Deerfield Community School District's Wellness Policies on Physical Activity and Nutrition

Deerfield Community School Wellness Policies on Nutrition and Physical Activity September 2006

Good nutrition and physical activity are two important influences on learning that school districts often overlook as they explore ways to improve schools. The connection between nutrition, physical activity, chronic disease, and learning is well established among scientists: inadequate food intake limits children’s ability to learn. Chronically undernourished children must use their energy for tasks in order of greatest importance: first, to maintain critical organ functions; second, for growth; and, last, for cognitive functioning and social interaction.

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention School Health Index, these are the facts:

About 20% of children and adolescents are now overweight. This percentage has doubled in the last twenty years. Overweight children are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high insulin levels. They are also more likely to become overweight adults, who are at risk for heart disease and diabetes.

Less than one in three children and adolescents meet dietary recommendations for limiting intake of saturated fat.

Less than one in five children and adolescents eats enough fruits and vegetables.

Less than one in five adolescent girls have an adequate intake of calcium.

Nearly half of young people aged 12-21 do not engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Regular physical activity helps to reduce fat and to build and maintain healthy bones and muscles.

Additionally, a broad range of research from a variety of disciplines concludes that:

skipping breakfast can affect children’s intellectual performance.

even moderate under-nutrition can have lasting effects on cognitive development.

children who are hungry are more likely to have behavioral, emotional, and academic problems at school.

The WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires every school to implement a wellness plan that addresses the components of physical and wellness activities, nutrition education and guidelines, school environment, and evaluation.

COMMITMENT TO HEALTH

The Deerfield School District is committed to providing school environments that first, protect children's health, well-being, and ability to learn, and, second, promote positive choices for healthy eating and physical activity. In keeping with this commitment, the district has created a wellness policy based upon the WIC Reauthorization Act. It is the policy of the Deerfield School District that:

all students, K-8, will have opportunities, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis.

foods and beverages sold or served at school will meet the district nutrition guidelines.

students will be provided with access to a variety of affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods that meet their health and nutrition needs.

schools will provide nutrition education and physical education, as identified in curriculum documents, to foster lifelong habits of healthy eating and physical activity,

the school will engage students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, health professionals, and interested community members in implementing, monitoring, and reviewing district-wide nutrition and physical activity policies. SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

The Deerfield School District endeavors to create a school environment that is conducive to healthy eating, good nutrition, and physically active lifestyles. Toward this end, the district will:

a. encourage parents to provide their children with foods and beverages that meet the nutrition guidelines adopted by the district. b. provide clean, safe, enjoyable meal environments for students and staff. c. provide minimum wait time for students to have access to meals by ensuring there are adequate serving areas and dining space d. provide adequate time for students to eat: 10 minutes for breakfast / snack; 20 minutes for lunch (from the time the student is seated). e. encourage teachers to provide recess before lunch for K– 6 so that children will come to lunch ready to eat. f. encourage students to drink water throughout the school day. g. discourage the use of food as a reward or punishment in all school settings. h. encourage school-sponsored events/ fundraising efforts to be supportive of healthy eating and to follow the district’s nutrition standards. i. endeavor to keep school facilities open outside school hours for students, staff and community members to engage in physical activity. This will be in accordance with the Building Use Policy. j. encourage all school personnel and community members to serve as positive role models by practicing healthy eating habits and participating in physically activity. k. encourage foods served at school celebrations and as part of classroom activities to be comprised primarily of a balance of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and dairy l. recognize that celebrations should take place after the lunch hour whenever possible.

