School Wellness

Pursuant to federal law, the following parties have jointly developed this school wellness policy: Ellicott School District #22 accountability committee, science teachers, health teachers, students, food service personnel, administration and the Board of Education.

The Board promotes healthy schools by supporting student wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning environment. Schools contribute to the basic health status of students by facilitating learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity.

Improved health optimizes student performance potential, as children who eat well-balanced meals and are healthy are more likely to learn in the classroom.

The district will establish and maintain a district-wide Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Council. The purposes of the council shall be to monitor the implementation of this policy, evaluate the district’s progress on this policy’s goals, serve as a resource to schools (i.e. provide lists of healthy incentives, snacks, etc.) and recommend revisions to this policy as the council deems necessary and/or appropriate.

To further the Board’s beliefs stated above, the Board adopts the following goals:

Goal #1. The district will provide a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong wellness behaviors.

The entire school environment, not just the classroom, shall be aligned with healthy school goals to positively influence a student’s understanding, beliefs and habits as they relate to good nutrition and regular physical activity. Such learning environments will teach students to use appropriate resources and tools to make informed and educated decisions about lifelong healthy eating habits and beneficial physical activity. The goal of providing a comprehensive learning environment shall be accomplished by:

• The adoption of a district academic standard for health and nutrition education that teaches students about the effects of nutrition and physical activity on their health.
• The provision of age-appropriate and culturally sensitive instruction to students that teaches them lifelong healthy eating habits and a healthy level of physical activity.

• The availability of nutrition education in the school cafeteria as well as the classroom, with coordination between the district’s food services staff and teachers.
• Active promotion of healthy eating and physical activity to students, parents, school staff, and the community at school registration, parent-teacher meetings, open houses, staff in-services, etc.

Goal #2. The district will support and promote proper dietary habits contributing to students’ health status and academic performance.

All foods and beverages available on school grounds and at school-sponsored activities shall meet or exceed the district’s nutrition standards. All schools participating in the School Breakfast and/or National School Lunch Program shall comply with any state and federal rules or regulations regarding competitive food service and the service of Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value, as defined by the USDA.

The goal of supporting and promoting proper dietary habits shall be accomplished by:

• Adoption of district nutrition standards that limit the amount of fat and sugar content and limit portion sizes.
• A requirement that all students have access to fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day.
• A requirement that all students have access to healthful food choices in appropriate portion sizes throughout the school day, including healthful meals in the school cafeteria with an adequate time to eat; healthful items in vending machines, and healthful items for fundraisers, classroom parties, and rewards in the schools.
• A restriction on student access to vending machines, school stores, and other venues that contain foods of minimal nutritional value.
• The adoption of rules specifying the time and place at which competitive foods may be sold on school property to encourage the selection of healthful food choices by students.
• A restriction on using food as a discipline or reward for students.
• An assurance that the school cafeteria is as pleasant an eating environment as possible.
• An encouragement that at any school function (parties, celebrations, receptions, festivals, sporting events, etc.), healthy food choice options be made available to students.
• The encouragement of nonfood fundraisers such as flowers, gift-wrap, sporting events, and family fun events.

Goal #3. The district will provide more opportunities for students to engage in physical activity.

A quality physical education program is an essential component for all students to learn about and participate in physical activity. Physical activity shall be included in a school’s daily education program from grades pre-kindergarten through 12.

Physical activity should include regular instructional physical education, in accordance with the district’s academic standards, and may include, but need not be limited to exercise programs, fitness breaks, recess, field trips that include physical activity and classroom activities that include physical activity.

The goal of providing more opportunities for students to engage in physical activity shall be accomplished by:

• A requirement that periods of physical activity be provided for elementary students in accordance with policy JLJ*, Physical Activity  and  consistent with requirements of state law.
• A requirement or encouragement that periods of physical activity be at least 225 minutes per week for secondary students.
• A requirement that all students have access to age-appropriate daily physical activity.
• Opportunities for physical activity through a range of after-school programs including intramurals, interscholastic athletics, and physical activity through metro programs.
• Opportunities for physical activity during the school day through daily recess periods, elective physical education classes, walking programs, and the integration of physical activity into the academic curriculum.
• An encouragement that secondary schools administer a health-related fitness assessment to students to help students determine their own level of fitness and create their own fitness goals and plans.

Adopted: July 19, 2006

Revised: January 21, 2010

Revised: May 10, 2018

LEGAL REFS.:        Section 204 of P.L. 111-296 (Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010) 7 C.F.R. Parts 201, 210 and 220 (local school wellness policy requirements)

C.R.S. 22-32-134.5 (healthy beverages requirement)

C.R.S. 22-32-136 (policies to improve children’s nutrition and wellness)

C.R.S. 22-32-136.3 (trans fat ban)

C.R.S. 22-32-136.5 (3)(a) and (b) (physical activity requirement)

1 CCR 301-79 (State Board of Education – healthy beverages rules)

CROSS REFS.: EF, Food Services