WELLNESS
As required by law, the Board of Education establishes the following wellness policy for the Northwest Allen County School Corporation.
The Board recognizes that good nutrition and regular physical activity affect the health and well being of the Corporation's students. Furthermore, research suggests that there is a positive correlation between a student's health and well being and his/her ability to learn. Moreover, schools can play an important role in the developmental process by which students establish their health and nutrition habits by providing nutritious meals and snacks through the schools' meal programs, by supporting the development of good eating habits, and by promoting increased physical activity both in and out of school.
The Board, however, believes this effort to support the students' development of healthy behaviors and habits with regard to eating and exercise cannot be accomplished by the schools alone. It will be necessary for not only the staff, but also parents and the public at large to be involved in a community-wide effort to promote, support, and model such healthy behaviors and habits.
The Board sets the following goals in an effort to enable students to establish good health and nutrition habits:
A. With regard to nutrition education, the Corporation shall:

1. Nutrition education shall be included in the Health curriculum so that instruction is sequential and standards-based and provides students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to lead healthy lives.
2. Nutrition education shall be included in the sequential, comprehensive Health curriculum in accordance with the curriculum standards and benchmarks established by the State.
3. Nutrition education shall be integrated into other subject areas of the curriculum, when appropriate, to complement, but not replace, the standards and benchmarks for health education.
4. Nutrition education shall extend beyond the classroom by engaging and involving the school's food service staff.
5. Nutrition education posters, such as the My Plate, will be displayed in the cafeteria.
6. Nutrition education shall reinforce lifelong balance by emphasizing the link between caloric intake (eating) and exercise in ways that are age-appropriate.
7. Nutrition education standards and benchmarks promote the benefits of a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, and low-fat and fat-free dairy products.
8. Schools are members of the USDA Team Nutrition Program.

B. With regard to physical education, the Corporation shall:

1. A sequential, comprehensive physical education program shall be provided for students in K-12 in accordance with the standards and benchmarks established by the State.
2. Physical education classes shall provide students with opportunities to learn, practice, and be assessed on developmentally appropriate motor skills and social skills, as well as knowledge.
3. The sequential, comprehensive physical education curriculum shall stress the importance of remaining physically active for life.

C. With regard to other school-based activities the Corporation shall:

1. The school shall provide attractive, clean environments in which the students eat.
2. The schools may provide opportunities for staff, parents, and other community members to model healthy eating habits by dining with students in the school dining areas.

Furthermore, with the objectives of enhancing student health and well being, and reducing childhood obesity, the following guidelines are established:
A. In accordance with Policy 8500, entitled Food Service, the food service program shall comply with Federal and State regulations pertaining to the selection, preparation, consumption, and disposal of food and beverages as well as to the fiscal management of the program.
B. As set forth in Policy 8531, entitled Free and Reduced Price Meals, the guidelines for reimbursable school meals are not less restrictive than the guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
C. The food service program will provide all students affordable access to the varied and nutritious foods they need to be healthy and to learn well.
D. All foods available to students in the dining area during school food service hours may comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including competitive foods available to student a la carte or from vending machines.
E. The food service program shall be administered by a qualified nutrition professional.
F. Continuing professional development shall be provided for all staff of the food service program.
G. School menus are followed and analyzed using USDA-approved software.
H. NACS Food Service Nutrition Guidelines are established for foods available on the school campus, during the school day.
The Board designates the Superintendent as the individual charged with operational responsibility for measuring and evaluating the Corporation's implementation and progress under this policy. The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines necessary to implement this policy
The Superintendent shall report on the Corporation's compliance with this policy and the progress toward achieving the goals set forth herein when requested to do so by the Board.
42 U.S.C. 1751, Sec. 204
42 U.S.C. 1771
Adopted 6/19/06


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