(a) Instruction. Nutrition Standards. Student Nutrition and Physical Activity School Wellness Policy. School Meals

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1 (a) Student Nutrition and Physical Activity School Wellness Policy It is the policy of Regional School District No. 16 that we are committed to provide a school environment that promotes and protects students health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity. Students in Grades K-12 will have the opportunity, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis. In accordance with federal and state law, it is the policy of the Board of Education to provide students access to healthy foods and beverages; provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity; and require all meals served by the District meet or exceed the federal nutritional guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Connecticut Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools, whichever are greater. In developing goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other schoolbased activities that promote student wellness, the District will, as required, review and consider evidence-based strategies and techniques. Nutrition Standards School Meals The district s school lunch and kindergarten milk program will follow the federal dietary guidelines for Americans and comply with federal, state and local requirements. Regional School District No. 16 supports the philosophy of the National School Lunch and Special Milk Programs and shall provide wholesome and nutritious meals for the students in the district s schools. In addition to meeting USDA s nutrition standards for meals, Regional School District No. 16 s School Nutrition Program shall place an emphasis on offering its students a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk, and whole grain items daily. Food preparation will place a strong emphasis on using the low-fat methods for preparing all foods offered to students. Students will be offered and schools will promote nutritious food choices consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and My Plate, published jointly by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education ( Connecticut Nutrition Standards for Foods in /schools ) in addition to federal and state statutes and national health organizations. The focus is on moderating calories, limiting fats, sodium and sugars and increasing consumption of nutrient-rich goods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats and legumes. In addition, in order to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity, the Superintendent or designee shall establish such administrative procedures to control food and beverage sales that compete with the District s nonprofit food service in compliance with the Child Nutrition Act. The District shall prohibit the sale of foods of minimal nutritional value as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will ensure that all foods sold to students separately from school meals meet the Connecticut Nutrition Standards. All beverages sold or served to students on school premises will be healthy choices that meet the requirements of state statute and USDA beverage requirements. (Schools must follow whichever requirements are stricter). Foods sold in the School Nutrition Program will not be deep fried. Attention will be made to limit the sodium content of foods. Consult the CSDE s List of Acceptable Foods and Beverages for allowable products. Foods that meet the CT Nutrition

2 (b) School Meals (cont d) Standards meet or exceed the USDA s competitive food standards. Listed beverages will meet both federal and state requirements. In order to increase participation in the Regional School District No. 16 School Meals Program, menus shall be planned to be appealing and attractive to children. Students will have the opportunity to sample new foods offered; menus will be sent home and featured on the district s website. The School Nutrition Department will also encourage suggestions from a variety of sources including parents, health officials and student groups. The school district shall help ensure that all children have breakfast, either at home or at school, in order to meet their nutritional needs and enhance their ability to learn. With appropriate medical documentation, modified meals shall be prepared for students with food allergies or other dietary needs. Other Foods and Beverages Sold During the School Day To support children s health and safety, school nutrition-education efforts and ensure the safety of children with food allergies, food and beverage items sold to students during the school day must meet the district s nutrition standards and Section q Connecticut General Statute Sale of Beverages. All competitive foods and beverages sold during the school instructional day will progressively meet the recommended nutrition standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education Child Nutrition Program. Based on Section b-23 CT Statute, the district may not allow any group, such as the PTO, school store, or school clubs to sell or distribute any food or beverage anywhere on school premises from thirty minutes prior to the start of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program and up until thirty minutes after the end of the last lunch wave. Any income from the sale of such food or beverage distributed anywhere on school premises during this time frame shall accrue to the School Nutrition Program. The sale of candy will not be permitted on school grounds at any time. In addition, all foods outside of the National School Lunch Program sold to students during the school day shall meet the district s and state s recommended nutrition standards. This includes foods sold ala carte, from vending machines, school stores, clubs and food and beverages from any source. Agreements with food or vending companies to sell foods or beverages in schools shall ensure that contractors will follow the district s nutrition standards and the Connecticut General Statute Section q-Sale of Beverages. The brand marketing of unhealthful foods and beverages shall be prohibited throughout the school district, and the school district may choose to promote branded products that are healthy choices that meet the district s nutrition standards. Connecticut General Statute Section q - Sale of Beverages regulates the sale of beverages sold to students in all public schools during the school day. Beverages for sale to students must be limited to the following five categories:

