Wellness Policy, No. 533.5
I. PURPOSE The Anoka-Hennepin School District is committed to promoting and protecting students’ health, well-being and ability to learn. Thus, Anoka- Hennepin School District supports healthy eating and healthy physical activity. It strives to provide a healthy school nutrition environment which
This policy defines guidelines that the district follows to provide healthy food and a healthful environment for students and staff. Also included are guidelines for the contents of vending machines and wellness topics in the curriculum.
is conducive to good learning. These efforts also contribute positively to a reduction in childhood obesity and diet related chronic disease. II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY By working toward the following goals, Anoka-Hennepin School District supports the evidence based link between health wellness and improved educational outcomes of Anoka-Hennepin School District students.
A. Food and beverages sold or served at school will meet the nutrition recommendations of the U. S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
B. Students will have access to a variety of affordable, nutritious, and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students; will accommodate the religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the student body in meal planning; and will provide clean, safe and pleasant settings with adequate time for students to eat. School stores and snack vending machines will offer snacks that follow the same state and federal regulations as the Child Nutrition Program for nutrient content. C. To the maximum extent practicable, all schools will participate in available federal school meal programs( including the School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program [ including after-school snacks ], Summer Food Service Program, Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program [ including suppers ]).
D. Schools will provide nutrition promotion, nutrition education and physical education to foster lifelong habits of healthy eating and physical activity. Schools will establish connections between health education, school meal programs and related community services.
E. All students will have opportunities, support and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis.
F. Each school will have a School Health, Wellness and Safety Committee. The committee will assist the district Health, Wellness and Safety Committee in meeting the implementing, monitoring and reporting requirements of this policy. School / Site administrators will meet with the committee at least two times per year to discuss wellness issues at their school. G. Staff will work with legislators to fund issues that address the nutritional needs of the student during the school day.
H. A Student Wellness page will be established on the district / school website to publicize opportunities in the area of nutrition and physical activity throughout the district. The Wellness Policy was designed by the Wellness Task Force which is a subcommittee of the Health, Wellness and Safety Committee. The Wellness Task Force strives to include persons from the schools and community including parents, students, representatives from Child Nutrition, Health Service, Community Education, curriculum directors, members of the School Board, school administration, teachers, health professionals and members of the public. The Health, Wellness and Safety Committee shall continue to develop, implement, monitor, review, and recommend revisions regarding the Wellness Policy. The Health, Wellness and Safety Committee will also serve as a resource to school sites for implementation of the policy.( In the Child WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, the U. S. Congress per
Public Law 108-265 instructed schools to establish a school wellness policy. Anoka-Hennepin has established a policy for public schools in our district.) III. NUTRITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES
A. Food Environment
1. Students will be encouraged to start each day with a healthy breakfast since children who come to school hungry may find it difficult to stay alert and learn. If a full breakfast program is not feasible, schools will have healthy breakfast items available that students can purchase on campus in school stores or vending machines. 2. It is a goal that bus schedules and morning breaks should be coordinated to allow students ample time before class to eat breakfast if they haven’ t eaten at home.
3. Lunch periods will be scheduled as near the middle of the school day as possible.
4. It is a goal to provide students sufficient time to eat during meal periods with at least 10 minutes for breakfast and 20 minutes for lunch from the time the student is seated.
5. It is a goal to provide dining areas that will be attractive and include enough seating areas to accommodate all students who would like to sit and eat lunch, as well as, enough serving areas so that students do not have to spend too much time waiting in line.
6. Hand-washing facilities will be available for students and they will be reminded to wash their hands before meals( to prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of illness).
7. Drinking water will be available for students. B. Food Service Operations
1. Anoka-Hennepin School District will develop a coordinated and comprehensive outreach, promotion and pricing plan to ensure maximum participation in the school meal program and will make certain that all eligible children that qualify receive free and reduced-price meals.
2. Schools will ensure that students eligible to receive free or reduced price meals and milk are not treated differently from other students nor are they easily identified by their peers.
3. Anoka-Hennepin School District will employ a food service director who is properly qualified, certified and / or credentialed according to professional standards to administer the school food service program and satisfy reporting requirements.
4. All child nutrition personnel will have adequate pre-service training, participate in ongoing professional development and strive to hold a state issued or equivalent training certificate.
5. The Child Nutrition Program will adopt methods of cooking that decrease fat, calorie and sodium levels in food.
6. Anoka-Hennepin School District will plan menus that will meet the nutrition standards recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and ensure that the school meals program meets all requirements set forth under U. S. D. A. 7 CFR Part 210 and Part 220.
7. Anoka-Hennepin School District will involve families and community organizations in the development of programs to provide school meal options that are culturally sensitive and meet special dietary needs.
C. Food and Beverages Served / Sold During the School Day
1. Food and beverages offered will be nutrient dense( According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and others, nutrient-dense foods are those foods that are rich in important nutrients( vitamins, mineral, fiber, and / or protein) when compared to their calorie count.) including whole grain products, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
2017-18 School Handbook 59