Each school site will have a safety plan in effect by the beginning of each year.
5. The health advisory committee will plan to address wellness needs of district staff and will ensure an equitable work environment that meets the American with Disabilities Act Part III.
6. Healthy eating and physical activity will be actively promoted to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the community at PTO meetings, Open Houses, Health Fairs, teacher in-service days, etc.

Physical Activity

Definition:

Physical Activity means body movement of any type which includes recreational, fitness and sport activities.

Goal:

The goal of physical activity within the coordinated school health approach provides students with increased opportunities to engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity before, during and/ or after school.

1. Schools are encouraged to incorporate physical activity into class time (i.e. Minute, Take 10, etc.).
2. Schools, including staff, students, and community, are encouraged to participate in other healthy activities such as:
   1. Walking Clubs
   2. Jump Rope for Heart
   3. St. Jude’s Bike-a-thon
   4. Walk and Roll to School Day
   5. Zoo Runs
   6. Walking school buses
   7. Safe routes to school
3. Teachers and other school and community personnel shall not withhold physical activity (e.g. recess) or physical education class as punishment.

Nutrition

Definitions:

Nutrition means programs that provide access to a variety of nutritious and appealing meals that accommodate the health and nutrition needs of all students.
Nutrition Education aims to teach, encourage and support healthy eating by students. Nutrition Education and healthy eating will allow for proper physical growth, physical activity, brain development, ability to learn, emotional balance, a sense of well-being, obesity prevention and the ability to resist disease.

Goal:

The goal of nutrition is to promote the role of nutrition in academic performance and quality of life and to ensure the adoption of school policies which provide adequate nutrition opportunities.

Activities:

1. Implement the Los Lunas Schools standards-based health curriculum which is aligned with the New Mexico health education content standards with benchmarks and performance standards as set forth in 6.30.2.19 NMAC.
2. Los Lunas Schools fully supports locally grown foods for school meals through Farm to School Programs, or programs as such.
3. All schools will ensure water is readily available to students during the school day and support allowing students to have water bottles in class.
4. The school district supports and encourages the use of school property to promote nutrition, physical activity, and curricular and co-curricular activities through school gardens.
5. Schools will not use foods or beverages, especially those that do not meet the nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold individually, as rewards for academic performance or good behavior.
6. Schools will promote healthy food choices and will not permit advertising that promotes less nutritious food and beverage choices.

Nutrition Guidelines per 6.12.5.8 NMAC

All schools will offer reimbursable school breakfast and lunch that reflect the Dietary Guidelines and meet the most current USDA nutrition standards. Schools will plan meals that emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.

A. Elementary Schools

1. Beverages for students will be sold only after the last lunch period is completed and shall only include soy milk, milk with 2% fat or less and water. Milk and 100% fruit juice is available during breakfast and milk is available during lunch for purchase from the student nutrition program for students who bring their own lunch or would like an extra juice or milk.
2. Foods - No other foods will be sold to students during the school day outside the school breakfast and lunch program.
3. Classroom Snacks and Parties
   Foods that are encouraged for snacks and parties are:
   Fresh Fruit, Low Fat Yogurt, Fresh Vegetables (i.e. baby carrots), Low Fat Cottage Cheese, Low fat dips, Low Fat Pudding, Whole grain muffins, Low Fat Frozen Fruit Bars, Multigrain Bagel,  Almonds, Sunflower seeds etc., Rice Cakes, Bean Dip, Pretzels,  Nut Butters (check for allergies), Low fat crackers, granola bars, cereal bars,  Animal Crackers, 100 % fruit or vegetable juice,  String Cheese, Dried fruits with no added sugar,  Angel Food cake with fresh fruit, Salsa.

Have all students who are celebrating birthdays in the month celebrate together. Limit parties with cake and other sugary or high fat foods to less than once per month. Parents are encouraged to follow these guidelines when sending food to school for their students.

To ensure that only foods that have been prepared and held under safe food handling procedures “home cooked” potentially hazardous foods will NOT be allowed to be served to students during school hours. This does not apply to foods that a student brings from home for his or her own consumption (lunches, snacks).

B. Middle Schools

1. Beverages sold to students shall only include milk with no more than 2% fat, soy milk, water and 100% fruit juice with no added sweeteners and no more than 125 calories per container and a serving size not to exceed 20 oz. These beverages are allowed any time. Carbonated beverages are not to be sold or served to middle school students.
2. Foods sold to students may be sold after the last lunch period is over and must meet the following guidelines. No more than 200 calories or less per package or amount served with no more than 8 grams of fat per serving and 2 grams from saturated or trans fats and no more than 15 grams of sugar per package. Exceptions are nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt products, and fruit.
3. Classroom Snacks and Parties

Foods that are encouraged for snacks and parties are:
Fresh Fruit,  Low Fat Yogurt, Fresh Vegetables (i.e. baby carrots),  Low Fat Cottage Cheese, Low fat dips, Low Fat Pudding, Whole grain muffins, Low Fat Frozen Fruit Bars, Multigrain Bagel, Almonds, Sunflower seeds etc., Rice Cakes,  Bean Dip, Pretzels, Nut Butters (check for allergies), Low fat crackers, granola bars, cereal bars,  Animal Crackers, 100 % fruit or vegetable juice, String Cheese, Dried fruits with no added sugar,  Angel Food cake with fresh fruit,
Salsa

Have all students who are celebrating birthdays in the month celebrate together. Limit parties with cake and other sugary or high fat foods to less than once per month. Parents are encouraged to follow these guidelines when sending food to school for their students.