3 (c) Nutrition Guidelines for Other Foods and Beverages Sold During the School Day (cont d.) 1. Milk, only low-fat or skimmed, that may be flavored but contain no artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols or added sodium and no more than four grams of sugar per fluid ounce; (federal regulation require milk to be non-fat or low-fat 1%)* 2. Nondairy milk substitutes, such as soy or rice milk, that may be flavored but contain no artificial sweeteners, non-nutritive sweetening agents, sugar alcohols, added sodium, and no more than four (4) grams of sugar per fluid ounce, no more than thirty-five percent (35%) of calories from fat per serving and no more than ten (10%) percent of calories from saturated fat per serving*; 3. One hundred percent (100%)fruit juice, vegetable juice or a combination of such juices, containing no added sugars, sweeteners, artificial sweeteners or sodium*; 4. Beverages that contain only water and fruit or vegetable juice and have no added sugars, sweeteners or artificial sweeteners, or sodium and that meet the nutrition requirements pursuant to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, P.L , as amended from time to time;* and; 5. Water, that may be flavored but must contain no added sugars, sweeteners, artificial sweeteners, sodium or caffeine.* *Consult the CSDE s List of Acceptable Foods and Beverages for allowable products. Foods that meet the Connecticut Nutrition Standards meet or exceed the USDA s competitive food standards. Listed beverages will meet both federal and state requirements. Portion sizes of beverages specified above are limited to no more than 8 fluid ounces for students in grades K-5 inclusive and 12 fluid ounces for students in grades 6-12 inclusive except water, which is unlimited. Beverages that are not specified in Connecticut General Statute Section q and foods that do not meet district nutrition standards may only be sold to students at school if exempted by the local Board of Education and only if three conditions are met: 1. The sale is in connection with an *event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend; 2. The sale is at the location of the *event; 3. The beverages are not sold from a vending machine or school store. *An event is an occurrence that involves more than just a regularly scheduled practice, meeting, or extracurricular activity. Event examples include athletic games, theater productions. Examples of non-events that do not qualify for the food and beverage exemption are athletic or fine arts practices, meetings, or rehearsals. Students shall have access to free drinking water in the form of water fountains in the school facilities.

4 (d) Other Foods and Beverages Sold During the School Day (cont d.) Fundraising Activities To support children s health and school nutrition-education efforts, school fundraising activities shall not involve food or should use food items that meet the district nutrition standards. Beverages shall meet the Connecticut General Statute Section q. Schools will encourage fundraising activities that promote health, wellness and physical activity. Non-food and beverage fundraising activity ideas shall be made available in each of the district s schools. Any fundraising activity requires prior administrative approval. All fund-raising activities that include the selling of food or beverages to students during the school day must meet the Connecticut General Statute Section q Sale of Beverages and the district s nutrition standards which follow the current federal and state guidelines. Organizations that hold fundraising activities that offer food and beverages for sale to students after the school day must follow the three condition exemption: 1. The sale is in connection with an *event; 2. The sale is at the location of the *event; 3. The foods and/or beverages are not sold from a vending machine or school store. School fundraiser concessions after the school day or on the weekend must include healthy food choices in their offerings such as water, 100% juice, fresh or dried fruits and/or vegetables, and snacks that meet the district s nutrition standards. District nutrition standards shall follow the current federal and state guidelines. *Event examples: Athletic games, theater productions. Examples of non-events that do not qualify for the food and beverage exemption: Athletic or Fine Arts practices, meetings, or rehearsals. Other Foods and Beverages Distributed Throughout the School Day Classroom Celebrations Providing healthy and safe classroom celebrations demonstrates a school commitment to promoting healthy behaviors. It supports the classroom lessons students are learning about health, instead of contradicting them. Healthy celebrations promote positive lifestyle choices to reduce student health risks and improve learning. When parents send in homemade food, it is difficult to ensure that the food is safe from bacterial contamination and safe for those students with food allergies. It also violates the Board of Health regulations regarding homemade foods. Regional School District No. 16 will not allow food or beverages for classroom celebrations such as birthday parties. A list of many non-food alternatives will be available in each of the district s schools and on our website

