Wellness Policy

STU-79

R-7/24/13

PITTSFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Pittsfield, Massachusetts

WELLNESS POLICY

I. STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Pittsfield Public School district is committed to affording students and staff with school environments that promote and protect children’s health, wellbeing, and ability to learn by supporting good nutrition, physical activity, and overall wellness.

It is the goal of the Pittsfield Public Schools to link school staff, administrators, parents and community members to serve as role models to set a healthy climate by promoting the longterm wellness of our children.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

It is hereby established as the policy of the Pittsfield Public Schools that:

The school district will seek to engage students, parents, teachers, food service professionals, and other interested community members in developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing districtwide nutrition and physical activity policies.
The school district is also committed to providing opportunities for all students in grades preK12 to promote and develop their physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing by providing support, encouragement and physical activity on a regular basis. See Massachusetts Health Frameworks.
Foods and beverages sold or served at school will meet or exceed the nutrition recommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA Regulations for School Meals, and Massachusetts School Nutrition Standards (105 CMR 225.000 PDF).
The school district will follow the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program regulations. These regulations prohibit foods of minimal nutritional value sold in competition with school meals in the food service area during breakfast and lunch periods. (see link for minimal nutritional value criteria).
The district will follow the Massachusetts School Nutrition Standards (105 CMR 225.000 PDF) regarding the sale of competitive foods (foods sold outside the school meal program).
All district schools will provide age appropriate nutrition education and physical education to foster lifelong habits of healthy eating/good nutrition and physical activity. Each school will establish linkages/connections between health education and school meal programs and related community services.

NUTRITION EDUCATION AND WELLNESS PROMOTION

The Pittsfield School Department shall strive to provide nutrition education to all students in grades preK12. In addition, the Pittsfield Public Schools will strive toward integrating nutrition into a coordinated school health approach.

Nutrition education will include the following components:

Nutrition integrated into curriculum: Students will receive nutrition education that fosters the adoption and maintenance of healthy eating behavior.
Parent Education: Nutrition education will be provided to parents. (see Appendix page)
Community Health Promotion Activities: These may include health fairs, informational booths, etc.
An overall school environment that is consistent with promoting the goal of healthy eating and wellness.
Nutrition promotion by School Food Service through marketing and modeling. This may include school menus, posters, nutritional themes and newsletters. The marketing of unhealthful food choices is strongly discouraged on school grounds.
School personnel to serve as role models and advocates for health and wellness.

III. STANDARDS FOR USDA CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND SCHOOL MEALS

Supervision/Standards

A qualified, certified and/or credentialed Director of Food Service shall have oversight of school meal programs and shall ensure that meals meet federal nutrition standards. Guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall meet or exceed federal regulations.

Food Safety/Training

To minimize the risk of foodborne illness in schools, ALL food service, preparation, storage must comply with the 1990 Federal Food Code and CMR 590.000. Mass Food Code and

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points

The Food Service Director shall provide food safety training for all food service employees. Food Service procedures in school shall comply with the Pittsfield Public School’s Severe and Life threatening Allergies Policy. (Enclosed in the Policy Handbook for Parents & Students)

Mealtimes and Scheduling.

The district shall operate under USDA regulations for school food programs (ie. School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Special Milk Program and Summer Food Service Program).

The school district will:

a. provide students with access to a variety of affordable nutritious, and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students and USDA guidelines;

b. acknowledge the religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the student body in meal planning;

c. provide clean, safe, and pleasant settings in which students may eat;

d. afford a sufficient amount of time for students to eat; and

e. provide information on the nutritional content of meals for students and parents.

IV. NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR COMPETITIVE AND OTHER FOOD AND BEVERAGES (Outside of school meals program)

The school district will follow:

● Massachusetts Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods and Beverages in Public Schools (PDF)

● Pittsfield Board of Health

● Pittsfield Public School’s Severe and LifeThreatening Allergies (Enclosed in the Policy Handbook for Parents & Students)

These policies address all foods and beverages sold/provided to students, including those available outside of school meal programs on school grounds/and/or at school sponsored events. This includes events that occur 30 minutes before, during and 30 minutes after the school day.

These standards shall apply, but not be limited to, cafeteria à la carte sales, vending machines, school stores, concessions, athletic events and school day celebrations and fundraising activities. Fundraising activities will strive to support healthy eating and wellness. (See appendix for alternative suggestions, ex. John Stalker Institute of Food A List PDF). Elementary and middle schools shall prohibit the use of vending machines for providing

Massachusetts School Nutrition Bill At A Glance (effective 8/1/12)

Mass Nutrition Standards At-A-Glance

Students and staff will have access to free, safe, and fresh drinking water throughout the school day.

School Day Celebrations

● Schools shall limit celebrations that involve food to no more than one per class per month. Foods and beverages served at school will meet or exceed the nutrition recommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDARegulations for School Meals, and Massachusetts School Nutrition Standards (105 CMR 225.000 PDF)

● Celebrations in schools should follow the Pittsfield Public School’s Severe and LifeThreatening Allergies Policy.

