1. Purpose and Philosophy
1.1 Sevier School District (hereto referred to as the District) is committed to the optimal development of every student. The District believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental, and social success, we need to create positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year.
1.2 Research shows that two components, good nutrition and physical activity before, during, and after the school day, are strongly correlated with positive student outcomes. For example, student participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) School Breakfast Program is associated with higher grades and standardized test scores, lower absenteeism, and better performance on cognitive tasks. Conversely, less-than-adequate consumption of specific foods including fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, is associated with lower grades among students. In addition, students who are physically active through active transport to and from school, recess, physical activity breaks, high-quality physical education, and extracurricular activities – do better academically.
1.3 This policy outlines the District’s approach to ensuring environments and opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day while minimizing commercial distractions. Specifically, this policy establishes goals and procedures to ensure that:
1.3.1 Students in the District have access to healthy foods throughout the school day—both through reimbursable school meals.
1.3.2 Students receive quality nutrition education that helps them develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors;
1.3.3 Students have opportunities to be physically active.
1.3.4 Schools engage in nutrition and physical activity promotion and other activities that promote student wellness;
1.3.5 School staff are encouraged and supported to practice healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviors in and out of school;
1.3.6 The community is engaged in supporting the work of the District in creating continuity between school and other settings for students and staff to practice lifelong healthy habits; and
1.3.7 The District establishes and maintains an infrastructure for management, oversight, implementation, communication about, and monitoring of the policy and its established goals and objectives.
1.4 This policy applies to all students, staff, and schools in the District.
1.5 The District will coordinate the wellness policy with other aspects of school management, including the District’s School Improvement Plan, when appropriate.
1.6 NOTE: Will also include any relevant data or statistics from state or local sources supporting the need for establishing and achieving the goals in this policy.
2. School Wellness Committee
2.1 Committee Role and Membership
2.1.1 The District will convene a representative district wellness committee (hereto referred to as the DWC or work within an existing school health committee) that meets at least once per year to establish goals for and oversee school health and safety policies and programs, including development, implementation, and periodic review and update of this district-level wellness policy (heretofore referred as “wellness policy”).
2.1.2 The DWC membership will represent all school levels (elementary and secondary schools)
2.2 Leadership
2.2.1 The Superintendent or designee(s) will convene the DWC and facilitate development of and updates to the wellness policy, and will ensure each school’s compliance with the policy.
3. Wellness Policy Implementation, Monitoring, Accountability, and Community Engagement
3.1 Record Keeping
3.1.1 The District will retain records to document compliance with the requirements of the wellness policy at Sevier School District Office. Child Nutrition Services will maintain the following documents; The written policy, documentation of annual progress reports, documentation of the triennial assessment, and documentation demonstrating compliance with public notification requirements, including methods by which the wellness policy, annual progress reports, and triennial assessments are made available to the public, and efforts to actively notify families about the availability of the wellness policy.
3.1.2 This wellness policy and the progress reports can be found at:
https://www.seviersd.org/index.php/parentstudents/topstudent/196-3210-wellness-policy.html
3.2 Revisions and Updating the Policy
3.2.1 The DWC will update or modify the wellness policy based on the results of the annual progress reports and triennial assessments, and/or as District priorities change; community needs change; wellness goals are met; new health science, information, and technology emerges; and new Federal or state guidance or standards are issued. The wellness policy will be assessed and updated as indicated at least every three years, following the triennial assessment.
4. Nutrition
4.1 School Meals
4.1.1 Our school district is committed to serving healthy meals to children. We offer fruits, vegetables, fat free & low fat milk, and whole grains. Our meals have moderate sodium levels, are low in saturated fat and have zero grams of trans fat per serving. They also meet the nutrition needs of school children within their calorie requirements. The school meal programs aim to improve the diet and health of school children, help mitigate childhood obesity, model healthy eating to support the development of lifelong healthy eating patterns, and support healthy choices while accommodating cultural food preferences and special dietary needs.
4.1.2 All schools within the District participate in USDA child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) The District also operates additional nutrition-related programs and activities including Farm to School. All schools within the District are committed to offering school meals through the NSLP and SBP programs, and other applicable Federal child nutrition programs, that:
4.1.2.1 Are accessible to all students;
4.1.2.2 Are appealing and attractive to children;
4.1.2.3 Are served in clean and pleasant settings;
4.1.2.4 Meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established by local, state, and Federal statutes and regulations. (The District offers reimbursable school meals that meet USDA nutrition standards.)