5 (e) Other Foods and Beverages Distributed throughout the School Day (cont d) To enhance food safety, food and beverages to be distributed to the student population must be purchased and obtained through a licensed food vendor and must be commercially prepared, prepackaged, unopened, and, when possible, individually wrapped. Not more than an average of once per quarter school-sponsored events that distribute food or beverages to students during the school day may be approved at the discretion of the building principal. According to Board of Health regulations, homemade food or beverage items are not allowed to be served to the general student population. Teacher to Student Incentive Programs The Use of Food and Beverages as a Reward Children learn preferences for foods made available to them, including those that are unhealthy. Poor food choices and inadequate physical activity contribute to overweight and obesity. Children naturally enjoy eating healthy and being physically active. Schools need to provide them with an entire school environment that supports healthy behaviors. Food, beverages, and candy are commonly used in schools to reward good behavior and academic performance. Often these foods have little or no nutritional value and are inconsistent with the nutrition policies for food and beverages sold and offered to students during the school day. Rewarding students with candy, food and beverages of little nutritional value contradicts the teaching and modeling of behaviors and skills that promote student wellness. Regional School District No. 16 requires that teachers use reward incentives other than food, candy and beverages (except if it is waived in a student s Individual Education Plan IEP). Nonfood items or activities can support good health while recognizing students for their achievements or good behavior. In addition, the withholding of food as a student punishment is not allowed. Marketing Branded Food and Beverages to Students during the School Day Regional School District No. 16 shall allow marketing and advertising of only those foods and beverages that are approved by the State Healthy Food Certification, the Connecticut Beverage Statute and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. Lunchroom Climate Students shall have access to hand-washing facilities before meals. Regional School District No. 16 shall provide an environment that is safe, clean, and comfortable, allows ample time for eating meals (at least twenty minutes), implements and consistently enforces rules for safe behavior, and offers appropriate supervision at lunch and recess time. The school district shall make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals. The school food service program shall aim to be financially self-supporting.

6 (f) Professional Standards for all School Nutrition Employees Hiring Standards for New School Nutrition Program Directors as required by USDA: Minimum Education Standards for a newly hired Region 16 School Nutrition Director (as required by USDA standards). Bachelor s degree or equivalent educational experience, with academic major in specific areas or Bachelor s degree in any academic major, and staterecognized certificate for school nutrition directors or bachelor s degree in any academic major, and at least 1(one) year of relevant school nutrition programs experience or Associates degree or equivalent educational experience, with academic major in specific areas, at least 1 year of relevant school nutrition programs experience or High School diploma (or GED) and at least 3 years of relevant experience in school nutrition programs. In addition, at least 8 hours of food safety training is required not more than 5 years prior to his/her starting date or completed within 30 days of the employees start date. School Nutrition employees shall be required to attend a Sanitation and Safety Seminar each school year as offered by the district s School Nutrition Department. School Nutrition Managers and Assistant Managers must possess a current Qualified Food Operator (QFO) license through the local Board of Health. All School Nutrition employees are encouraged to attain a QFO license, and the district s School Nutrition Program shall reimburse its employees for a successful outcome in said course. The district s School Nutrition Program shall offer training through a variety of educational forums. School Nutrition employees are encouraged to participate in formal and continuing nutrition education courses and opportunities offered in district, out of district, and through the School Nutrition Association educational opportunities. School Nutrition employees are encouraged to obtain and maintain a certification from the School Nutrition Association. School Nutrition Managers and Assistant Managers shall ensure that the kitchen facility follows the federal HAACP program as required by USDA. School Nutrition Staff and substitute workers shall be trained in the HAACP sanitation and safety procedures by the School Nutrition Manager and Assistant Manager. All foods available at school shall comply with state and local food safety and sanitation regulations. Training Standards for all School Nutrition Employees (as required by USDA) School Nutrition Directors, Managers, Assistant Managers, Union and Non-Union General Workers must receive annual training and continuing education credits as designated by USDA regulations.

