Wellness Policy

Introduction

The Schenectady City School District (hereto referred to as the district) is committed to the optimal development of every student. The district believes that for students to have the opportunity to achieve personal, academic, developmental, and social success, we need to create positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year. The District Wellness Committee will work collaboratively with all stakeholders to meet Wellness Policy requirements by 2025.

Research shows that two components, good nutrition, and physical activity before, during and after the school day, are strongly correlated with positive student outcomes. For example, student participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) School Breakfast Program is associated with higher grades and standardized test scores, lower absenteeism and better performance on cognitive tasks.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Conversely, less-than-adequate consumption of specific foods including fruits, vegetables and dairy products, is associated with lower grades among students.8,9,10 In addition, students who are physically active through active transport to and from school, recess, physical activity breaks, high-quality physical education and extracurricular activities – do better academically.11,12,13,14. Finally, there is evidence that adequate hydration is associated with better cognitive performance. 15,16,17

This policy outlines the district’s approach to ensuring environments and opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day while minimizing commercial distractions. Specifically, this policy establishes goals and procedures to ensure that:

▪ Students in the District have access to healthy foods throughout the school day ‒ both through reimbursable school meals and other foods available throughout the school campus‒ in accordance with Federal and state nutrition standards.

▪ Students receive quality nutrition education that helps them develop lifelong healthy eating behaviors.

▪ Students have opportunities to be physically active before, during and after school.

▪ Schools engage in nutrition and physical activity promotion and other activities that promote student wellness.

▪ School staff are encouraged and supported to practice healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviors in and out of school.

▪ The community is engaged in supporting the work of the district in creating continuity between school and other settings for students and staff to practice lifelong healthy habits; and

▪ The district establishes and maintains an infrastructure for management, oversight, implementation, communication about and monitoring of the policy and its established goals and objectives.

This policy applies to all students, staff and schools in the district. Specific measurable goals and outcomes are identified within each section below.

▪ The district will coordinate the wellness policy with other aspects of school management, including the District’s School Improvement Plan, when appropriate.

▪ NOTE: Will also include any relevant data or statistics from state or local sources supporting the need for establishing and achieving the goals in this policy.

I. School Wellness Committee

Committee Role and Membership

The district will convene a representative district wellness committee (hereto referred to as the DWC or work within an existing school health committee) that meets at least four times per year to establish goals for and oversee school health and safety policies and programs, including development, implementation and periodic review and update of this district-level wellness policy (heretofore referred as “wellness policy”).

The DWC membership will represent all school levels (elementary and secondary schools) and include (to the extent possible), but not be limited to: parents and caregivers; students; representatives of the school nutrition program (e.g., school nutrition director); physical education teachers; health education teachers; school health professionals (e.g., health education teachers, school health services staff [e.g., nurses, physicians, dentists, health educators, and other allied health personnel who provide school health services], and mental health and social services staff [e.g., school counselors, psychologists, social workers, or psychiatrists]; school administrators (e.g.., superintendent, principal, vice principal), school board members; health professionals (e.g., dietitians, doctors, nurses, dentists); and the general public. When possible, membership will also include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education coordinators (SNAP-EDEDSNAP- Ed). To the extent possible, the DWC will include representatives from each school building and reflect the diversity of the community.

▪ Each school within the district will establish an ongoing School Wellness Committee (SWC) that convenes to review school-level issues, in coordination with the DWC.]

Leadership

The Superintendent or designee(s) will convene the DWC and facilitate development of and updates to the wellness policy and will ensure each school’s compliance with the policy.

Each school will designate a school wellness policy coordinator, who will ensure compliance with the policy. Refer to Appendix A for a list of school-level wellness policy coordinators.

II. Wellness Policy Implementation, Monitoring, Accountability and Community Engagement

Implementation Plan

The district will develop and maintain a plan for implementation to manage and coordinate the execution of this wellness policy. The plan delineates roles, responsibilities, actions, and timelines specific to each school; and includes information about who will be responsible to make what change, by how much, where and when; as well as specific goals and objectives for nutrition standards for all foods and beverages available on the school campus, food and beverage marketing, nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, physical education and other school-based activities that promote student wellness. It is recommended that the school use the Healthy Schools Program online tools to complete a school-level assessment based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s School Health Index, create an action plan that fosters implementation and generate an annual progress report.

