Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS Local Wellness Policy SY

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1 Background The U.S. Congress established a requirement in the Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004, that all school districts with a federally funded school meal program draft a local school wellness policy. Section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010 (the Act) added Section 9A to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) (42 U.S.C. 1758b), Local School Wellness Policy Implementation. The provisions set forth in Section 204 expand upon the previous local wellness policy requirement from the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of The law requires that these policies must, at a minimum, include (1) include goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness, (2) establish nutrition guidelines for all foods available on each school campus during the school day with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity, (3) provide assurance that those guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance applicable to school meals issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, (4) establish a plan for measuring the implementation of the local wellness policy, including designation of one or more persons with operational responsibility for ensuring that the school meets the wellness policy; (5) involve parents, students, and representatives of the school food authority, school board, school administrators, and the public, in the development of the school wellness policy; and (6) inform and update the public and school community about the content, implementation, assessment, and update of the local wellness policy, including the extent to which the school is in compliance with the policy, the policy compares with model wellness policies, and progress made in attaining policy goals. The Inspired Teaching Demonstration Public Charter School will use the above requirements as a baseline and expand the policy to cover additional student wellness areas. The wellness policy will cover the following: 1. Goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. 2. Nutrition guidelines for all foods available on campus during the school day with the objectives of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity. 3. Guidelines for reimbursable school meals to ensure access for all children to healthy foods and to fight hunger and nutrient deficiencies.

2 4. Assurance that those guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture. 5. Goals, in accordance with the Healthy Schools Act of 2010, for: improving the environmental sustainability of the school; increasing the use of locally grown and unprocessed foods; and increasing physical activity in school. Vision/Statement of Responsibility The Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS recognizes that nutrition education; food served in school, and physical activity each affect student wellness. The school also recognizes the important connection between a healthy diet and a student s ability to learn effectively and achieve high standards in school. The Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS recognizes that it is the school s role, as part of the larger community, to model and actively practice, through policies and procedures, the promotion of family health, physical activity, and good nutrition. Section 1: Ensuring Quality Nutrition Education, Health Education and Physical Education. Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS aims to provide age-appropriate and culturally sensitive instruction in nutrition, health and physical education that help students develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to enjoy healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle. Health and Nutrition Education Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS will provide health education that: uses standard based curriculum that is incorporated into classroom instruction, incorporates nutrition education and emphasizes caloric balance between food intake and physical activity/exercise; is provided an average of at least 75 minutes per week for students in K-8; includes enjoyable, developmentally-appropriate, culturally-relevant, participatory activities, taste testing, farm visits, and school gardens; promotes fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, healthy food preparation methods, and health-enhancing nutrition practices; links with school meal programs, other school foods, and nutrition-related community services; and

3 Students shall have opportunities to enjoy physical activity and nutrition education through participation in school sponsored gardening and nutrition programs, if available. Physical Activity and Physical Education Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS acknowledges the positive benefits of physical activity for student health and academic achievement. Recognizing that physical movement and education is a crucial and integral part of a child s education, Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS will provide opportunities to ensure that students engage in healthful levels of vigorous physical activity to promote and develop the student s physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Besides promoting high levels of personal achievement and a positive self-image, activities will teach students how to cooperate in the achievement of common goals. In addition to physical activity during the school day, students shall be given opportunities for movement activity through a range of before-and/or after-school programs. Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS will ensure that: Students in grades K-5 participate in physical movement class (physical education) for at least 150 minutes per week; students in grades 6-8 will participate for at least 225 minutes per week At least 50% of physical movement class time shall be devoted to actual physical activity; It shall be the goal for children to engage in physical activity for 60 minutes each day, 30 minutes of physical activity will be achieved through daily recess. The middle school will gain additional opportunities with electives focused around physical activity (i.e. Capoiera and Hip Hop dance). Classroom teachers shall develop and implement a curriculum that connects and demonstrates the interrelationship between physical activity, good nutrition, and health; An appropriate alternative activity to physical education shall be provided for students with a physical disability that may restrict excessive physical exertion; Requiring or withholding physical activity shall not be used to punish students. Teaching staff shall appropriately limit the amount or type of physical exercise required of students during code red days, temperatures above 90, or other inclement conditions. Students shall have opportunities to enjoy physical activity and nutrition education through participation in school sponsored gardening and nutrition programs, if available.