7 (g) Nutrition Information for School Meals Nutrition information for the district s school meals will be available on the written monthly menu sent home via the classroom, available in the school office, and on the district s website. More detailed reports such as calorie and carbohydrate information of school lunch items will be available on the district s website and updated monthly. Family and Community Involvement in Nutrition Standards Nutrition education materials and school menus are made available to parents through the district s website, and the printed menu is distributed to students in the classroom and available in the school office. Parents are encouraged to promote their child s participation in the school meals program. When their child does not participate in the school meals program, the school district shall encourage families to pack healthy lunches and snacks and to refrain from sending their children to school with sweetened or artificially sweetened, high fat, high sodium foods and beverages. Nutrition education curriculum includes homework that students can do with their families, such as reading and interpreting food labels, preparing healthy recipes, etc. The district s website shall include links to nutrition sites for each age group, including adults. District staff is encouraged to participate with other agencies and community groups to provide opportunities for student projects related to nutrition. Staff Wellness The school district shall disseminate information, build awareness, provide health education, and support health-promoting activities that focus on skill development and lifestyle behavior change for staff members. Staff shall have access to facilities that meet employee wellness needs and interests. All use of tobacco by students, staff members and visitors shall be prohibited on school grounds. Social and physical environments shall be safe and supportive, supported by district expectations of healthy behaviors and implementation of policies that promote health and safety and reduce the risk of disease. The staff wellness program shall be integrated into district and school culture and structure. Nutrition Education and Promotion The school district will provide nutrition education to foster life-long habits of healthy eating. Nutrition education shall be based on current science, research, national guidelines, and national and state standards. Nutrition education shall be a part of comprehensive standards-based school health education program and curriculum and shall also be included in other classroom content areas such as math, science, language arts, social sciences, family and consumer sciences and elective subjects.

8 (h) Nutrition Education (cont d) When nutrition education is linked with other content areas, children have daily exposure to nutrition concepts and messages. An interdisciplinary approach to nutrition education reinforces what children are learning. Nutrition concepts are easily linked with a variety of content areas. (A standards-based program is a system of instruction, assessment, grading and reporting based on students demonstrating understanding of the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn). The nutrition education program shall link with the school meal programs, other school foods, and nutrition-related community services that occur outside the classroom or that link classroom nutrition education to the larger school community, such as school gardens, cafeteria-based nutrition education, and after-school programs. The school district shall include appropriate training for teachers and other staff members. Appropriate training provides the necessary skills to allow teachers to provide quality nutrition education programs. Training should address developmentally and culturally appropriate content and teaching strategies. The school district shall assess all nutrition education lessons and materials for accuracy, completeness, balance, and consistency with state and district educational goals and curriculum standards. School instructional staff members shall collaborate with agencies and groups conducting nutrition education in the community to send consistent messages to students and their families. The school district shall conduct nutrition education activities and promotions that involve parents, students, and the community. The school district shall build awareness among teachers, food service staff, coaches, nurses and other school staff members about the importance of nutrition, physical activity and body-size acceptance to achieve academic success and lifelong wellness. The school district s staff members shall be encouraged to model healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. Pre-K-Grade 3 shall integrate nutrition and health topics into the curriculum. The school district shall allot 20 contact hours of health in Grades 4-11 on topics that address health and nutrition. The district s high school students may enroll in additional health, nutrition or culinary courses and shall receive appropriate credit. Physical Activity It is the policy of Region 16 that we teach all students, and we are committed to providing a school environment that promotes and protects students health and well being through supporting physical education, fitness, activity and recess. Students in Grades K-12 will have the opportunity, support, and encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis through physical education and recess. It is the policy of Region 16 to follow and enforce all aspects of these guidelines.