This wellness policy and the progress reports can be found at: http://www.schenectady.k12.ny.us

Record Keeping

The district will retain records to document compliance with the requirements of the wellness policy at [Central Office - 108 Education Drive – Superintendent Office. Documentation maintained in this location will include but will not be limited to:

The written wellness policy.
Documentation demonstrating that the policy has been made available to the public.
Documentation of efforts to review and update the Local Schools Wellness Policy; including an indication of who is involved in the update and methods the district uses to make stakeholders aware of their ability to participate on the DWC.
Documentation to demonstrate compliance with the annual public notification requirements.
The most recent assessment on the implementation of the local school wellness policy.
Documentation demonstrating the most recent assessment on the implementation of the Local School Wellness Policy has been made available to the public.

Annual Notification of Policy

The district will actively inform families and the public each year of basic information about this policy, including its content, any updates to the policy and implementation status. The district will make this information available via the district website and/or district-wide communications. The district will provide as much information as possible about the school nutrition environment. This will include a summary of the districts and schools’ events, or activities related to wellness policy implementation. Annually, the District will also publicize the name and contact information of the district/school officials leading and coordinating the committee, as well as information on how the public can get involved with the school wellness committee.

Triennial Progress Assessments

At least once every three years, the district will evaluate compliance with the wellness policy to assess the implementation of the policy and include:

▪ The extent to which schools under the jurisdiction of the district are following the wellness policy.

▪ The extent to which the district’s wellness policy compares to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s model wellness policy; and

▪ A description of the progress made in attaining the goals of the district’s wellness policy.

The position/person responsible for managing the triennial assessment and contact information will be the Superintendent or designee(s).

The DWC, in collaboration with individual schools, will monitor schools’ compliance with this wellness policy.

The district and schools will actively notify households/families of the availability of the triennial progress report.

Revisions and Updating the Policy

The DWC will update or modify the wellness policy based on the results of the annual School Health Index and triennial assessments and/or as District priorities change; community needs change; wellness goals are met; new health science, information, and technology emerges; and new Federal or state guidance or standards are issued. The wellness policy will be assessed and updated as indicated at least every three years, following the triennial assessment.

Community Involvement, Outreach and Communications

The district is committed to being responsive to community input, which begins with awareness of the wellness policy. The district will actively communicate ways in which representatives of DWC and others can participate in the development, implementation and periodic review and update of the wellness policy through a variety of means appropriate for that district. The district will also inform parents of the improvements that have been made to school meals and compliance with school meal standards, availability of child nutrition programs and how to apply, and a description of and compliance with Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. The district will use electronic mechanisms, such as email or displaying notices on the district’s website, as well as non-electronic mechanisms, such as newsletters, presentations to parents, or sending information home to parents, to ensure that all families are actively notified of the content of, implementation of, and updates to the wellness policy, as well as how to get involved and support the policy. The district will ensure that communications are culturally and linguistically appropriate to the community and accomplished through means like other ways that the district and individual schools are communicating important school information with parents.

The district will actively notify the public about the content of or any updates to the wellness policy annually, at a minimum. The district will also use these mechanisms to inform the community about the availability of the annual and triennial reports.

III. Nutrition

School Meals

Our school district is committed to serving healthy meals to children, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat milk; that are moderate in sodium, low in saturated fat, and have zero grams trans-fat per serving (nutrition label or manufacturer’s specification); and to meeting the nutrition needs of school children within their calorie requirements. The school meal programs aim to improve the diet and health of school children, help mitigate childhood obesity, model healthy eating to support the development of lifelong healthy eating patterns and support healthy choices while accommodating cultural food preferences and special dietary needs.

All schools within the district participate in USDA child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Federal child nutrition programs in which the district participates, possibly including the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and Supper programs. The district also operates additional nutrition- related programs and activities including if applicable, insert here a list of other programs such as Farm to School programs, school gardens, Breakfast in the Classroom, Mobile Breakfast carts, Grab ‘n’ Go Breakfast, or others]. All schools within the district are committed to offering school meals through the NSLP and SBP programs, and other applicable Federal child nutrition programs, that:

▪ Are accessible to all students.

