Child Nutrition and Wellness Policy: Community Input Survey
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Each year, we seek input from families and community members on Policy 7698: "Child Nutrition and Wellness." If you would take ten minutes to review the policy, and offer any feedback on the policy, we would be thankful.
Each year, we seek input from families and community members on Policy 7698: "Child Nutrition and Wellness." If you would take ten minutes to review the policy, and offer any feedback on the policy, we would be thankful.
Policy #7698
SUBJECT: CHILD NUTRITION AND WELLNESS POLICY
Purpose
It is the intent of the Rutland City Public School District to comply with the local policy requirements of the federal Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 and the Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). In keeping with the core competencies as identified in the Rutland City Public Schools Portrait of a Graduate, “RCPS graduates pursue healthy mental and physical lifestyles and promote communities where all may thrive while striving for balance.” In accord with those requirements, and the Portrait of a Graduate, this policy has been developed in consultation with parents, representatives of the school food services authority, school administrators, school health professionals and the public.
Policy Statement
It is the policy of the Rutland City Public School District to establish goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness. With the objective of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity, the district will also establish nutrition guidelines for all foods available at school during the school day.
I. Goals for Nutrition Promotion and Education.
A. The school district shall provide nutrition promotion and education programs as required by state law and regulations of the State Board of Education. In particular, the district shall provide a nutrition component in its Comprehensive Health Education program and shall develop curricular programs intended to accomplish applicable goals enumerated in the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities.
B. Nutrition education and promotion programs shall be conducted by appropriately licensed staff members.
C. Nutrition education and promotion shall be integrated into core curricula in areas, such as science and family and consumer science courses.
D. The district will limit food and beverage marketing to the promotion of only those foods and beverages that meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards on school campus.
II. Goals for Physical Education and Activity
A. The district shall provide physical education classes for all students as required by Education Quality Standards.
B. The district shall provide other physical activity opportunities for students through recess periods in appropriate grades and, as appropriate, before or after school activities such as interscholastic athletics and physical activity clubs or intramural sports.
III. Goals for Other School-Based Activities.
A. The district shall ensure that guidelines for reimbursable school meals are not less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to sections (a) and (b) of section 9A(a) and (b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act as those regulations and guidance apply to schools.
B. The district shall provide adequate space for eating and serving school meals.
C. The district shall provide a clean and safe meal environment for students.
D. The district shall establish meal periods that provide adequate time to eat and are scheduled at appropriate hours.
E. Food shall not be used in district schools as a reward or punishment.
F. The district’s food service vendor shall provide training opportunities as appropriate for food service and other staff members in areas of nutrition and wellness.
IV. Nutrition Guidelines.
A. All foods and beverages sold during the school day, defined as midnight until 30 minutes after the end of the school day, must meet Smart Snack standards as established by USDA.
B. The sale of foods during meal periods in food service areas shall be allowed only if all income from the sale, including the sale of approved foods or drinks from vending machines, accrues to the benefit of the school, the school food service program, or the student organizations sponsoring the sale.
C. The district shall ensure that foods offered at school other than through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast programs, including foods sold through vending machines, shall comply with the A la Carte and Vending Guidelines established by the Vermont Departments of Health and Agency of Education.
V. Policy Implementation.
A. The superintendent or his or her designee shall periodically monitor district programs and curriculum to ensure compliance with this policy and any administrative procedures established to carry out the requirements of this policy. The district shall periodically inform and update the public about the content and implementation of this policy, including the extent to which district schools are in compliance with this policy, the extent to which this policy compares to model local school wellness policies and a description of the progress made in attaining the goals of this policy.
B. The district shall permit parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators and the general public to participate in the development, implementation and periodic review and update of this policy.
The superintendent or his or her designee shall report at least annually to the board and to the public on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The report shall include information as to the content and implementation of this policy, and an assurance that district guidelines for reimbursable meals are not less restrictive than regulations and guidelines issued for schools in accordance with federal law.
Reviewed and Affirmed: |
May 9, 2023 |
Date Revised: |
September 8, 2020 and April 25, 2017 |
Legal Reference(s): |
16 V.S.A. §§131 & 906(b)(3). |
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Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq. |
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Child Nutrition Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq. |
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Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, Section 204 of Public Law 111-296. |
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Code of Federal Regulations, 7 CFR Part 210 and Part 220. |