4.1.2.5 Promote healthy food and beverage choices using at least ten of the following Smarter Lunchroom techniques:
4.1.2.5.1 Whole fruit options are displayed in attractive bowls or baskets (instead of chaffing dishes or hotel pans)
4.1.2.5.2 Sliced or cut fruit is available daily
4.1.2.5.3 Daily fruit options are displayed in a location in the line of sight and reach of students
4.1.2.5.4 All available vegetable options have been given creative or descriptive names
4.1.2.5.5 Daily vegetable options are bundled into all grab and go meals available to students
4.1.2.5.6 All staff members, especially those serving, have been trained to politely prompt students to select and consume the daily vegetable options with their meal
4.1.2.5.7 White milk is placed in front of other beverages in all coolers
4.1.2.5.8 Alternative entrée options (e.g., salad bar, yogurt parfaits, etc.) are highlighted on posters or signs within all service and dining areas
4.1.2.5.9 A reimbursable meal can be created in any service area available to students (e.g., salad bars, snack rooms, etc.)
4.1.2.5.10 Student surveys and taste testing opportunities are used to inform menu development, dining space decor, and promotional ideas
4.1.2.5.11 Student artwork is displayed in the service and/or dining areas
4.1.2.5.12 Daily announcements are used to promote and market menu options
4.2 Staff Qualifications and Professional Development
4.2.1 All school nutrition program directors, managers, and staff will meet or exceed hiring and annual continuing education/training requirements in the USDA professional standards for child nutrition professionals. These school nutrition personnel will refer to USDA’s Professional Standards for School Nutrition Standards website to search for training that meets their learning needs.
4.3 Water
4.3.1 To promote hydration, free and safe, unflavored drinking water will be available to all students throughout the school day* and throughout every school campus* (“school campus” and “school day” are defined in the glossary). The District will make drinking water available where school meals are served during mealtimes. In addition, students will be allowed to bring and carry (approved) water bottles filled with only water with them throughout the day.
4.3.1.1 Water cups/jugs will be available in the cafeteria if a drinking fountain is not present.
4.3.1.2 All water sources and containers will be maintained on a regular basis to ensure good hygiene standards. Such sources and containers may include drinking fountains, water jugs, hydration stations, water jets, and other methods for delivering drinking water.
4.4 Competitive Foods and Beverages
4.4.1 The District is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages available to students on the school campus* during the school day* support healthy eating. The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (i.e., “competitive” foods and beverages) will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, at a minimum.
4.5 Celebrations and Rewards
4.5.1 Schools should work with parent advisory councils and staff to reduce the use of foods or beverages that do not meet Federal regulations as rewards for performance or good behavior. The DWC encourages foods offered on campus to meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in school nutrition standards including through:
4.5.1.1 Celebrations and parties. The district will provide a list of healthy party ideas to parents and teachers, including non-food celebration ideas. Healthy party ideas from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and from the USDA.
4.5.1.2 Classroom snacks brought by parents. The District will provide to parents a list of foods and beverages that meet Smart Snacks nutrition standards; and
4.5.1.3 Rewards and incentives. The District will provide teachers and other relevant school staff a list of alternative ways to reward children. Foods and beverages will not be used as a reward, or withheld as punishment for any reason, such as for performance or behavior.
4.6 Fundraising
4.6.1 The District is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages available to students on the school campus during the school day support healthy eating. The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (i.e., “competitive” foods and beverages) may hold up to three 3) school-sponsored fundraisers a year that do not meet the USDA Smart Snacks in school nutrition standards. Such fundraisers must: 1) be specifically authorized by the District, and 2) last no longer than (5) consecutive days. The superintendent shall designate an individual to maintain records of fundraisers at which foods and beverages that do not meet competitive food standards are sold. R277-719-5.
4.6.2 Fundraising activities that take place outside of school, such as cookie dough or frozen pizza sales, are exempt from the USDA Smart Snack nutrition standards. Distribution of order forms not intended for consumption at school may continue. USDA Smart Snacks in School – Fundraisers.