▪ Are appealing and attractive to children.

▪ Are served in clean and pleasant settings.

▪ Meet or exceed current nutrition requirements established by local, state, and Federal statutes and regulations. (The District offers reimbursable school meals that meet USDA nutrition standards.)

▪ Promote healthy food and beverage choices using at least ten of the following Smarter Lunchroom techniques:

Whole fruit options are displayed in attractive bowls or baskets (instead of chaffing dishes or hotel pans).
Sliced or cut fruit is available daily.
Daily fruit options are displayed in a location in the line of sight and reach of students.
All available vegetable options have been given creative or descriptive names.
Daily vegetable options are bundled into all grab-and-go meals available to students.
All staff members, especially those serving, have been trained to politely prompt students to select and consume the daily vegetable options with their meal.
White milk is placed in front of other beverages in all coolers.
Alternative entrée options (e.g., salad bar, yogurt parfaits, etc.) are highlighted on posters or signs within all service and dining areas.
A reimbursable meal can be created in any service area available to students (e.g., salad bars, snack rooms, etc.).
Student surveys and taste testing opportunities are used to inform menu development, dining space decor and promotional ideas.
Student artwork is displayed in the service and/or dining areas.
Daily announcements are used to promote and market menu options.

School Meals:

Menus will be posted on the district website or individual school websites and will include nutrient content and ingredients.
Menus will be created/reviewed by a Registered Dietitian or other certified nutrition professional.
School meals are administered by a team of child nutrition professionals.
The district child nutrition program will accommodate students with special dietary needs.
Students will be allowed at least 10 minutes to eat breakfast and at least 20 minutes to eat lunch, counting from the time they have received their meal and are seated (meets Healthy Schools Program Gold-level criteria).
Students are served lunch at a reasonable and appropriate time of day.
Lunch will follow the recess period to better support learning and healthy eating.
Participation in Federal child nutrition programs will be promoted among students and families to help ensure that families know what programs are available in their children’s school.
The district will implement at least four of the following five Farm to School activities (meets Healthy Schools Program Gold-level criteria; mark/circle the four activities the district plans to do):
Local and/or regional products are incorporated into the school meal program.
Messages about agriculture and nutrition are reinforced throughout the learning environment.
School hosts a school garden.
School hosts field trips to local farms; and
School utilizes promotions or special events, such as tastings, that highlight the local/ regional products.]

Staff Qualifications and Professional Development

All school nutrition program directors, managers and staff will meet or exceed hiring and annual continuing education/training requirements in the USDA professional standards for child nutrition professionals. These school nutrition personnel will refer to USDA ’s Professional Standards for School Nutrition Standards website to search for training that meets their learning needs.

Water

To promote hydration, free, safe, unflavored drinking water will be available to all students throughout the school day* and throughout every school campus* (“school campus” and “school day” are defined in the glossary). The district will make drinking water available where school meals are served during mealtimes.

▪ Water cups/jugs will be available in the cafeteria if a drinking fountain is not present.

▪ All water sources and containers will be maintained on a regular basis to ensure good hygiene and health safety standards. Such sources and containers may include drinking fountains, water jugs, hydration stations, water jets and other methods for delivering drinking water.]

▪ Students will be allowed to bring and carry (approved) water bottles filled with only water with them throughout the day.

Competitive Foods and Beverages

The district is committed to ensuring that all foods and beverages available to students on the school campus* during the school day* support healthy eating. The foods and beverages sold and served outside of the school meal programs (e.g., “competitive” foods and beverages) will meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, at a minimum. Smart Snacks aim to improve student health and well-being, increase consumption of healthful foods during the school day and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits. A summary of the standards and information, as well as a Guide to Smart Snacks in Schools are available at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthierschoolday/tools-schools-smart-snacks. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation provides a set of tools to assist with implementation of Smart Snacks available at www.foodplanner.healthiergeneration.org.

To support healthy food choices and improve student health and well-being, all foods and beverages outside the reimbursable school meal programs that are sold to students on the school campus during the school day will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks nutrition standards. These standards will apply in all locations and through all services where foods and beverages are sold, which may include, but are not limited to, à la carte options in cafeterias, vending machines, school stores and snack or food carts.