9 (i) Physical Activity (cont d) All the school district s students in Grades PK-12, including students with disabilities, with special health-care needs, and in alternative educational settings, shall receive daily physical activities for the entire school year. All the school district s Grades K-5 students shall have at least 20 minutes a day of supervised recess, preferably outdoors, during which schools should encourage moderate to vigorous physical activity except when a planning and placement team may develop a different schedule for a child requiring special education and related services. Schools will work toward providing sixty minutes of physical activity daily for students (as a best practice). The school district s middle and high school shall offer extracurricular physical activity programs, such as physical activity clubs or intramural programs. Teachers and other school district personnel shall not use physical activity or exercise (e.g., running laps and doing pushups) or withhold opportunities for physical activity, such as recess and physical education, as a punishment. The school district s school facilities shall be available to students, staff and community members before, during and after the school day and on weekends based on availability. The current school district s Use of School Facility form must be submitted and approved prior to use by any group. The school district shall waive the usage fee for district employees participating in district wellness-sponsored events. The school district s students shall be provided with opportunities for physical activity in addition to physical education. The school district shall offer recess time for Grades 1-8. The school district shall make available physical activity opportunities for district employees. For example, exercise classes or weight control programs may be available for school district employees with the school use facility fee waived. Physical Education The school district shall follow state standards and ensure that each school has a district-wide curriculum for physical education. A certified, highly-qualified physical education teacher shall teach all physical education.

10 (j) School Health Education Comprehensive school health education shall be taught by certified, highly qualified, effective teachers. The school district shall have guidelines for the development, review and adoption of curriculum. The school district s comprehensive school health education shall be offered as part of a planned, ongoing, systematic, sequential and standards-based program and be administered in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes 10-16b, Prescribed courses of study; 10-19, Teaching about alcohol, nicotine or tobacco, drugs and acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Training of personnel; a In-service training; Professional development; Institutes for educators; Cooperating and beginning teacher programs, regulations. The school district shall allocate sufficient time and resources for effective instruction. The school district s comprehensive school health education shall offer multidisciplinary, multicultural perspectives and provide learning opportunities for multiple learning styles. The school district shall provide ongoing, timely professional development related to school health issues for teachers, program administrators, and school health and mental health providers. The school district s comprehensive school health education curriculum, instruction and assessment shall be aligned. The school district shall conduct regular evaluation of the comprehensive school health education program. School Health Services School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success and lifelong achievements of students. The School Nurse acts as a clinician, patient advocate, service coordinator, health educator, liaison and interdisciplinary team member. School nursing demands expertise in a wide variety of disciplines including pediatric and adolescent health assessments, community health, and adult and child mental health nursing. The school district s nurses will demonstrate strong skills in health promotion, assessment and referral, communication, leadership, organization, and time management. A thorough knowledge of health and education laws that affect students is also critical, as are teaching strategies for the delivery of health education to students and staff. School nurses practice autonomously and must be comfortable and skilled with independent management of the health office and client caseload. The district shall employ only highly qualified, registered nurses with a current valid nursing license. Nurses shall be expected to adhere to the scope and standards of professional school nurse practices at all times. These practices include: Patient assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identifications, planning, implementation, and coordination of care as well as referrals to appropriate outside medical services when necessary. School Nurses will participate in health education and promotion along with certified health education instructors, based on existing district curriculum.

