Nutrition, Health, and Physical Fitness

Policy: 6700

Section: 6000 - Management Support

Montesano School District #66 

Nutrition and Physical Fitness

The Montesano School District Board of Directors recognizes that childhood obesity has reached  epidemic levels in Washington and throughout the country. Overweight children are at greater risk for  developing severe long-term health problems and overweight children are affected by discrimination,  psychological stress and low self-esteem. However, research indicates that obesity and subsequent  diseases are largely preventable through diet and regular physical activity. Research also indicates  that becoming physically active and maintaining a regular physical activity program significantly  reduces the risk of some obesity and some cancers, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Children who eat well-balanced meals and are healthy are more likely to learn in the classroom. The  board supports increased emphasis on nutrition as well as physical activity at all grade levels to  enhance the well being of our district’s youth. Therefore, it is the policy of the board to provide  students:

∙ Access to nutritious food.

∙ Opportunities for physical activity and developmentally appropriate exercise.

∙ Accurate information related to these topics.

The superintendent will develop and implement a comprehensive district-wide program consistent  with state and federal requirements for districts sponsoring the National School Lunch and National  School Breakfast Programs. To implement the program, the superintendent will adopt and implement  a comprehensive curriculum on health, physical education, and nutrition consistent with the  Washington State Learning Standards. The curriculum will provide opportunities for developmentally  appropriate instruction for grades K-12. The input of staff, students, parents, and public health  professionals in the development of the curriculum is encouraged. Nutrition, health, and physical  education topics will be integrated within the sequential comprehensive health and physical education  curriculum taught at every grade level, kindergarten through grade 12 and coordinated with the  district’s nutrition and food services operation.

Nutrition Standards

The district will provide meals for students that meet the meal pattern requirements for the National  School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. All foods and beverages sold to students on  campus during the school day (e.g., vending machines, DECA school stores, bake sales, and other  

school fundraisers) must meet USDA Smart Snacks in Schools standards. No food or drink items will  be sold unless they have been approved by the principal or school official responsible for oversight as  designated in the LSWP.

Food Services Program

The district supports the philosophy of the National School Lunch and National School Breakfast  Program and will provide wholesome and nutritious meals for children in the district’s schools. The  board authorizes the superintendent to administer the food services program, provided that any  decision to enter into a contract with a private food service management company will require the  approval of the board. Expenditures for food supplies will not exceed the estimated revenues.  Because of potential liability of the district, the food services program will not accept donations of food  other than as provided in this policy without the expressed approval of the board. Should the board  approve a food donation, the superintendent will establish inspection and handling procedures for the  food and determine that the provisions of all state and local laws have been met before selling the  food as part of the school breakfast or lunch menu. As a sponsor of the National School Lunch  Program and School Breakfast Program, the district will provide free and reduced-price breakfasts  and lunches to students who qualify in accordance with the terms of the programs. The district will  distribute the Letter to Households and free and reduced price meal applications to all households at

the beginning of each school year. The district will protect the identity of students eligible for free and  reduced-priced meals in accordance with USDA guidelines for confidentiality and disclosure of  student eligibility for such meals. On test days, the district may provide free, nutritious meals to all  students, including students who do not qualify for free or reduced priced federal school meal  benefits. However, the district must use non-federal funds to cover the cost of providing such meals.  The board may set an adult meal price to allow teachers, administrators, and parents to demonstrate  their support for school meal program by occasionally eating with students. The price must be the  price charged to students paying the full meal price plus the value of federal reimbursement for paid  meals and the USDA Food Value. The district will use USDA Foods made available under the Federal  Food Distribution Program for school meal programs.

Food Services Procurement

Open bid process

In all applicable cases, food, food products, supplies, and equipment purchased with school food  service funds will be procured in accordance with the process and procedures established in Policy  6220 in a manner that provides full and open competition consistent with the standards in applicable  federal regulations.

Conflict of Interest

The following conduct will be expected of all persons who are engaged in the award and  administration of contracts supported by School Food Services Program Funds:

1. No employee, officer, or agent of the district shall participate in selection or in the award or  administration of a contract supported by Program funds if a conflict of interest, real or apparent, would  be involved. Conflicts of interest arise when one of the following has a financial or other interest in the  firm selected for the award:

o District employee, officer, or agent;

o Any member of his/her immediate family;

o His/her partner;

o An organization that employs or is about to employ one of the above.

