Federal Child Nutrition Act Wellness Policy, Code F28
(Required Policy)[1]
Updated 9/18/13

Purpose

The intent of this Policy is to ensure compliance with the local policy requirements of the federal Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. In accord with those requirements, this Policy has been developed in consultation with parents, students, representatives of the school food services authority, school administrators, teachers of physical education, school health professionals and the public.

Policy Statement

It is the policy of the Meadows Educational Center  to establish goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school based activities that are designed to promote student wellness.  With the objective of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity, the district will also establish nutrition guidelines for all foods available at school during the school day. 

I.    Goals for Nutrition Promotion and Education.[2] 

A.   The school district shall provide nutrition promotion and education programs as required by state law and regulations of the State Board of Education.  In particular, the district shall provide a nutrition component in its Comprehensive Health Education program and shall develop curricular programs intended to accomplish applicable goals enumerated in the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities.[3]

B.  Nutrition education and promotion programs shall be conducted by appropriately licensed staff members.

C.  To the extent practicable, nutrition education and promotion shall be integrated into core curricula in areas, such as science and family and consumer science courses.

II.   Goals for Physical Activity.[4]

A.  The district shall provide physical education classes for all students as required by Vermont School Quality Standards.

B.  The district shall provide other physical activity opportunities for students through recess periods in appropriate grades and, as appropriate, before or after school activities such as interscholastic athletics and physical activity clubs or intramural sports.

III.  Goals for Other School Based Activities.[5]

A.  The district shall ensure that guidelines for reimbursable school meals are not less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to sections (a) and (b) of section  9A(a) and (b)of the  Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act as those regulations and guidance apply to schools.[6]

B.  The district shall provide adequate space for eating and serving school meals.

C.  The district shall provide a clean and safe meal environment for students.

D.  The district shall establish meal periods that provide adequate time to eat and are scheduled at appropriate hours.

E.  Food shall not be used in district schools as a reward or punishment. 

F.  The district shall provide training opportunities as appropriate for food service and other staff members in areas of nutrition and wellness.

IV.  Nutrition Guidelines.[7]

A.  No foods of minimal nutritional value, as listed in 7 CFR 210, Appendix B and 7 CFR 220, Appendix B shall be sold in food service areas during breakfast and lunch periods.[8]

B.  The sale of foods during meal periods in food service areas shall be allowed only if all income from the sale, including the sale of approved foods or drinks from vending machines, accrues to the benefit of the school, the school food service program, or the student organizations sponsoring the sale.[9]

C.  To the extent practicable, the district shall ensure that foods offered at school other than through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast programs, including foods sold through vending machines, shall comply with the A la Carte and Vending Guidelines established by the Vermont Departments of Health and Education.

V.  Policy Implementation.[10]

A.     The superintendent or his or her designee shall periodically monitor district programs and curriculum to ensure compliance with this policy and any administrative procedures established to carry out the requirements of this policy. The district shall periodically inform and update the public about the content and implementation of this policy, including the extent to which district schools are in compliance  with this policy, the extent to which this policy compares to model local school wellness policies and a description of the progress made in attaining the goals of this policy.[11]

B.     The district shall permit parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators and the general public to participate in the development, implementation and periodic review and update of this policy.[12]

The superintendent or his or her designee shall report at least annually to the board and to the public on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness.  The report shall include information as to the content and implementation of this policy, and an assurance that district guidelines for reimbursable meals are not less restrictive than regulations and guidelines issued for schools in accordance with federal law. [13]

Date Warned:
Date Adopted:
Dates Revised:
Legal Reference(s).

· 16 V.S.A. §§131 & 906(b)(3).

·  Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.

·  Child Nutrition Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.

·  Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, Section 204 of Public Law 111-296.

·  Code of Federal Regulations, 7 CFR Part 210 and Part 220.

[1] Section 204 of Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296

[2] These goals are intended to be illustrative.  Local policy makers should consider the addition of locally established goals. For examples of goals used elsewhere, consult the resources listed in the material accompanying this model policy.

[3] 16 V.S.A. §§131 & 906.

[4] These goals are intended to be illustrative.  Local policy makers should consider the addition of locally established goals.  For examples of goals used elsewhere, consult the resources listed in the material accompanying this model policy.

[5] These goals are illustrative.  Local policy makers should consider the addition of locally established goals.  For examples of goals used elsewhere, consult the resources listed in the material accompanying this policy.

[6] This provision is required of schools participating in National School Lunch and Breakfast programs.

[7] The federal law requires that local wellness policies include “nutrition guidelines selected by the local educational agency for all foods available on each school campus…during the school day with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity.”  Include locally established guidelines as appropriate. 

[8] Required of schools participating in National School Lunch and Breakfast programs.

[9] Required by cited federal regulations.

[10] The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act requires the establishment of “a plan for measuring implementation of the local wellness policy, including the designation of 1 person within the local education agency or at each school, as appropriate, charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that the school meets the local wellness policy.”  For examples of implementation plans, consult the references cited in the materials accompanying this model policy.

[11] P.L. 111-296 Sec 9A(b)(5)(A) and (B).

[12] P.L. 111-296 Sec. 9A(b)(3); 42 U.S.C. 1758(b).

[13] P.L. 111-296 Sec. 9A(b)(4) and (5).