11 (k) School Health Services (cont d) Evaluation of health services and the quality of practice is part of the School Nurse s function. School Nurses will keep current on new medical protocols and research. School Nurses shall adhere to strict ethical conduct and follow all applicable privacy laws such as FERPA and HIPPA. School Nurses shall demonstrate leadership, the ability to practice independently, supervise others, and delegate care in the school health setting. Research has shows a direct connection between student health and achievement. The school district has clear medical and nursing protocols and procedures to meet the health care needs of all the region s students. Nursing protocols are Board of Education approved and based on appropriate medical practices as established by federal and state laws. The School Nurse is responsible for: The direct care of acute and chronic health conditions and emergency care for illness or injury. The evaluation of student records to create Individualized Health Care Plans for chronic health conditions. Case management services and input at student s PPT, IDEA and 504 plan meetings. Maintenance of all student health records and staff emergency health information. Coordinate and perform state mandated health screenings including vision, hearing, and scoliosis. Provide health education in the classroom in cooperation with certified health teachers and counseling staff for special circumstances and according to the school district s curriculum needs. Disseminate significant school health policies, procedures, and emergency information to parents and staff using newsletters, parent handbooks and handouts. Promote optimum sanitary conditions for a safe school environment. Provide one-on-one education and counseling for students, staff, and families. The district will allow School Nurses adequate time for professional development to build the skills necessary to continue to provide innovative and evidence-based services and implement new strategies in the health office. School health services shall be coordinated with other health and wellness programs and services in the school and community. The school district recognizes the recommendations of the National Association of School Nurses to provide a safe environment with safe student to nurse ratios and will work towards compliance with these recommendations. The ratios are based on national requirements and are dependent on the complexity and severity of students health needs. The National Association of School Nurses 2006 study recommends a ratio of one school nurse to every 750 regular education, healthy students with decreasing ratios depending on the chronic and special health care needs of the students.

12 (l) Communication and Promotion The Wellness Committee is comprised of representatives from the school district: school nurse, administrator, School Nutrition Director, student, parent, Board member and community member. The school district shall offer region employees health and wellness programs that include but are not limited to CPR training and defibrillator training. Other recommended offerings may include exercise classes, smoking cessation programs, health screening, and professional development opportunities related to school health and nutrition issues. District employees will act as role models for health, activity, and nutrition throughout the school district by following the guidelines of the Wellness Policy. The Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools are responsible for the wellness/health communication processes that go beyond the scope of the Wellness Policy. The school district s Wellness Policy will be available in school offices, school libraries, the central office, and on the school district s website. Program Evaluation The school district Wellness Committee shall meet at a minimum one time annually for the purpose of monitoring the Wellness Policy and to offer modifications or recommendations to the superintendent as necessary. The contact official responsible for policy implementation is the superintendent and his/her designee. The school district shall allow the School Nutrition Director to monitor and make policy recommendations when necessary. Legal References (cf Physical Education) (cf Physical Activity (cf Recess/Unstructured Time) Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes 10-16b Prescribed courses of study Lunches, breakfast, and the feeding programs for public school children and employees q Sale of Beverages b Duties of the state board of education re feeding programs

13 (m) Legal References (cont d.) Payment of Expenses 0-215b-1 State board of education regulation competitive foods PA224 An Act Concerning Childhood Nutrition in Schools, Recess, and Lunch Breaks National School Lunch Program and school Breakfast Program; Competitive Foods (7 CFR Parts 210 and 220, Federal Register, Vol. 45, No. 20, Tuesday, January 29, 1980, pp ) The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, Public Law Healthy Fundraising - Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services and Child/Family/School Partnerships, May 2005 Healthy Celebrations Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services and Child/Family/School Partnerships, May 2005 Guidelines For a coordinated Approach to School Health Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services, Family Services and Adult Education, 2007 National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program: Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School (Federal Register, Vol. 78, No. 125, June 28, 2013) Policy adopted: April 12, 2006 Policy revised: October 11, 2006 Policy revised: July 15, 2009 Policy revised: October 27, 2010 Policy revised: August 20, 2014 Policy revised: May 27, 2015 Policy revised: October 12, 2016 Policy revised: June 28, 2017 REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT #16 Beacon Falls and Prospect, Connecticut