2. District employees, officers, or agents shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of  monetary value from contractors, potential contractors, or parties to sub-agreements.

3. The purchase during the school day of any food or service from a contractor for individual use is  prohibited

4. The removal of any food, supplies, equipment, or school property such as records, recipe books, and  the like is prohibited.

5. The outside sale of such items as used oil, empty cans, and the like will be sold by contract between the  district and the outside agency. Individual sales by any school person to an outside agency or other  school person is prohibited.

Failure of any employee to abide by the above-stated code may result in disciplinary action, including  but not limited to, a fine, suspension, or dismissal.

Physical Education and Physical Activity

Health and Physical Education Curriculum

The superintendent will adopt and implement a comprehensive health and physical education  curriculum consistent with the Washington State K-12 Health and Fitness Learning Standards. The  health and physical education curriculum will promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and  help students develop skills to engage in lifelong healthy habits. The curriculum will provide  opportunities for developmentally appropriate instruction for grades K - 12. All students in grades one  through eight will be required to receive an average of one hundred instructional minutes per week of  physical education per year. All high school students are required to  

complete a minimum of .5 credits of health and 1.5 credits of physical education. The district will offer  a one credit course or its equivalent in physical education for each grade in the high school program  (grades 9-12). A physical education curriculum includes instruction and practice in a variety of motor  skills and movement patterns; knowledge of concepts related to movement and performance;  knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness;  responsible personal and social behavior; and values physical activity for health and enjoyment. All

students will be provided equal opportunity to participate in physical education classes. The district  will make appropriate accommodations to allow opportunity for equitable participation by all students  and will reasonably adapt physical education classes and equipment as necessary. The district will  ensure that any student eligible for special education will be provided appropriate physical education  services.

Recess

In addition to required physical education, the district will attempt to provide students with physically  active daily recess opportunities. Recess will complement, not substitute, for physical education class.

Physical Activity

The district will attempt to provide physical activity before, during, and after school. This includes a  variety of school-based physical activities to enable all students to participate in 60 minutes of  physical activity each day. These physical activity breaks will complement, not substitute, for physical  education class, recess, and class transition periods. Active transport will be encouraged in schools to  promote alternative transport methods for children, such as pedestrian and bicycle safety programs.  The district is encouraged to promote the use of school facilities for physical activity programs offered  by the school and/or community-based organizations outside of school hours.

Legal References: RCW 28A.210.365 Food choice, physical activity, childhood fitness – minimum standards – district waiver or  exemption policy; RCW 28A.230.040 Physical education – Grades 1-8; RCW 28A.230.050 Physical education in High Schools;  RCW 28A.235 Food Services; RCW 28A.235.120 Meal Programs – Establishment and Operation – Personnel – Agreements;  RCW 28A.235.130 Milk for children at school expense; RCW 28A.623.020 Nonprofit program for elderly—Authorized— Restrictions; RCW 69.04 Intrastate Commerce in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics; RCW 69.06.010 Food and beverage service  worker’s permit – Filing, duration – Minimum training requirements; RCW 69.06.020 Permit exclusive and valid throughout state  – Fee; RCW 69.06.030 Diseased persons – May not work – Employer may not hire; RCW 69.06.050 Permit to be secured  within fourteen days from time of employment; RCW 69.06.070 Limited duty permit; WAC 180-51-068 State subject and credit  requirements for high school graduation—Students entering the ninth grade on or after July 1, 2015; WAC 392-172A-02030  Physical education (special education services); WAC 392-410-135 Physical Education – Grade school and high school  requirement; WAC 392-410-136 Physical Education Requirement – Excuse; 7 CFR, Parts 210 and 220; 7 CFR, Part 245.5; 7  CFR 3016.36 Procurement; Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

Procedure No. 6700P

Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP)

The district will convene an advisory committee to assist in development of the district- wide LSWP.  The committee will include parents representatives of the school food authority, the school board and  school administrators, teachers of physical education, school health professionals and the public in  developing, implementing, periodically reviewing and updating the LSWP.

