The George Junior Republic Union Free School District

THE GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC

UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

“STUDENT WELLNESS PLAN”

 

The George Junior Republic Union Free School District

Student Wellness Plan

 

The George Junior Republic Union Free School District is committed to providing a school environment that promotes, protects, and encourages children’s health, well-being and the ability to learn by providing a multi-faceted approach to nutritional education as well as supporting and promoting physical activity.  This said, our goal is to foster lifelong habits of healthy eating and physical activity.

Pursuant to Section 204 of the Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children Reauthorization Act of 2004, the District creates the following Student Wellness Plan to enhance the education and development of lifelong wellness practices.

Nutritional Education Goals:

Nutrition education is defined as “any set of learning experiences designed to facilitate the voluntary adoption of eating and other nutrition related behaviors conducive to health and well-being”.  The District adopts the following nutrition guidelines in its school, with the goal of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity.  The District intends to meet the identified criteria by adopting the following guidelines:

  • Students of the George Junior Republic Union Free School District will receive a variety of nutritional education based situations that are interactive and that teach students the skills they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors necessary to promote and protect their overall health and well-being.

 

  • Students will receive regular and consistent nutrition messages throughout the school, classrooms, recreation, dining facility, media and residential life. Where possible, the community, parents and home life will mirror appropriate nutritional concepts.

 

  • The school district will provide residential life and the Independent Living Skills Coordinator with information that encourages them to provide nutritious meals and to teach their clients the importance of appropriate health and nutrition.

 

  • The school districts’ health and physical education curriculum standards and guidelines will include essential elements of nutritional and physical instruction.

 

  • Nutritional education services shall be integrated into the health education, physical education, and specials core curricula. The curricula should include several activities, which stress the importance of healthy foods.  Additionally, classroom instruction will teach students how to become smart consumers emphasizing techniques and label analyses that promote healthy nutritional choices.  The curriculum will help children to differentiate between healthful and unhealthful foods.  Portions of the curriculum will address the revised food pyramid guidelines and the nutritional value of the five main food groups.  Courses will also include media literacy geared toward food marketing.

 

  • Teachers that are responsible for nutrition education shall have appropriate training and shall participate regularly in professional development activities to effectively deliver and accurate nutritional education program.

 

  • Students shall have access to a variety of nutritious food choices that meet their health and nutritional needs and which accommodate the religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the student population.

 

  • Students will be provided a healthy breakfast to begin each day and they will be encouraged to consume such meals.

 

  • The consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and other healthy foods will be promoted. Further, healthy food preparation methods and health enhancing nutrition practices shall be encouraged.

 

  • Reducing the effects of positive caloric intake will be (physical activity/exercise = caloric balance) emphasized.

 

  • The District’s guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than applicable federal regulations and guidelines of Child Nutrition Programs.

 

  • The District remains vending machine free for student use. Therefore, students do not have access to vending machine foods.

 

  • Students will receive a variety of healthful beverage selections to consume during mealtime. These will include ice water, 100% fruit juices, 1% chocolate milk, 1% milk, and skim milk.

 

  • Nutrition standards shall focus on maximizing nutritional value by decreasing fat, sodium, added sugars, and moderating portion size.

 

  • All Food Service classes will offer healthful food choices in their cooking programs.

 

  • All foods made available shall adhere to food safety and security guidelines.

 

  • Fresh fruit will be offered daily.

 

  • A minimum of 100% of grains served will be whole grain.

 

  • A variety of healthful snacks (e.g., fresh fruit, raisins) will be provided for resident life.

 

  • All meals served will meet the nutritional requirement of local, state, and federal statutes and regulations.

 

  • Students will be discouraged from sharing food or beverages with one another during meal or snack time, given the obvious concerns about allergies and other dietary restrictions.

Goal for Measurement and Plan Evaluation:

The implementation of this plan will be monitored on an annual basis.  The District will designate and individual who shall be charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the District will meet the goals of this plan and that a report on the school district’s compliance shall be forwarded to the Superintendent for evaluation.

 

9/18