Trinity Lutheran School

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TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Wyoming Action for Healthy Kids
 Wellness Policy

Intent:

Trinity Lutheran School shall promote student well-being and academic achievement by supporting quality nutrition and physical activity as part of the learning environment.  Trinity Lutheran School recognizes that collaborating with parents, students, school personnel, health professionals, and community members is the most effective method of creating a healthy environment where children can learn about and adopt positive lifestyle habits that are essential for students to achieve their full academic potential, as well as lifelong good health and well-being.

Rationale:

Healthy eating patterns, respect for body-size differences, and physical activity are essential for students to reach their academic potential, full physical and mental growth, and lifelong health and well-being.  Recent studies have shown a strong link among nutrition, physical activity and learning.  Positive correlations have been made regarding academic performance as measured by test scores, concentration, tardiness, attendance rates, and discipline.

Healthy eating and physical activity are also clearly linked to the reduced risk for mortality and development of many chronic diseases.  Over the past 20 years the percentage of overweight children has doubled and the percentage of overweight adolescents has tripled.  Being overweight increases the risk of children developing Type 2 diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, as well as some forms of cancer.  Overweight children often experience low self-esteem and even depression.   In economic terms, the effects of students’ poor nutrition and physical activity patterns can potentially cost vital dollars to schools each year.   

Because students are in school for a substantial portion of the day, school districts have a responsibility to help students establish and maintain lifelong, healthy and enjoyable eating and physical activity patterns, while creating environments that reflect respect for body-size differences.

Increasing evidence suggests that schools are more effective in preventing long-term health problems when they work together with students, parents, and the community.  A school wellness council that includes parents, community leaders, health professionals, students, and school personnel can facilitate communication, efficiently use resources, and provide consistency in decision making. 

Nutrition Education:

·         Students in grades K-8 will receive behavior-focused nutrition education that is interactive and teaches the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors they need to adopt healthy and enjoyable eating habits that last a lifetime.

  • The staff teaching nutrition education will be adequately prepared and participate regularly in professional development activities to effectively deliver an accurate nutrition education program.  Professional development activities will provide basic knowledge of nutrition, combined with skills practice in program-specific activities and instructional techniques and strategies designed to promote healthy eating habits and the importance of body-size acceptance.
  • Nutrition education is integrated into the core curriculum (e.g., math, science, language arts, and social studies).
  • The school cafeteria offers a “learning laboratory” to link the lessons learned in the classroom with the practice of making health-promoting food choices.
  • Students receive consistent nutrition messages throughout the school, classroom, cafeteria, home, community and local media.
  • The school will build awareness among teachers, food-service staff, coaches, nurses and other school staff about the importance of nutrition, physical activity and body-size acceptance to academic success and lifelong wellness.
  • The school will encourage parents, teachers, school personnel, and students to serve as role models in practicing healthy eating and being physically active.

 

Physical Education:

  • Students in grades K-8 will receive behavior-focused physical education that actively engages all youth, regardless of skill level, and that teaches the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors that students need to adopt and enjoy a physically active lifestyle.

  • The school will provide ongoing professional training and development for staff in the area of physical activity.

  • All physical education classes have a student/teacher ratio comparable to other classes.

  • The school does not allow courses or activities to be substituted for physical education.

 

  • All students in grades K-8, including students with disabilities, will receive weekly physical education for the entire school year.

  • Physical activity programs are carried out in environments that reflect respect for body-size differences and varying skill levels.

  • Students will be provided several opportunities, throughout the school day for physical activity lasting 10 minutes.  
  • The school shall provide elementary students a daily recess in conjunction with the lunch hour.
  • Physical activity opportunities will focus on individual activities in addition to competitive and non-competitive team sports.
  • Students will be given opportunities for physical activity during the school day through daily recess periods, walking programs, and the integration of physical activity into the academic curriculum.
  • The school provides an environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students, including those who are not athletically gifted. 
  • The school will encourage families and community members to support programs outside of the school that encourage physical activity.

 

Nutrition Standards for All Foods Available on the School Campus during the School Day:

  • The school shall use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the USDA School Meal Program requirements, and the criteria for the USDA Healthier US School Challenge when deciding what foods and beverages will be available to students through:
    • Vending machines
    • A la carte
    • Snacks
    • Fundraisers
    • Concession stands
    • Student stores
    • School parities/celebrations
  • During each school day the nutrition services program will offer lunch that meets the guidelines of the USDA’s National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
  • Classroom snacks are encouraged to be healthy choices.
  • The school shall participate in a hot lunch program, which provides appealing and attractive meals to children that offer a variety of fruits and vegetables and grains. 
  • The promotion of healthy foods - including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products - is encouraged.
  • Menus are planned with input from students and include local, cultural, and ethnic favorites of the students.
  • Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) guidelines will be implemented by the beginning of next year.

  • Parents and teachers will be encouraged to model healthy eating habits while on school property.
  • Advertising messages are consistent with and reinforce the objectives of the education and nutrition environment goals of the school.

Other School-Based Activities Designed to Promote Student Wellness Goals:

  • Dining room supervisory staff shall receive training in how to maintain a safe, clean, and pleasant eating environment.
  • Lunch periods are scheduled as near the middle of the day as possible.
  • Students shall have adequate time to eat, relax, and socialize: at least 20 minutes after sitting down for lunch.
  • The district will provide enough space and serving areas to ensure student access to school meals with a minimum of wait time.
  • Convenient access to facilities for hand washing shall be available.
  • Safe drinking water will be available throughout the school day.
  • The school shall promote healthy eating and enjoyable physical activity and respect for body-size differences, using posters, special promotions, media events, newsletters, and health fairs throughout the school year.
  • The school will ensure fundraising efforts are supportive of healthy eating and physical activity.

Review of the Wellness Policy:

  • The school’s administrator shall ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to the wellness policy.
  • Administrators, teachers, staff and parents will be educated about the importance of school physical education and nutrition programs and policies.     
  • Students, teachers, staff and parents will be educated about the importance of body-size acceptance and the dangers of unhealthy weight-control practices.

Revised Aug. 2011