School Meal Programs and Competitive Foods

The district will follow the USDA’s meal patterns for the National School Lunch Program, School  Breakfast Program, and Smart Snacks in School standards for all food and beverages sold to  students on school campus during the school day. These are available at  

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/allfoods_flyer.pdf While  

students/parents/guardians are permitted to bring commercial foods to school that do not meet the  Smart Snacks standards on occasions such as birthdays and holiday celebrations, the district will  encourage healthy food choices in all school operations.

∙ Celebrations and Rewards

∙ All foods offered on the school campus are encouraged to meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in  School nutrition standards, including through:

o Celebrations and parties. The district will provide a list of healthy party ideas to parents and  teachers, including non-food celebration ideas.

o Classroom snacks brought by parents. The district will provide to parents a list of foods and  beverages that meet Smart Snack nutrition standards; and

o Rewards and incentives. The district will provide teachers and other relevant school staff a list  of alternative ways to reward children. Foods and beverages will not be used as a reward, or  withheld as punishment for any reason, such as for performance or behavior.

∙ Fundraising

∙ Foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards may  be sold through fundraisers on the school campus during the school day. The district will make available

to parents and teachers a list of healthy fundraising ideas.

∙ Water

To promote hydration, free, safe, and unflavored drinking water will be available to all students  throughout the school day and throughout every school campus. The district will make drinking water  available where school meals are served during mealtimes. In addition, students will be allowed to  bring and carry (approved) water bottles filled with only water with them throughout the day.

School Cafeterias

∙ Any student may eat in the school cafeteria or other designated place.

∙ Meal prices will be established by the superintendent and food service director with the approval of the  board at the beginning of each year.

∙ Healthy foods should be competitively priced.

∙ Meal prices will be posted on the district website and on all school menus.  

Nutrition and Food Services Operation

In order to support the school’s nutrition and food services operation as an essential partner in the  educational mission of the district and its role in the district’s comprehensive nutrition program, the superintendent is responsible for:

∙ Encouraging students to participate in the school meal programs.;

∙ Providing varied and nutritious food choices consistent with the applicable school meal program  guidelines; and

∙ Providing that:

o Students have adequate time to eat their entire meal;

o Seating for meals is adequate and occurs in a safe environment;

o Rules for mealtime behavior are consistently enforced;

o Mealtime supervision is appropriate; and

o Buses arrive in time for students to participate in the School Breakfast Program.

Staff Development

Ongoing in-service and professional development training opportunities for staff in the area of food  nutrition will be encouraged.

Family and Community Involvement

In order to promote family and community involvement in supporting and reinforcing nutrition  education in schools, the school principal is responsible for ensuring:

∙ Nutrition education materials and breakfast and lunch menus are made available to parents; ∙ Parents are encouraged to promote their child’s participation in the school meals program. If their  children do not participate in the school meals program, parents should provide their children with  healthy snacks/meals;

∙ Families are invited to attend exhibitions of student nutrition projects or health fairs; ∙ Nutrition education curriculum includes homework that students can do with their families (e.g., reading  and interpreting food labels, reading nutrition-related newsletters, preparing healthy recipes, etc.); ∙ School staff are encouraged to cooperate with other agencies and community groups to provide  opportunities for student projects related to nutrition, as appropriate; and

∙ School staff consider the various cultural preferences in development of nutrition education programs  and food options.

Nutrition Education

∙ A district’s K-12 nutrition education curriculum shall be in alignment with the Washington State K-12  Learning Standards.

∙ A district’s nutrition education K-12 curriculum may include, but not be limited to, the following: o Age-appropriate nutritional knowledge, including:

▪ Understand the relationship of nutrition and food nutrients to physical performance

and body composition;

▪ Learn the benefits of healthy eating;

▪ Understand essential nutrients;

▪ Learn about nutritional deficiencies;

▪ Understand the principles of healthy weight management;

▪ Understand the use and misuse of dietary supplements;

▪ Learn safe food preparation, handling, and storage; and

▪ Appreciate cultural diversity related to food and eating.

o Age-appropriate nutrition-related skills, including:

▪ Gather and analyze health information;

▪ Analyze nutrition information to plan and prepare a healthy meal;

▪ Understand and use food labels,

▪ Evaluate nutrition information, misinformation, and commercial food and advertising;  and

▪ Assess one’s personal eating habits, set goals for improvement, and achieve those  goals.