4 Section 2: Establishing Nutritional Guidelines for All Foods Served on Campus During the School Day. A component of the educational mission of Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS is teaching students to establish and maintain life-long healthy eating habits. This mission shall be accomplished, in part, through serving healthful food in the schools. Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS will ensure that: Free and Reduced- Price Meals All qualified students will become eligible for free lunch, through frequent checking; Maximum participation in the school meal program will be achieved by developing a coordinated, comprehensive outreach and promotion plan, and by putting systems in place that ensure the elimination of the stigma of accepting free lunch; Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS will provide students with at least 30 minutes to eat after sitting down for lunch, as well as, sufficient for each student to be served or pass through the food service line; Breakfast Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS will operate a Universal Free for All School Breakfast Program; Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS will market the Universal Free for All School Breakfast program through school newsletters, signs in the school, etc. Nutritional Quality of School Meals Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS participates in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program (FFVP) which provides fresh fruit and vegetables to students during the school day. The nutritional value of the food served will improve upon USDA standards through provision of nutritious, fresh, tasty, locally grown food that reflects community and cultural diversity; All school meals meet or exceed the following nutritional requirements per serving: Saturated fat: Fewer than 10% of total calories; Trans fat: Zero grams; and Sodium: (Requirements shall not apply until August 1, 2020; provided that, schools shall gradually reduce the amount of sodium) Half of the grains served will be whole grain; Water is available to all students during meals.

5 The school will post visuals (i.e posters and signs) to promote participation in the school lunch program. School Snacks Snacks served during the school day or in enrichment programs will make a positive contribution to children s diets and health, with an emphasis on serving fruits and vegetables as the primary snacks and water as the primary beverage. Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS will assess if and when to offer snacks based on timing of school meals, children s nutritional needs, children s ages, and other considerations. The school will disseminate a list of healthful snack items to teachers, after-school program personnel, and parents. Additional Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS shall not have vending machines that are accessible to students; Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS will develop a Healthy Snacks and Healthy Parties policy, and provide parents and teachers with a list of healthy, affordable food choices for snacks and parties. All beverages and snack foods, offered to students outside of school meals programs, shall meet the requirements as well as the USDA s HealthierUS School Challenge program at the Gold Award Level for competitive foods and beverages; Foods and beverages that do not meet the nutritional requirements of the USDA s HealthierUS School Challenge program mentioned above shall not be used as incentives, prizes, or awards or advertised or marketed in schools; Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS shall not permit third parties to sell foods or beverages of any type to students on school property from 90 minutes before the school day begins until 90 minutes after the school day ends. Food vendor information (i.e menus, nutritional content) is located online and in the main lobby for students, parents and legal guardians Section 3: Assure that guidelines for school meals are not less restrictive than those set at the federal level by the Secretary of Agriculture.

6 The Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS Business Manager will annually review this policy and ensure that the policies are not less restrictive than those set by the Secretary of Agriculture or state law. Section 4: Establish a plan for measuring the impact and implementation of the local wellness policy. The Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS Business Manager and the wellness council shall review, evaluate and develop the wellness policy annually. The State Education Office will also monitor the status of Local Wellness Policies while conducting reviews and site visits to Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS. Section 5: Improving the Environmental Sustainability of Schools Inspired Teaching School will seek to improve the environmental sustainability of the school through: Contracting with food service vendors that utilize locally grown, locally processed and unprocessed foods from growers engaged in sustainable agriculture practices; Establishing a campus-wide recycling program; and Establishing a school garden. Section 6: Community Involvement The Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS administrators, teachers, parents, school food vendors, health/physical education providers along with community members, will develop a plan for community involvement of the school wellness policy. We will engage families through PTA meetings, s and being a strong presence at school sponsored events. We will work with community members to develop activities to promote physical and nutrition education outside of the school day. We will invite neighbors to utilize outdoor spaces near our campus that can be used for outdoor education, gardening and nutrition activities.