4.6.3 Smart Snacks in School only applies to foods and beverages sold to students on the school campus during the school day. The nutrition standards do not apply to foods and beverages sold at events held after school, off campus, or on weekends, such as school plays or sporting events. USDA Smart Snacks in School- Fundraisers.
4.6.4 For purposes of this policy, “school day” means the period from the midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. R277-719-1.G.
4.7 Nutrition Promotion
4.7.1 Nutrition promotion and education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using evidence-based techniques and nutrition messages, and by creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and encourage participation in school meal programs. Students and staff will receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. Nutrition promotion also includes marketing and advertising nutritious foods and beverages to students and is most effective when implemented consistently through a comprehensive and multi-channel approach by school staff and teachers, parents, students, and the community.
4.7.2 The District will promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students throughout the school campus, as well as encourage participation in school meal programs. This promotion will occur through at least:
4.7.2.1 Implementing evidence-based healthy food promotion techniques through the school meal programs using Smarter Lunchroom techniques; and
4.7.2.2 Promoting foods and beverages that meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. Additional possible promotion techniques that the District and individual schools may use are available at www.healthiergeneration.org/smartsnacks.
4.8 Nutrition Education
4.8.1 Students will receive instructions with regard to the science of nutrition as outlined in the Utah State Core curriculum.
4.8.2 School cafeterias will model healthy meals by providing foods that meet nutrient standards and regulations as defined by the USDA.
4.8.3 Healthy lifestyle behaviors will be reinforced in the school environment. Teachers will be encouraged to offer non-food rewards and incentives to students. Schools will be encouraged to set limits for celebrations that involve food during the school day. Such celebrations should take place after lunch whenever possible.
4.9 Food and Beverage Marketing in Schools
4.9.1 School based marketing will be consistent with nutrition education and health promotion. As such, schools will limit food and beverage marketing to the promotion of food and beverages that meet the nutrition standards.
5. Physical Activity
5.1 All schools will make concerted efforts to provide as much physical exercise and movement as the curriculum will allow throughout the school day.
5.2 Daily Recess- All elementary schools will have at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess, preferably outdoors, during which schools should provide adequate space and equipment and encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity
5.3 Sevier School District understands that physical activity during the school day (including but not limited to recess, physical activity breaks, or physical education) has well recognized benefits for students’ personal and academic performance. For this reason, the practice of withholding a student’s recess in its entirety (for minor classroom behavioral infractions) is discouraged.
5.4 Community Partnerships
5.4.1 The District will develop, enhance, or continue relationships with community partners (i.e. hospitals, universities/colleges, local businesses, etc.) in support of this wellness policy’s implementation. Existing and new community partnerships and sponsorships will be evaluated to ensure that they are consistent with the wellness policy and its goals.
5.5 Community Health Promotion and Engagement
5.5.1 The District will promote to parents/caregivers, families, and the general community the benefits of and approaches for healthy eating and physical activity throughout the school year. Families will be informed and invited to participate in school-sponsored activities and will receive information about health promotion efforts.
5.5.2 As described in the “Community Involvement, Outreach, and Communications” subsection, the District will use electronic mechanisms (such as email or displaying notices on the district’s website), as well as non-electronic mechanisms, (such as newsletters, presentations to parents, or sending information home to parents), to ensure that all families are actively notified of opportunities to participate in school-sponsored activities and receive information about health promotion efforts.
5.6 Staff Wellness and Health Promotion
5.6.1 Schools in the District will implement strategies to support staff in actively promoting and modeling healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. Examples of strategies schools will use, as well as specific actions staff members can take, include joining the Fuel Up to Play 60, utilizing Team Nutrition Resources, and working closely with Cafeteria Staff and Child Nutrition Department. The District promotes staff member participation in health promotion programs and will support programs for staff members on healthy eating/weight management that are assessable, free or low cost.
5.7 Professional Learning
5.7.1 When feasible, the District will offer annual professional learning opportunities and resources for staff to increase knowledge and skills about promoting healthy behaviors in the classroom and school (e.g., increasing the use of kinesthetic teaching approaches or incorporating nutrition lessons into math class). Professional learning will help District staff understand the connections between academics and health and the ways in which health and wellness are integrated into ongoing district reform or academic improvement plans/efforts.
Approved: 06/17/2021
Revised: 10/12/2022