Celebrations and Rewards

All foods offered on the school campus will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, including through:

Celebrations and parties. The district will provide a list of healthy party ideas to parents and teachers, including non-food celebration ideas. Healthy party ideas are available from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and from the USDA.
Classroom snacks brought by parents. The District will provide parents a list of foods and beverages that meet Smart Snacks nutrition standards.
Rewards and incentives. The District will provide teachers and other relevant school staff a list of alternative ways to reward children. Foods and beverages will not be used as a reward, or withheld as punishment for any reason, such as for performance or behavior.

Fundraising

Foods and beverages that meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards may be sold through fundraisers on the school campus* during the school day*. The District will make available to parents and teachers a list of healthy fundraising ideas examples from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the USDA.

▪ Schools will use only non-food fundraisers and encourage those promoting physical activity (such as walk-a-thons, Jump Rope for Heart, fun runs, etc.).

▪ Fundraising during and outside school hours will sell only non-food items or foods and beverages that meet or exceed the Smart Snacks nutrition standards. These fundraisers may include but are not limited to, donation nights at restaurants, cookie dough, candy and pizza sales, market days, etc.

Nutrition Promotion

Nutrition promotion and education positively influence lifelong eating behaviors by using evidence-based techniques and nutrition messages, and by creating food environments that encourage healthy nutrition choices and encourage participation in school meal programs. Students and staff will receive consistent nutrition messages throughout schools, classrooms, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. Nutrition promotion also includes marketing and advertising nutritious foods and beverages to students and is most effective when implemented consistently through a comprehensive and multi-channel approach by school staff, teachers, parents, students, and the community.

The district will promote healthy food and beverage choices for all students throughout the school campus, as well as encourage participation in school meal programs. This promotion will occur through at least:

▪ Implementing at least ten or more evidence-based healthy food promotion techniques through the school meal programs using Smarter Lunchroom techniques; and

▪ Ensuring 100% of foods and beverages promoted to students meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. Additional promotion techniques that the District and individual schools may use are available at http://www.foodplanner.healthiergeneration.org/.

Nutrition Education

The district will teach, model, encourage and support healthy eating by all students. Schools will provide nutrition education and engage in nutrition promotion that:

▪ Is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health.

▪ Is part of not only health education classes, but also integrated into other classroom instruction through subjects such as math, science, language arts, social sciences, and elective subjects.

▪ Includes enjoyable, developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant, and participatory activities, such as cooking demonstrations or lessons, promotions, taste-testing, farm visits and school gardens.

▪ Promotes fruits, vegetables, whole-grain products, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, and healthy food preparation methods.

▪ Emphasizes caloric balance between food intake and energy expenditure (promotes physical activity/exercise).

▪ Links with school meal programs, cafeteria nutrition promotion activities, school gardens, Farm to School programs, other school foods and nutrition-related community services.

▪ Teaches media literacy with an emphasis on food and beverage marketing; and

▪ Includes nutrition education training for teachers and other staff.

▪ In elementary schools, nutrition education will be offered at each grade level as part of a sequential, comprehensive, standards-based health education curriculum that meets state and national standards (meets Healthy Schools Program Silver/Gold-level criteria).

▪ All health education teachers will provide opportunities for students to practice or rehearse the skills taught through the health education curricula.

Essential Healthy Eating Topics in Health Education

The district will include in the health education curriculum a minimum of 12 of the following essential topics on healthy eating:

▪ Relationship between healthy eating and personal health and disease prevention

▪ Food guidance from MyPlate

▪ Reading and using FDA's nutrition fact labels

▪ Eating a variety of foods every day

▪ Balancing food intake and physical activity

▪ Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products

▪ Choosing foods that are low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol and do not contain trans fat

▪ Choosing foods and beverages with little added sugars

▪ Eating more calcium-rich foods

▪ Preparing healthy meals and snacks to find valid information or services related to nutrition and dietary behavior

▪ How to develop a plan and track progress toward achieving a personal goal to eat healthfully

▪ Resisting peer pressure related to unhealthy dietary behavior

▪ Influencing, supporting, or advocating for others’ healthy dietary behavior

Food and Beverage Marketing in Schools

The district is committed to providing a school environment that ensures opportunities for all students to practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors throughout the school day while minimizing commercial distractions. The district strives to teach students how to make informed choices about nutrition, health, and physical activity. These efforts will be weakened if students are subjected to advertising on District property that contains messages inconsistent with the health information the district is imparting through nutrition education and health promotion efforts. It is the intent of the district to protect and promote student’s health by permitting advertising and marketing for only those foods and beverages that are permitted to be sold on the school campus, consistent with the district’s wellness policy.

Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus* during the school day* will meet or exceed the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.

Food and beverage marketing is defined as advertising and other promotions in schools. Food and beverage marketing often includes an oral, written, or graphic statements made for the purpose of promoting the sale of a food or beverage product made by the producer, manufacturer, seller, or any other entity with a commercial interest in the product.15 This term includes, but is not limited to the following:

▪ Brand names, trademarks, logos, or tags, except when placed on a physically present food or beverage product or its container.

▪ Displays, such as on vending machine exteriors

▪ Corporate brand, logo, name, or trademark on school equipment, such as marquees, message boards, scoreboards, or backboards (Note: immediate replacement of these items are not required; however, districts will replace or update scoreboards or other durable equipment when existing contracts are up for renewal or to the extent that is in financially possible over time so that items are following the marketing policy.)

▪ Corporate brand, logo, name, or trademark on cups used for beverage dispensing, menu boards, coolers, trash cans and other food service equipment; as well as on posters, book covers, pupil assignment books or school supplies displayed, distributed, offered, or sold by the district.

▪ Advertisements in school publications or school mailings.

▪ Free product samples, taste tests or coupons of a product, or free samples displaying advertising of a product.

As the District/school nutrition services/Athletics Department/PTA/PTO reviews existing contracts and considers new contracts, equipment and product purchasing (and replacement) decisions should reflect the applicable marketing guidelines established by the district wellness policy.

IV. Physical Activity

Children and adolescents should participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. A substantial percentage of students’ physical activity can be provided through a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP). A CSPAP reflects strong coordination and synergy across all the components: quality physical education as the foundation; physical activity before, during and after school; staff involvement and family and community engagement; and the district is committed to providing these opportunities. Schools will ensure that these varied physical activity opportunities are in addition to, and not as a substitute for, physical education (addressed in “Physical Education” subsection). All schools in the district will be encouraged to participate in Let’s Move! Active Schools (www.letsmoveschools.org) to successfully address all CSPAP areas.

Physical activity during the school day (including but not limited to recess, classroom physical activity breaks or physical education) will not be withheld as punishment for any reason. This does not include participation on sports teams that have specific academic requirements. The district will provide teachers and other school staff with a list of ideas for alternative ways to discipline students.

To the extent practicable, the district will ensure that its grounds and facilities are safe, and that equipment is available to students to be active. The district will conduct necessary inspections and repairs.

▪ Through a formal joint- or shared-use agreement, indoor and outdoor physical activity facilities and spaces will be open to students, their families, and the community outside of school hours. Change Lab Solutions provides guidance regarding joint- or shared-use agreements.

▪ The district will work with schools to ensure that inventories of physical activity supplies and equipment are known and, when necessary, will work with community partners to ensure enough equipment are available to encourage physical activity for as many students as possible.]

Physical Education

The district will provide students with physical education, using an age-appropriate, sequential physical education curriculum consistent with national and state standards for physical education. The physical education curriculum will promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and will help students develop skills to engage in lifelong healthy habits, as well as incorporate essential health education concepts (discussed in the “Essential Physical Activity Topics in Health Education” subsection). The curriculum will support the essential components of physical education.

All students will be provided equal opportunity to participate in physical education classes. The district will make appropriate accommodations to allow for equitable participation for all students and will adapt physical education classes and equipment as necessary.

All District elementary students in each grade will receive physical education for at least 90-149 minutes per week throughout the school year.

All secondary students (middle and high school) are required to take physical education throughout all secondary school years.

The District physical education program will promote student physical fitness through individualized fitness and activity assessments (via the Presidential Youth Fitness Program or other appropriate assessment tool) and will use criterion-based reporting for each student.

