The Wellness Policy is a new, nationally mandated policy that is being implemented in public schools across the country this year to combate the current obesity epidemic facing our children.
Here in Guilford County the school administration has put together the policy and procedures that will govern our students enrolled in the Guilford County School System.
I hope that you will read over this new policy and talk with your children about some of the changes they will be seeing and tasting in the cafeteria as well as in the classroom.
For more information on Guilford County Schools Wellness Policy you can contact your child's school administration or Guilford County Schools School
Nutrition Services at (336) 370-3266.
Links provided by EpiCourier.
Descriptor Term: STUDENT WELLNESS
Descriptor Code: IHB-P
Date Issued: May 25, 2006I. Guilford County Schools incorporates wellness into the curriculum consistent with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
Procedure:- In grades K-5, physical education teachers and classroom teachers shall utilize the most current Healthful Living Standard Course of Study. In grades 6-12, health and physical education teachers shall utilize the most current Healthful Living Standard Course of Study.
- In physical education courses, students will learn, practice and receive assessment on developmentally appropriate motor skills, social skills, and knowledge as defined in the North Carolina Healthful Living Standard Course of Study and receive support and guidance for being physically active. Classes shall be the same class size as other regular classes.
- All teachers are encouraged to incorporate nutrition and physical activity into other subject areas.
II. Guilford County Schools includes physical activity as an important part of education for students.
Procedure:- Structured physical activity shall not be taken away nor used as a form of punishment.
- In grades K-8, a minimum of 30 minutes a day of physical activity at a moderate to vigorous intensity level will be provided to support significant health benefit to students. This 30 minutes a day does not include the time needed for transition between classes or dressing out for class.
- Certified physical education teachers should be hired to implement the requirements of the Healthy Active Children Policy.
III. Staff wellness is emphasized in order to serve the entire school community.
Procedure:- Each school will maintain a staff wellness contact to serve as liaison for staff wellness activities.
- Guilford County Schools will plan and implement activities that support personal efforts by staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
IV.
The district requires well-planned and implemented school nutrition
practices, where every meal meets the criteria established by State and
Federal
authorities.
- All breakfast and lunch meals will meet minimum nutrition requirements established by local, state and federal statutes and regulations.
- To the greatest extent possible, once students are seated, they will be provided at least 10 minutes to eat breakfast and 20 minutes to eat lunch.
- Unless limited by facilities, lunch should be scheduled between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
V. The district focuses on safety in the preparation and storage of all consumable food.
Procedure:
- Guilford County Schools shall provide on-going Serve Safe training for all Child Nutrition Employees.
- Guilford County Schools will implement a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Plan in each school cafeteria.
- Foods from any source other than Environmental Health Services inspected facilities (i.e. stores or restaurants) shall not be served to students during snack time, celebrations (such as international theme days) or as rewards. This procedure does not apply to students who bring their lunch to school.
- Schools should discourage students from sharing their foods or beverages with one another during meal or snack times due to possible allergies or restrictions on some children’s diets.
- Schools shall provide students access to hand washing or hand sanitizing before each meal service or snacks.
- Foods from outside sources shall not be stored in cafeteria refrigeration.
VI. The district requires that all foods available on campus meet the goals of the Wellness Program.
Procedure:
- All snacks and beverages shall meet General Statutes Chapter 115C-264.2 and State Board of Education regulations (16 N.C.A.C.6H.0104) which states that no food of any kind may be sold by any source other than the Child Nutrition Program during breakfast and lunch until the last child is served the meal. Also included:
Elementary Schools- no soft drinks sold at any time; bottled water is available in every school that has beverage vending; no snack vending.
Middle Schools- caffeine-free, diet soft drinks and bottled water are available in every school that has beverage vending. Snack vending in all schools shall meet the Proficient Level of the NC Eat Smart Nutrition Standards. Seventy-five percent of snack vending products shall not have more than 200 calories per portion.
High Schools- caffeine-free, diet soft drinks and bottled water are available in every school that has beverage vending. Snack vending in all schools shall meet the Proficient Level of the NC Eat Smart Nutrition Standards. Seventy-five percent of snack vending products shall not have more than 200 calories per portion.
- Schools shall not use foods or beverages that do not meet Eat Smart Nutrition Standards as rewards for academic performance or good behavior or for celebrations.
- Food or beverages shall not be withheld as punishment.
- Students should be encouraged to bring healthy choices for snacks and avoid items high in fat, sugar and/or sodium.
- Schools are encouraged to use foods that meet the Eat Smart Standards when used for fund-raising activities.