Wellness Policy

Orange Charter School Wellness Policy 2007-2008

Introduction

In the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, the U.S. Congress established a new requirement that all schools with federally funded school meal programs develop and implement wellness policies that address nutrition and physical activity by the start of the 2006-2007 school year (PL 108.265 Section 204). Congress determined that there was a need for each school to develop a local wellness policy to address a number of concerns. The number of overweight children in the U.S. has grown dramatically while children’s physical activity is declining as they get older. These trends have health and financial consequences. A healthy school environment goes beyond the school meals served in the lunchroom. A healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight requires a combination of healthy food choices and an appropriate amount of physical activity. The healthy, physically active child is more likely to be academically successful.

Nutrition:

· The Orange Charter School Child Nutrition Program is obliged to conform to federal, state, and local requirements. The Child Nutrition Program is accessible to all children. Each child receives a meal benefit form at the beginning of each school year. Parents or guardians may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year. The meals provided at Orange Charter School shall follow the guidelines set forth by the USDA through the National School Lunch Program. Orange Charter School guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

· Foods of minimal nutritional value and candy will not routinely be given to students during the school day. The principal may give permission for candy to be given to students without charge after the end of the last lunch period for special events.

· No foods or beverages are to be sold or given without charge to any students in school from 12:01 a.m. until after the end of the last lunch period except through the School Food and Nutrition Service Department.

· No products containing peanuts or peanut residue may be sold or offered in the school meal program or provided for a snack at any grade level.

· There are no fried foods offered through the Orange Charter School lunch program.

· The milk choices available are skim or 1% white milk and 1% chocolate milk.

· The Kindergarten, first, and second grade classes offer a snack time each school morning. The classroom teachers for these grades will compile a list of healthy snack ideas from which parents may choose. Only skim or 1% white milk will be offered for sale during Kindergarten and first grade snack time. Students, who do not choose to purchase milk, may drink water or a 100% juice drink brought from home. No soft drinks, sports drinks, or chocolate milk will be permitted during the snack period.

Physical Education and Activity:

A certified physical education teacher shall teach physical education.
Participation in the physical education program shall be required of all students for approximately two hours per week.
Physical activity will be integrated across curricula and throughout the school day. Movement can be made a part of science, math, social studies, and language arts. To promote learning, staff will incorporate physical activity within the school day with the goal of limiting extended periods of inactivity. Ideas for easily integrating physical activity into the classroom setting can be found at the Energizers website offered through East Carolina University. www.ncpe4me.com/energizers.html
Physical education courses will be the environment where students learn, practice, and are assessed on developmentally appropriate motor skills, social skills, and knowledge. Students at all grade levels will have access to a physical education curriculum which includes opportunities to learn, meaningful content, and appropriate instruction.
Physical education classes shall have a student/teacher ratio similar to other classes.
Adequate equipment is available for all students to participate in physical education.
The school provides a physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students, including those who are not athletically gifted.
Every nine weeks, information will be provided to families to help them incorporate physical activity into their student’s lives.
The certified physical education teacher is the only Orange Charter School teacher who may require students to run laps, or complete pushups as a part of the physical education program. No school personnel may use physical activity as a form of punishment.

Eating Environment:

· The students shall be provided with adequate time to eat their meals. The National Association of State Boards of Education recommends that students should be provided with twenty minutes to eat their lunch from the time the student is seated.

· The lunch period will be scheduled as near the middle of the school day as possible. Food is not used as a reward or punishment for student behaviors, unless it is detailed in a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

· Dining areas have enough space for seating all students.

· The school will provide students the opportunity to wash their hands before and after eating meals or snacks.

· The school environment is safe, comfortable, pleasing, and allows ample time and space for eating meals.

· The Kindergarten, first, and second grade students will have their recess period first, followed by their lunch period. Studies have shown that early elementary students consume more of their lunches when their lunch period follows their recess period.

Healthy and Safe Environment:

· School buildings and grounds, structures, and equipment shall meet all current health and safety standards.

· Orange Charter School shall maintain an environment that is free of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

Nutrition Education:

· Nutrition education will be integrated into other areas of the school curriculum such as math, science, language arts, and social studies.

· Nutrition education will involve sharing information with families and the broader community to positively impact students and the health of the community. Orange Charter School will provide information to families that encourage them to teach their children about health and nutrition and to provide nutritious meals for their families.

· Orange Charter School will provide parents “helpful hints” relating to childhood obesity, diet, and health activities monthly in the “Orange Peel”. In addition, Orange Charter School will display information posters on each floor of the school building and cafeteria that illustrate concerns associated with obesity, diet, and healthful activities.

Daily Recess Period:

· Orange Charter School will provide daily recess for Kindergarten through fifth grade students, preferably outdoors, during which the school will encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity through the provision of adequate space and equipment. Exceptions may be made by the principal for circumstances such as shortened days, special events, and altered schedules.

· Children will only be able to bring items from home that would be considered outside toys (e.g., balls, jump ropes, Frisbees, etc.) to be used during the recess period.

· Recess must be supervised.

· Appropriate equipment and space is to be made available so that students can be physically active and safe.

· Staff will be encouraged to limit using recess time for students to make up work or as a time to administer discipline to a maximum of ten minutes. A student’s recess period may be used as a time for disciplinary action at the discretion of Orange Charter School’s principal.

Food Safety/Food Security:

· All foods made available on campus will comply with the state and local food safety and sanitation regulations.

· Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans and guidelines are implemented to prevent food illness in schools.

Foods and Beverages:

· Orange Charter School is encouraged to consider wellness issues and student allergies when planning incentive and promotional activities.

· OCS will discourage students from sharing their food or beverages with one another during meal or snack times, given concerns about allergies and other restrictions on some children’s diets.

· Parents are encouraged to provide healthy food choices or non-food items for birthday celebrations at school. School birthday parties will not occur until after the end of the last lunch period of the day.

Compliance:

· The Orange Charter School principal is responsible for providing for annual notification of this policy and procedure to staff, students, and parents.

· The school-based instructional staff and administrators are responsible for the delivery of the written curriculum in the classroom.

· The principal will ensure that opportunities for physical activity are provided during the school day in accordance with this policy.

· Parents may hold food fundraisers after the end of each school day, on school holidays, or weekends.

· Food provided free as refreshments for potlucks, parties, picnics, teacher appreciation luncheons or breakfasts are not subject to this policy. Healthy food choices are recommended.

· Food and Nutrition Service Department personnel and the principal will ensure that all food and beverages made available to students in school or through school-sponsored events, from 12:01 a.m. to the end of the last lunch period, are in compliance with this policy.

Rewards:

· Orange Charter School will not use foods or beverages as rewards for academic performance or good behavior, and will not withhold food or beverages (including food served through school meals) as a punishment.

· Non-food reward ideas may be found at the Constructive Classroom Rewards website: www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/constructive rewards.pdf

Staff Wellness:

Orange Charter School is encouraged to offer educational activities for school staff members on healthy lifestyle behaviors, eating, physical activity, and injury prevention.
Orange Charter School is encouraged to offer periodic screening at school for blood pressure, blood cholesterol, body mass index, and other health indicators.
Encouragement of staff members to set medical appointments for screening for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases.

Healthy Workforce 2010: An Essential Health Promotion Sourcebook for Employers, Large and Small, Partnership for Prevention.