NUTRITION EDUCATION

The Deerfield School District aims to teach, encourage, and support healthy eating by providing nutrition education that: a. is offered at each grade level as part of a sequential, comprehensive, standards-based program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health. b. attempts to integrate as part of the core curriculum in math, science, language arts, social studies and elective subjects, not just health courses. c. includes enjoyable, developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant, participatory activities. d. promotes fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, healthy food preparation methods, and health enhancing nutrition practices. e. emphasizes caloric balance between food intake and energy expenditure. f. links with school meal programs, other school foods, and nutrition-related community services. g. teaches media literacy with emphasis on food marketing. h. Involves students, teachers, parents and community. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Students need the knowledge, skills, experiences, and opportunities that allow them to fully embrace regular physical activity as a personal behavior. Therefore, the Deerfield School District will:

a. provide Physical Education classes based on a sequential curriculum that develops the skills and knowledge that model and promote life-long habits of physical activity. b. recognize that student involvement in other physical activities (e.g., interscholastic, intramural sports, or recess) is not a substitute for physical education classes. c. provide K – 6 students with supervised recess for at least 20 minutes a day to encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity. d. encourage and support learning environments that integrate physical activity into the academic curriculum and provide short activity breaks between lessons. e. will recommend that all students participate, on a daily basis, in recess and other physical activities, and encourage alternatives to the denial of recess as a form of discipline. Physical education classes do not replace recess. f. provide/support opportunities for all grade levels to engage in physical activity before and after school through programs such as intramurals, interscholastic athletics, and clubs. g. provide opportunities for staff members to be role models by engaging in physical activity. h. encourage parents to support and provide opportunities for their children's and their own participation in physical activity. i. support community initiatives for students to walk and bike safely within the community.

NUTRITION GUIDELINES

As a member of the New Hampshire Healthy Schools Coalition, the district has elected to adopt the recommendations of the AFHK (Action for Healthy Kids) Nutrition Guidelines. All food and beverages vended or provided to students before, during, and immediately after the regular school day in district schools and facilities will meet the following nutrition standards.

Food: Fat content: No more than 35% of calories will be derived from fat with the exception of nuts, nut butters, seeds, and cheese. Saturated and trans fat content total: No more than 10% of combined calories will be derived from saturated fat (0 trans fat). Sugar content: No more than 35% weight from added sugar will be allowed with the exception of fresh, dried or canned fruits and vegetables. Individual food items (ala carte, vending, and student stores): Shall not exceed 300 calories. Encourage the use of products that are high in fiber, low in sodium. Fruits and vegetables: Choice of two fresh fruits & vegetables will be offered for sale at any location on the school site where foods are sold

Beverages:

Water: No added sweeteners (natural or artificial) no added vitamins, caffeine, or herbal supplements. Fruit and/or vegetable juices: 100% fruit or vegetable juice only No added sweeteners (natural or artificial) No caffeine or herbal supplements Maximum: size 12 oz. Milk: 1% or fat free (skim) milk; enriched rice, nut or soymilk. Flavored milk may contain no more than 27grams of sugar total per 8 oz. Other: No carbonated beverages EVALUATION Assessments will be repeated every three years to help review policy compliance, assess progress, and determine areas in need of improvement.

The district will conduct a baseline assessment of the school's existing nutrition and physical activity environments and practices. The results of these assessments will be compiled to identify and prioritize needs.

The district will review the provision of an environment that supports healthy eating and physical activity and as necessary, revise the wellness policies and develop work plans to facilitate their implementation.

Developed by the Deerfield School Health Council, Fall 2005 - Spring 2006:

Tara Emmett health educator Mariane Robert parent/educator Karen Leavitt classroom teacher Tina Layton parent/registered dietitian Jen Jaquith physical educator Kathy Matthews classroom teacher Paula Duchano food service director Deb Campelia physical educator Louise Matteson school nurse Bonnie Beaubein school board member Debbie Boisvert technology coordinator Sylvia Miholovich parent Paul Yergeau principal Judy Bush community advisor Student body by survey Suzie Sherburne community advisor

Approved by School Board September 2006

http://www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org/WellnessPolicies.html#councils http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/aca/phys%20health.htm http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Healthy/wellnesspolicy.html http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/about.php