Book
Policy Manual
Section
200 Pupils
Title
School Wellness
Code
246
Status
Active
Legal
1. 24 P.S. 1422.1
2. 42 U.S.C. 1758b
3. 7 CFR 210.31
4. 7 CFR 210.15
5. 24 P.S. 1422
6. 24 P.S. 1513
7. Pol. 102
8. Pol. 105
9. Pol. 808
10. 24 P.S. 1512.1
11. 7 CFR 210.10
12. 7 CFR 220.8
13. 42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq
14. 42 U.S.C. 1773
15. 7 CFR 210.30
16. 7 CFR 210.11
17. 7 CFR 220.12
18. Pol. 229
19. 24 P.S. 504.1
20. Pol. 209.1
24 P.S. 1337.1
24 P.S. 1422.3
P.L. 111-296
7 CFR Part 210
7 CFR Part 220
Pol. 103
Pol. 103.1
Adopted
February 13, 2006
Last Revised
August 14, 2017
Last Reviewed
June 13, 2022
Purpose
Oswayo Valley School District recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are
related to students' physical well-being, growth, development and readiness to learn.
The Board is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student
wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of
the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment, students will learn
about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student
achievement.
Authority
The Board adopts this policy based on the recommendations of the Wellness Committee
and in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations.[1][2][3]
To ensure the health and well-being of all students, the Board establishes that the
district shall provide to students:
1. A comprehensive nutrition program consistent with federal and state
requirements.
2. Access at reasonable cost to foods and beverages that meet established
nutritional guidelines.
3. Physical education courses and opportunities for developmentally appropriate
physical activity during the school day.
4. Curriculum and programs for grades K-12 that are designed to educate students
about proper nutrition and lifelong physical activity, in accordance with State
Board of Education curriculum regulations and academic standards.
Delegation of Responsibility
The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for the implementation and
oversight of this policy to ensure each of the district's schools, programs, and
curriculum is compliant with this policy, related policies, and established guidelines or
administrative regulations.[2][3]
Each building principal or designee shall report to the Superintendent or designee
regarding compliance in his/her school.[3]
Staff members responsible for programs related to student wellness shall report to the
Superintendent or designee regarding the status of such programs. The
Superintendent or designee shall report to the Board on the district's compliance with
law and policies related to student wellness.
At least once every three (3) years, the district shall update or modify this policy as needed, based on the
results of the most recent triennial assessment and/or as district and community needs and priorities change;
wellness goals are met, new health, science, information and technologies emerge; and new federal or state
guidance or standards are issued. [3]
The district shall annually inform and update the public, including parents/guardians,
students, and others in the community, about the contents, updates, and
implementation of this policy via the district website and/or student handbooks,
newsletters, posted notices, and/or other efficient communication methods. [2][3]
Guidelines
Recordkeeping
The district shall retain records documenting compliance with the requirements of the
School Wellness policy, which shall include:[3][4]
1. The written School Wellness policy.
2. Documentation demonstrating that the district has informed the public, on an
annual basis, about the contents of the School Wellness policy and any updates
to the policy.
3. Documentation of efforts to review and update the School Wellness policy,
including who is involved in the review and methods used by the district to
inform the public of their ability to participate in the review.
4. Documentation demonstrating the most recent assessment on the
implementation of the School Wellness policy and notification of the assessment
results to the public.
Wellness Committee
The district shall establish a Wellness Committee comprised of, but not necessarily
limited to, at least one (1) of each of the following: School Board member, district
administrator, district food service representative, student, parent/guardian, school
health professional, physical education teacher, and member of the public reflective of
the diversity of the community. [2]
The Wellness Committee shall serve as an advisory committee regarding student health
issues and shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and periodically reviewing
and updating a Student Wellness policy that complies with law to recommend to the
Board for adoption.
The Wellness Committee shall review and consider evidence-based strategies and
techniques in establishing goals for nutrition education and promotion, physical activity,
and other school based activities that promote student wellness as part of the policy
development and revision process.[3]
The Wellness Committee may make policy recommendations to the Board related to other health issues
necessary to promote student wellness which may include student/parent surveys.