To ensure that only foods that have been prepared and held under safe food handling procedures “home cooked” potentially hazardous foods will NOT be allowed to be served to students during school hours. This does not apply to foods that a student brings from home for his or her own consumption (lunches, snacks).

C. High Schools

1. Beverages: The following may be sold or served throughout the day: Water; Milk with 2% fat or less, soy milk; 50% - 100% Fruit juice with no added sweeteners. The following may be sold only after the last lunch period.
   1. Sugar Free/ Caffeine Free soft drinks (must be both)
   2. Non-Carbonated flavored water with no added sweeteners
   3. Sports drinks
2. Food products sold to students any time during the day must meet the following guidelines. No more than 200 calories or less per package or amount served and no more than 8 grams of fat per serving and 2 grams of saturated or trans fats and no more than 15 grams of sugar per package. Exceptions are nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt products, and fruit.
3. A la carte offerings (a beverage or food sold in schools to students during the lunch period that is not part of the USDA school meal program).
   1. Beverages must meet requirements per grade level above.
   2. Entrees no more than 400 calories; and no more than 16 grams of fat (no
      more than 2 grams from saturated and Trans fats combined) and no more than 30 grams of total sugar. Exceptions are nuts, seeds, cheese, yogurt products and fruit.
4. Classroom Snacks and Parties –
   Foods that are encouraged for snacks and parties are:
   Fresh Fruit, Low Fat Yogurt, Fresh Vegetables (i.e. baby carrots), Low Fat Cottage Cheese, Low fat dips, Low Fat Pudding, Whole grain muffins, Low Fat Frozen Fruit Bars, Multigrain Bagel Almonds, Sunflower seeds etc., Rice Cakes, Bean Dip, Pretzels Nut Butters (check for allergies), Low fat crackers, granola bars, cereal bars, Animal Crackers, 100 % fruit or vegetable juice, String Cheese, Dried fruits with no added sugar,  Angel Food cake with fresh fruit, Salsa.

Have all students who are celebrating Birthdays in the month celebrate together. Limit parties with cake and other sugary or high fat foods to less than once per month. Parents are encouraged to follow these guidelines when sending food to school for their students.

To ensure that only foods that have been prepared and held under safe food handling procedures “home cooked” potentially hazardous foods will NOT be allowed to be served to students during school hours. This does not apply to foods that a student brings from home for his or her own consumption (lunches, snacks).

D. School Sponsored Fund Raisers

1. During School - must meet requirements as per grade level above.
   1. In order to support children’s health and school nutrition education efforts, school fundraising activities should use only foods that meet nutrition and portion size standards for foods and beverages sold individually.
   2. Schools will encourage fundraising activities that promote physical activity.
2. Before, and after school hours - shall offer at least 50 % of the total offerings from healthy choices as per the beverage and food paragraphs under the High School Section above. A comprehensive list can be obtained from New Mexico Public Education Department Coordinated School Health and Wellness Bureau.

Plan for Measuring Implementation of Wellness Policy

School site principals or their designee would be responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy at their school site. Evidence of compliance would include:

1. Form to be filled out yearly by the principal or designee reflecting current school conditions/practices as it relates to the above mentioned requirements.
2. Evidence of suggested activities occurring at the school site.

Forms will be turned into the Wellness Coordinator’s Office by the end of March each year for compliance review.

Staff Wellness

A school staff wellness initiative requires an environment that values, supports, and protects the well-being of teachers, staff and students; an organizational structure that incorporates policies, goals and objectives addressing school staff wellness and safety into the school and district culture.

1. Health promoting actions. The district shall disseminate information, build awareness, provide health education, and support health-promoting activities that focus on skill development and lifestyle behavior change for staff members.
2. Access to facilities. Staff is encouraged to utilize available facilities that meet employee wellness needs and interests.
3. Application of nutrition standards. The district shall encourage nutrition standards that apply to food and beverages, including those in vending machines available to staff members.
4. Tobacco /electronic cigarette use policies. All use of tobacco and/or electronic cigarettes referred to as e-cigarettes and all e-cigarette products are prohibited, including all buildings, facilities, school busses, indoor and outdoor spaces surrounding grounds, as well as parking lots by students, staff members and visitors shall be prohibited.
5. Safe social and physical environments. Social and physical environments shall be safe and supportive, supported by district expectations of health behaviors and implementation of policies that promote health and safety and reduce the risk of disease.
6. Integration of the staff wellness initiative. The staff wellness initiative shall be integrated into district and school culture and structure.
7. Linkage with other programs. Staff wellness initiatives shall be linked to related programs such as employee assistance programs, emergency care, and programs that help employees balance work and family life.
8. Worksite screening programs. The district shall offer worksite screenings linked to medical care to ensure follow up and appropriate treatment, as necessary.
9. Evaluation and improvement. The district shall conduct ongoing evaluations to inform the improvement of the staff wellness initiative’s effectiveness and efficiency.

Additional Information

Additional information concerning Public Education Department Policy, State Regulations and lists of recommended foods and beverages may be found at the Public Education Department’s website: New Mexico Public Education Department Coordinated School Health and Wellness Bureau.

ADOPTED: 7/25/06
REVISED: 8/26/14
LEGAL REFERENCES: 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq; 6.30.2.19 NMAC; 42 U.S.C.
1771 et seq; 6.12.5.8 NMAC-N, 02-28-06; 6.12.5.8 NMAC-N, 02-28-06;
LOS LUNAS BOARD OF EDUCATION:

Printable Polilcy in .pdf