Physical Education and Physical Activity

Health and Physical Education Curriculum

It is the district’s position that all students have equal and equitable opportunities for health and  physical education in our schools. The District’s K-12 curriculum shall be in alignment with the  Washington State K-12 Learning Standards. The goals of the district are:

∙ All children, from kindergarten through grade 12, will participate in a quality, standards-based health and  physical education program;

∙ OSPI-developed assessments or other strategies will be used in Health and Fitness/Physical Education,  formerly known as classroom-based assessments (CBAs).

∙ The district will make appropriate accommodations to allow for equitable participation for all student and  will adapt physical education classes and equipment necessary. The district will ensure that any student  eligible for special education will be provided appropriate physical education services.

∙ All schools will have certificated physical education teachers providing instruction; and ∙ All schools will have appropriate class sizes, facilities, equipment, and supplies needed to deliver quality  physical education consistent with state and national standards.

A physical education curriculum includes instruction and practice in a variety of motor skills and  movement patterns; knowledge of concepts related to movement and performance; knowledge and  skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness; responsible  personal and social behavior; and values physical activity for health and enjoyment.

Physical Activity

All students (K-12) will participate in a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program. A  Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) is a multi-component approach by which  school districts and schools use all opportunities for students to be physically active and develop the  knowledge, skills, and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime. A CSPAP reflects strong  coordination and synergy across all of the components: quality physical education as the foundation,  physical activity before, during, and after school, staff involvement, and family and community  engagement.

Recess

Each school will offer physically active daily recess opportunities that align with state and national  recess recommendations and maintain safe and age-appropriate equipment to use during recess.  Recess monitors or teachers will encourage students to be active. Recess will complement, not  substitute for, physical education class.

Family and Community Involvement

In order to promote family and community involvement in supporting and reinforcing physical  education in the schools, the school principal is responsible for ensuring:

∙ Physical education activity ideas are sent home with students;

∙ Parents are encouraged to promote their child’s participation in the school’s physical education  programs and after school activities;

∙ Families are invited to attend and participate in physical education activity programs and health fairs; ∙ Physical education curriculum includes homework that students can do with their families; ∙ School staff consider the various cultural preferences in development of physical education programs;  and

∙ School staff are encouraged to cooperate with other agencies and community groups to provide  opportunities for students to participate in physical activity programs.

School District Facilities

Access to school sites will be provided through permitting use of facilities to community youth sports  groups consistent with the district’s facilities use policy, community college, and municipal joint use  agreements and partnerships with youth organizations so additional opportunities are available for all  youth in the community to participate in quality physical activity, fitness, sports, and recreation  programs.

Active Transport

The district will identify safe and active routes to and from school to promote alternative transport  methods for children, such as walking and bicycle programs. The district will encourage this behavior  by engaging and promoting activities such as:

∙ Designation of safe or preferred routes to school;

∙ Promotional activities such as participation in International Walk to School Week, National Walk and  Bike to School Week;

∙ Secure storage facilities for bicycles and helmets (e.g., shed, cage, fenced area); ∙ Instruction on walking/bicycling safety provided to students;

∙ Promotion of safe routes program to students, staff, and parents via newsletters, websites, local  newspaper; and

∙ Creation and distribution of maps of the school environment (e.g., sidewalks, crosswalks, roads,  pathways, bike racks, etc.).

Program Evaluation and Assessment

A plan for periodically measuring and making available to the public, including students, parents and  the community (e.g., as part of the district’s Annual Report) an assessment on the implementation of  the LSWP including:

∙ The extent to which schools under the jurisdiction of the District are in compliance with the wellness  policy;

∙ The extent to which the District’s wellness policy compares to the model Wellness School Assessment  Tool; and

∙ A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the District’s wellness policy.

Adoption Date: 6/17

Classification: Essential

Revised Dates: 11.04; 12.04; 02.05; 02.06; 10.07; 12.11; 02.14; 06.15