● Cultural enrichment Staff members who are planning to serve food as part of a cultural enrichment curriculum activity should contact the Pittsfield Public School’s food director or school culinary programs for food preparation suggestions and food safety guidelines.

● Pittsfield Public Schools employees and volunteers shall not use foods or beverages as rewards in the classroom for academic performance or good behavior; nor shall they withhold food or beverages, including food served through school meals, as a punishment.

V. PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

School Environment - schools are encouraged to:

● Create a school environment that is conducive to being physically active

● Provide opportunities, encouragement, and support for all students to be physically active on a regular basis to help develop skills, behaviors, and confidence needed to be physically active for life.

● Use school facilities for additional physical activity/programs. Physical Education

Physical education in the Pittsfield Public Schools grades preK12 shall adhere to the National Association For Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education standards (Massachusetts standards) and be sequential, building skills and knowledge from year to year. The content of physical education classes shall include personal fitness and socially responsible behavior. Students in the district’s physical education classes shall demonstrate competency through application of knowledge, skill, and practice. Students will spend at least

80% of physical education time on moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Physical education will be taught by instructors who are licensed in Massachusetts. The Pittsfield Public Schools shall provide staff with adequate training in PE, and ensure that staff receive professional development on a yearly basis.

● Elementary students should be given opportunities for physical activity during every school day through at least 20 minutes of daily recess periods, physical education classes, walking programs and the integration of physical education/wellness into academic classes. (See appendix for ABC for Fitness) All elementary school students shall have daily recess. Recess time in inclement weather will include physical activity and organized movement.

● Middle and high schools shall offer physical education classes and afterschool intramural programs and/or physical activity clubs that meet the needs and interests of ALL students, including those who are not athletically gifted and those with special healthcare needs. Each school shall communicate these offerings to students and families.

● Four years of physical education are required for graduation at the high school level. Waivers for physical education classes are prohibited unless for medical exemptions.

● Recess and other physical activities shall not be taken away as a form of punishment.

● School environment should be conducive to students being physically active.

● The district is encouraged to promote the use of school facilities outside of school hours for physical activity programs offered by communitybased organizations.

VI. STAFF WELLNESS

The Pittsfield Public School System recognizes the connection between job performance, attendance, and the health and well being of every staff member. Staff members are encouraged to model and maintain a lifestyle of health and wellness.

VII. EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY SCHOOL WELLNESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Advisory Committee Meetings & Composition

The Committee’s membership shall include representatives from a wide range of school health related disciplines. All members are to be appointed by the school district superintendent, and one of these members should serve as a liaison between the committee and the superintendent. To the maximum extent possible, shall reflect the cultural, linguistic, and ethnic composition of the community. The group should include:

● School health professionals

● Physical education teachers

● School food authority representatives

● Parents

● Students

● School Board

● Community youth-serving agencies

● School administrators

In addition, local board of health, physicians, teachers, health educators, mental health, law enforcement, and members of the public should be invited to join the committee.

Role of the Advisory Committee

The Superintendent of Schools shall establish and maintain a districtwide School Wellness Advisory Committee. The Committee shall be advisory to the Superintendent and her/his designee(s) and shall:

a. meet a minimum of four times annually, record attendance, and keep minutes of the meetings;

b. establish and monitor implementation plan throughout the district;

c. evaluate progress in meeting the policy’s general goals. In addition, the Advisory Committee shall meet at least annually to review nutrition and physical activity policies of the district , and evidence on student health impact;

d. inform and update the public (including parents, students, and others in the community) about the content and implementation of the local wellness policy;

e. serve as a resource to programs and activities that are related to this policy;

f. review and make recommendations for revisions as necessary; and

g. prepare an annual report for the Superintendent and School Committee. This report shall include a review of the committee’s membership and participation; a summary of the committee’s activities; a list of measurable goals and objectives; an evaluation of the accomplishments, and action plan for the upcoming year.

VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

General Responsibilities

The Superintendent or her/his designee(s) will ensure compliance with established wellness policy. It shall be the responsibility of the principal or the principal’s designee(s) to ensure each school’s compliance with this policy. The principal of each school shall report on their compliance with the policy to the Superintendent or her/his designee.

Food Service Compliance

The Superintendent shall ensure that school food service staff at the school and district levels comply with nutrition policies within school food service areas.

Triennial Report

The Superintendent or her/his designee(s) shall develop a summary report every three years on the Pittsfield Public Schools’ compliance with these policies and any policy directly related to this policy’s objectives, as described in Section II, above. Said report shall be based on reliable information received from schools within the district. The Superintendent’s report will be provided to the school committee and also directed to the Director of Food Services, all school principals, and school health personnel in the district. Based on this report, the policy shall be revised as necessary.