Van Alstyne ISD Wellness and Health Policy

Introduction

The district shall follow nutrition guidelines that advance student health and reduce childhood obesity and shall promote the general wellness of all students by implementing measurable goals to promote nutrition education, physical activity, sound nutrition and other school-based activities. The Van Alstyne Independent School District is committed to providing a school environment that enhances learning and development of lifelong wellness practices. 

Development, Implementation, and Review of Guidelines and Goals

The local school health advisory council (SHAC), on behalf of the district, shall review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques and shall develop nutrition guidelines and wellness goals as required by law.  In the development, implementation, and review of these guidelines and goals, the SHAC shall permit participation by parents, students, representatives of the District’s food service provider, physical education teachers, school health professionals, members of the Board, school administrators, and members of the public. By facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity, schools contribute to the basic health status of children. The diversity of the student population (e.g., economic, religious, minority, cultural, and medical) should be considered at all times to ensure that all children learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices.

Wellness Plan       

The SHAC shall develop a wellness plan to implement the District’s nutrition guidelines and wellness goals. The wellness plan shall, at a minimum address:

1.       Strategies for soliciting involvement by and input from persons interested in the wellness plan and policy
2.       Objectives, benchmarks, and activities for implementing the wellness goals
3.       Methods for measuring implementation of the wellness goals
4.       The District’s standards for foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students during the school day on a school campus
5.       The manner of communicating to the public applicable information about the District’s wellness policy and plan

The SHAC shall review and revise the plan on a regular basis and recommend revisions to the wellness policy when necessary.

Nutrition Guidelines: Foods and Beverages Sold

The District’s nutrition guidelines for reimbursable school meals and all other foods and beverages sold, otherwise made available, or marketed to students during the school day shall be designed to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity and shall be at least as restrictive as federal regulations and guidance, except when the district allows an exemption for fundraising activities as authorized by the state and federal rules. 

Nutrition Guidelines: Foods and Beverages Provided

The District shall establish standards for all foods and beverages provided, but not sold, to students during the school day.  These standards shall be addressed in the District’s wellness plan.

Wellness Goals: Nutrition Education and Guidelines

The District shall implement, in accordance with law, a coordinated school health program with a nutrition education component. (See EHAA) The District’s nutrition promotion activities shall encourage participation in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and any other supplemental food and nutrition programs offered by the District. The District shall ensure that nutritional guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall be designed to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity and shall be at least as restrictive as federal regulations and guidance. All foods available on each campus are in accordance with the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy.

The District establishes the following goals for nutrition promotion:

1. The District’s food service staff, teachers, and other District personnel shall consistently promote healthy nutrition messages in cafeterias, classrooms, and other appropriate settings.
2. The District shall ensure that food and beverage advertisements accessible to students during the school days contain only products that meet the federal guidelines for meals and competitive foods.
3. All school-based activities are consistent with local wellness policy goals. 
4. Convenient access to hand-washing facilities before and after meals is provided, and use is strongly encouraged.

The District establishes the following goals for nutrition education:

1. The District shall deliver nutrition education that fosters the adoption and maintenance of healthy eating behaviors
2. The District shall make nutrition education a District-wide priority and shall integrate nutrition education into other areas of the curriculum, as appropriate.

Wellness Goals: Physical Activity

The District shall implement, in accordance with law, a coordinated health program with physical education and physical activity components and shall offer at least the required amount of physical activity for all grades. (See BDF, EHAA, EHAB, and EHAC)

The District establishes the following goals for physical activity:

1. The District shall provide appropriate staff development and encourage teachers to integrate physical activity into the academic curriculum when appropriate.
2. The District shall make appropriate training and other activities available to District employees in order to promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity for District employees and students. 
3. Provide an environment that fosters safe and enjoyable fitness activities for all students, including those who are not participating in competitive sports.
4. Students are given opportunities for physical activity during the school day through physical education (PE) classes, daily recess periods for elementary school students, and the integration of physical activity into academic curriculum when appropriate and applicable. 
5. Teachers and other school staff will receive training to promote enjoyable, life-long physical activity for themselves and students.
6. The District will encourage parents to support their children’s participation, to be active role models, and to include physical activity in family events.
7. The District will encourage students, parents, staff, and community members to use the District’s recreational facilities that are available outside of the school day.

Wellness Goals: School-Based Activities

The District establishes the following goal to create an environment conducive to healthful eating and physical activity and to promote and express a consistent wellness message through other school-based activities: 

• Sufficient time will be allowed for students to eat meals in lunchroom facilities that are clean, safe, and comfortable.
• Wellness for students and their families will be promoted at suitable school activities
• Employee wellness education and involvement will be promoted at suitable school activities.

Marketing

The District will restrict food and beverage marketing to only those foods and beverages that meet the nutrition standards set forth by USDA’s Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in Schools (Smart Snacks) rule.  Marketing includes brand names, trademarks, logos, or tags except when placed on a food or beverage product/ container; displays, such as vending machine exteriors; corporate/ brand names, logos, trademarks on cups, posters, school supplies, education materials, food service equipment, and school equipment (e.g. message boards, scoreboards, uniforms); advertisements in school publications/ mailings; sponsorship of school activities, fundraisers, or sports teams; educational incentive programs such as contests or programs, and free samples or coupons displaying advertising of a product.

Implementation

The registered nurse shall oversee the implementation of this policy and the development and implementation of the wellness plan and appropriate administrative procedures. In order to ensure implementation and monitoring of this plan the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) will be charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that the schools meet the Local Wellness Policy guidelines. 

Evaluation

The district shall comply with the federal requirements for evaluating this policy and the wellness plan. The local wellness policy will be reviewed at minimum every three years. The triennial assessment will be made available to the public. 

Public Notification

The District shall inform and update the public about the content and implementation of the wellness policy, including posting on its website a copy of the wellness policy and plan.

Records Retention

The District shall retain all records associated with the wellness policy, in accordance with law and the District’s records management program.

Reviewed 2024

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: [email protected]  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.