WELLNESS POLICY

Scientific research has identified a positive relationship among adequate nutrition, physical activity, and academic success.  Moreover, poor nutrition can place students at a higher risk of diabetes, obesity, and other health ailments.

For these reasons the Nashua School District shall provide students with healthy food choices and physical activities while in school.

Purpose and Goals

School leaders shall prepare, adopt, and implement a comprehensive plan to encourage healthy choices for students. In particular, students shall expect:

• Pleasant and safe eating areas with an adequate amount of time for eating.

• A systematic wellness program that integrates nutrition education into the health, physical education, guidance, and Family & Consumer Sciences curriculum, and that is coordinated with health and guidance services and the Food Service Program.

• An overall school environment before, during and after school hours that encourages students to make healthy food choices, develops healthy eating habits, and promotes opportunities for physical activity.

• Staff who are sensitive to, and promote the nutritional needs and interests of all students.

• Collaboration with community resources to develop strategies for educating all families and the community about healthy eating choices.

The Food Service Program

The Food Service Program shall provide healthy food choices for students.  In particular, the Food Service Program shall:

·        Ensure that meals offered through all school feeding programs meet federal nutrition standards.

·        Adopt policies and menus ensuring that all foods and beverages available on school campuses contribute toward eating patterns that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

·        Encourage partnerships with the educational community through Team Nutrition in schools.

Other Food Choices at School

Students' eating habits are greatly influenced by the types of food and beverages that are available to them, not only through the Food Service Program but also through the sale of foods and beverages in such locations as school stores and vending machines. 

All food items sold to students in these locations by the School District shall meet or exceed the NH School Vending Guidelines as approved by the NH Healthy School Coalition.

All beverages sold to students in these locations by the School District shall meet the following guidelines:

·          Juices

o         100% fruit and vegetable juice only

o         16 oz. or smaller container

·          Water

o         Pure water, nothing added

·          Milk

o         2% fat or less

o         4 grams per ounce or less total sugars (i.e., lactose and added sweetener)

o         10-16 oz. container

·          Flavored Water

o         Not carbonated unless exempted by the USDA

o         No caffeine

o         Minimum 5% RDA of specified nutrients (Vitamin C, Vitamin A, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, calcium and iron)

o         No more than 10 calories per 8 oz. serving from sugar or other calorie sweeteners

o         Only non-caloric sweeteners approved by USDA

·          Sports Beverages (available after the last instructional period of the day)

Any food or beverages sold in competition with the Food Service Program from these locations must meet state and federal regulations regarding competitive food sales.

School related groups such as PTOs, booster clubs, and student organizations are encouraged to adhere to these guidelines.  School staffs are also expected to follow these guidelines in school and classroom celebrations, fundraising, and to utilize other alternatives to food as performance incentives.

Implementation and Evaluation

·        All nutrition and physical education programs and school stores will be monitored and assessed regularly in conjunction with other District academic and health-related programs. Using student health and fitness performance standards and State physical fitness and health tests, student progress will be analyzed and assessed. 

·        The Health and Safety Advisory Committees throughout the Nashua School District will evaluate data and measure compliance to this Wellness Policy.

·        Teachers and parents will be provided appropriate communication and education opportunities to insure and encourage compliance in this wellness effort.

·        School Principals will ensure that a coordinated effort exists within their schools to implement and monitor compliance with this wellness policy.

·        The Director of Human Resources/Chairperson of the Health and Safety Committee will establish a plan for the implementation and evaluation of this district-wide policy and report annually to the School Board on the District’s compliance with this policy.

Bd. Approved:  7.19.04

Rev. Bd. Approved:  6.26.06

 (Policy name changed from Healthy Nutrition to Wellness Policy)