Individuals who conduct student medical and dental examinations shall submit to the
Wellness Committee annual reports and later reports on the remedial work
accomplished during the year, as required by law.[5]
Nutrition Education
Nutrition education will be provided within the sequential, comprehensive health
education program in accordance with curriculum regulations and State academic
standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, and if offered, Family and
Consumer Sciences.[6][7][8]
Nutrition education in the district shall teach, model, encourage, and support healthy
eating by students.
Nutrition education may be integrated into other subjects such as math, science,
language arts, and social sciences to complement, but not replace academic standards
based on nutrition education.
The staff responsible for providing nutrition education shall be properly trained and
prepared and shall participate in appropriate professional development.
Nutrition Promotion
District food service personnel shall review economics techniques in the cafeteria to
encourage consumption of more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes, and to
decrease plate waste in compliance with federal and state laws.
District schools shall offer resources about health and nutrition to encourage
parents/guardians to provide healthy meals for their children for home lunches and
snacks that are in compliance with FDA federal and state laws.
Physical Activity
District schools shall strive to provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate
physical activity during the school day for all students. Opportunities offered at school
will augment physical activity during the school day for all students. Opportunities
offered at school will augment physical activity outside the school environment, such as
outdoor play at home, sports, etc.
Age-appropriate physical activity opportunities, such as outdoor and indoor recess,
before and after school programs, during lunch, clubs, intramurals, and interscholastic
athletics, shall be provided to meet the needs and interests of all students, in addition
to planned physical education.
A physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all
students shall be maintained.
Before and/or after-school programs shall provide developmentally appropriate physical
activity for participating children.
District schools shall partner with parents/guardians and community members and
organizations, such as YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, local and state parks, hospitals, etc.,
to institute programs that support lifelong physical activity.
Physical activity shall not be used or withheld as a form of punishment.
District schools shall promote physical activity through encouragement of walking and
biking as a means of transportation to and from school.
Students and their families shall be encouraged to utilize district-owned playgrounds,
fields, track, etc. outside school hours in accordance with established district rules.
Physical Education
A sequential physical education program consistent with State Board of Education
curriculum regulations and Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards
shall be developed and implemented. All district students must participate in physical
education.[7][8][10]
Quality physical education instruction and comprehensive curriculum that promotes
lifelong physical activity, team, and individual activities and provides instruction in the
skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participation shall be provided.
Physical education classes shall be the means through which all students learn,
practice, and are assessed on developmentally appropriate skills and knowledge
necessary for lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.
A local assessment system shall be implemented to track student progress on the
Health, Safety, and Physical Education academic standards.
Students shall be moderately to vigorously active as much time as possible during a
physical education class. Documented medical conditions and disabilities shall be
accommodated during class.
Physical education shall be taught by certified health and physical education teachers.
Appropriate professional development shall be provided for physical education staff.
Physical activity shall not be used or withheld solely as a form of punishment.
Other School Based Activities
Drinking fountains shall be available and accessible to students, at all meal periods and
throughout the school day.[11][12]
Nutrition professionals who meet hiring criteria established by the district and in
compliance with federal regulations shall administer the school meals program.
Professional development and continuing education shall be provided for district
nutrition staff, as required by federal regulations.[9][13][14][15]
District schools shall implement alternative service models to increase school breakfast
participation where possible, such as breakfast served in the classroom, “grab & go
breakfast”, and breakfast after first period to reinforce the positive educational,
behavioral, and health impacts of a healthy breakfast.
Access to the food service operation shall be limited to authorized staff.
Nutrition content of school meals shall be available to students and parents/guardians
on cafeteria website.
The district shall provide appropriate training to all staff on the components of the
School Wellness policy.
Fundraising projects submitted for approval shall be supportive of healthy eating and
student wellness.
The district shall maintain a healthy school environment, including but not limited to,
indoor air quality, in accordance with the district’s healthy learning environment
program and applicable laws and regulations.
Meal periods shall be scheduled at appropriate hours, as defined by the district. Students shall be provided
adequate time to eat: ten (10) minutes sit-down time for breakfast; twenty (20) minutes sit-down time for
lunch.
Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods/Beverages at School
All foods available in district schools during the school day shall be offered to students
with consideration for promoting student health and reducing obesity.
Foods and beverages provided through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast
Programs shall comply with established federal nutrition standards.[11][12][13][14]
Foods and beverages offered or sold at school-sponsored events outside the school day,
such as athletic events and dances, shall offer healthy alternatives in addition to more
traditional fare.
Competitive Foods -
Competitive foods available for sale shall meet or exceed the established federal
nutrition standards (USDA Smart Snacks in School). These standards shall apply in all
locations and through all services where foods and beverages are sold to students,
which may include, but are not limited to: a la carte options in cafeterias, vending
machines, school stores, snack carts, and fundraisers.[3][16][17]
Competitive foods are defined as foods and beverages offered or sold to students on
school campus during the school day, which are not part of the reimbursable school
breakfast or lunch.
For purposes of this policy, school campus means any area of property under the
jurisdiction of the school that students may access during the school day.[3][16]
For purposes of this policy, school day means the period from midnight before school
begins until thirty (30) minutes after the end of the official school day.[3][16]
The district may impose additional restrictions on competitive foods, provided that the
restrictions are not inconsistent with federal requirements.[16]
Fundraiser Exemptions -
Fundraising activities held during the school day involving the sale of competitive foods
shall be limited to foods that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards,
unless an exemption is approved in accordance with applicable Board policy and
administrative regulations.[18]
The district may allow a limited number of exempt fundraisers as permitted by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education each school year: up to five (5) exempt
fundraisers in elementary and middle school buildings, and up to ten (10) exempt
fundraisers in high school buildings. Exempt fundraisers are fundraisers in which
competitive foods are available for sale to students that do not meet the Smart Snacks
in School nutrition standards.[16]
Non-Sold Competitive Foods -
Non-sold competitive foods available to students, which may include but are not limited
to foods and beverages offered as rewards and incentives, at classroom parties and
celebrations, or as shared classroom snacks, shall meet or exceed the standards
established by the district.
If the offered competitive foods do not meet or exceed the Smart Snacks in School
nutrition standards, the following standards shall apply:
1. Rewards and Incentives: Foods and beverages shall not be used as a reward for
classroom or school activities unless the reward is an activity that promotes a
positive nutrition message (e.g., guest chef, field trip to a farm or farmers
market, etc.)
2. Classroom Parties and Celebrations: Classroom parties shall offer a minimal
amount of foods (maximum 2-3 items) containing added sugar as the primary
ingredient (e.g., cupcakes, cookies) and will provide the following:
o Fresh fruits/vegetables; and
o Water, 100 percent juice, 100 percent juice diluted with water, low-fat
milk or nonfat milk.
The district shall provide a list of suggested nonfood ideas and healthy food and
beverage alternatives to parents/guardians and staff, which may be posted via the
district website, student handbooks, newsletters, posted notices and/or other efficient
communication methods.
Marketing/Contracting -
Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus
during the school day shall meet or exceed the established federal nutrition standards
(USDA Smart Snacks in School) and comply with established Board policy.[3][16]
Exclusive competitive food and/or beverage contracts shall be in accordance with
provisions of law. Existing contracts shall be reviewed and modified to the extent
feasible to ensure compliance with established federal nutrition standards, including
applicable marketing restrictions.[19]
Management of Food Allergies in District Schools
The district shall follow current state and federal regulations to address food allergy
management in order to:[20]
1. Reduce and/or eliminate the likelihood of severe or potentially life-threatening
allergic reactions.
2. Ensure a rapid and effective response in case of a severe or potentially life-
threatening allergic reaction.
3. Protect the rights of students by providing them, through necessary
accommodations when required, the opportunity to participate fully in all school
programs and activities.
Safe Routes to School
The district shall assess and, to the extent possible, implement improvements to make
walking and biking to school safer and easier for students.
The district shall cooperate with local municipalities, public safety agency, police
departments, and community organizations to develop and maintain safe routes to
school.
District administrators shall seek and utilize available federal and state funding for safe
routes to school, when appropriate.