▪ Students will be moderately to vigorously active for at least 50% of class time during most or all physical education class sessions (meets Healthy Schools Program Silver-level criteria).

▪ All physical education teachers in [District] will be required to participate in at least a once-a-year professional development in education (meets Healthy Schools Program Silver-level criteria).

▪ All physical education classes in [District] are taught by licensed teachers who are certified or endorsed to teach physical education (meets Healthy Schools Program Gold-level criteria).

▪ Waivers, exemptions, or substitutions for physical education classes are not granted.

Essential Physical Activity Topics in Health Education

Health education will be required in all grades (elementary) and the district will require middle and high school students to take and pass at least one health education course. The district will include in the health education curriculum a minimum of 12 the following essential topics on physical activity:

▪ The physical, psychological, or social benefits of physical activity

▪ How physical activity can contribute to a healthy weight

▪ How physical activity can contribute to the academic learning process

▪ How an inactive lifestyle contributes to chronic disease

▪ Health-related fitness, that is, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition

▪ Differences between physical activity, exercise, and fitness

▪ Phases of an exercise session, that is, warm up, workout and cool down

▪ Overcoming barriers to physical activity

▪ Decreasing sedentary activities, such as TV watching

▪ Opportunities for physical activity in the community

▪ Preventing injury during physical activity

▪ Weather-related safety, for example, avoiding heat stroke, hypothermia and sunburn while being physically active

▪ How much physical activity is enough, that is, determining frequency, intensity, time and type of physical activity

▪ Developing an individualized physical activity and fitness plan

▪ Monitoring progress toward reaching goals in an individualized physical activity plan

▪ Dangers of using performance-enhancing drugs, such as steroids

▪ Social influences on physical activity, including media, family, peers, and culture

▪ How to find valid information or services related to physical activity and fitness

▪ How to influence, support, or advocate for others to engage in physical activity

▪ How to resist peer pressure that discourages physical activity.

Family Life/Sexual Health

The Board of Education believes that for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and beliefs to be safe, healthy and achieve academically, grades K-12 comprehensive health education must include family life/sexual health education. The goal of family life/sexual health education is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to make responsible and well- informed decisions about their health.1 The Board recognizes that parents and families have primary responsibility in supporting their children’s sexual development, values, and beliefs.

Education must respect, reinforce, and support the role of parents. The school’s role is to educate and supplement parent’s efforts in this area by providing medically accurate, age-appropriate, sequential family life/sexual health education. Education shall encourage positive communication between students and families about sexual health. Including but not limited to Erin’s Law and Child Abuse Prevention.

Grades K-12 family life/sexual health education shall follow the best practices recommended in the NYSED Guidance Document for Achieving the National and NYS Standards in Health Education.

Sexuality Education Standards to enable students to achieve the NYS and National Health Education Standards.3

The following requirements shall apply to family life/sexual health education offered by the district:

1. All curricula and instructional materials will be available for review by parents and guardians prior to the beginning of the school year and during school hours throughout the school year.

2. Education and programming shall aim to encourage and improve family communications related to sexual health.

3. Family life/sexual health education must respect and be inclusive of the diversity of values and beliefs represented in the community and meet the educational needs of all students. Educational programs shall promote civility, interpersonal and inter-group respect among students and between students and staff and families, creating an inclusive school community, being bias-free, and sensitive to the experience of specific student populations, including, but not limited to, LGBTQ and pregnant and parenting students. Education and programs shall also prevent and prohibit conduct which is inconsistent with the district’s mission, the Dignity for All Students Act, and other state and Federal legislation.

4. Family life/human sexuality education shall be accompanied by identification of and sensitivity to values and responsibilities from cultural and religious perspectives and opportunities for values clarification.

5. Family life/sexual health education shall be strength-based and focus on the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional dimensions of health.

6. Family life/sexual health education shall be evidence-based, medically accurate and age appropriate and include the functional knowledge and skills students need to be healthy and safe.

7. Research-based best practices and programs shall be included in the curriculum and related programs at the highest level possible to enhance youth health and safety and decrease unhealthy and risky behaviors, such as STD’s including HIV/AIDS, unintended adolescent pregnancy, sexual dating violence, child abuse.

8. Teachers who provide family life/sexual health education will have ongoing, quality professional development

9. Teachers who provide instruction in family life education will have professional preparation in the subject area.

The NYS Education Department Guidance Document for Achieving the NYS Standards in Health Education (2005); National Sexuality Education Standards: Core Content and Skills (2011)

NYS Dignity for All Students Act: A Resource and Promising Practices Guide for School Administrators and Faculty (2012)

National Sexuality Education Standards; Guidance Document for Achieving NYS Standards in Health Education

10. All students have the right to discuss and express their gender identity and expression openly and to decide when, with whom, and how much to share private information.

11. Staff who are mandated reporters in incidents of child abuse and neglect shall report any information that meets the requirements for reporting according to NYS and district guidelines.

12. The District shall ensure that all personally identifiable and medical information relating to transgender and gender nonconforming students shall be kept confidential in accordance with applicable state, local, and federal privacy laws.

13. Outside (resource people) individuals may be used to supplement District personnel with prior approval of the administration. Programs may take a multifaceted approach by using a wide variety of agencies and resources which represent the range of philosophies and values within our community.

14. Adolescents shall have the right to follow through on an informed choice, without coercion or influence by community agencies.

In recognition of the religious tenets of certain students, the Board, subject to the regulations of the State Board of Regents, shall excuse a student from those aspects of the required study of health, hygiene, or other areas which conflict with the religious beliefs of the student.

Ref: 20 USC §§1681 et seq.; 34 CF §106.34€ Rules of the Board of Regents §16.2 8 NYCRR §135

Mozert v. Hawkins County Public Schools, 827 F.2d 1058 (6th Circuit, 1987)

Smith v. Ricci, 89 N.J. 514, 446 A.2d 501 (1982), app. Dism. 459 U.S. 962103 S. Ct. 286 (198)

Medeiros v. Kiyosaki, 52 Haw. 436, 478 P.2d 314 (1970)

Note: Former Family Life Education policy (4312.1) adopted August 20, 1998, pursuant to Resolution No. 1998-99: 136.

B. Communicable Disease Instruction

In compliance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, the District will provide classroom instruction concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as part of a sequential and comprehensive health program for all students, K-12. Instruction must be offered during regularly scheduled classes. Such instruction will be age-appropriate, and include the following information: Model district policy on Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students, September 2015, GLSEN

NYS Office of Children and Family Services, Mandated Reporter Resource Center: http://www.nysmandatedreporter.org/SocialServiceLaw.aspx

The nature of the disease.
Methods of transmission of the disease; and
Methods of prevention of the disease (stressing abstinence as the most effective and appropriate protection against AIDS)

A student may be excused from that segment of AIDS instruction regarding methods of prevention of the disease if their parent/guardian files a request with the Superintendent of Schools. The request must give assurance that such instruction will be given at home.

The Board shall establish an advisory council which shall be responsible for making recommendations on content, implementation, and evaluation of the AIDS instructional program. The advisory council must consist of Board members, appropriate school personnel, parents, and community representatives, including representatives from religious organizations.

AIDS instruction for students in grades 9-12 may include condom availability, as provided by §135.3(2)(ii) of the Commissioner’s Regulations. Any such program must be reviewed by the advisory council, which shall make appropriate recommendations. No student shall be permitted to participate in such program if: (1) the student’s parent(s) has submitted a written request to opt out; (2) the student has not participated in appropriate AIDS instruction; or (3) the student has not received accurate and complete personal health guidance by personnel trained and supervised by competent health professionals or health educators.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for developing regulations consistent with this policy. Additional information and detail are provided in the Superintendent regulation 4315.1-R, which accompanies this policy.

Cross-ref: Superintendent Regulation 4315.1-R

Advisory Bodies policy (2260)

Students with HIV-Related Illness policy (5191)

Ref: Education Law §3204(5) 8 NYCRR §§16.2; 135.3

Ware v. Valley Stream High School District, 75 NY2d 114 (1989)

New York State School Boards Association v. Sobol, 168 AD2 188 (1991)

Matter of Ware, 28 EDR 415 (1989)

Note: Former AIDS Instruction policy (4315.1): Adopted August 20, 1998; Amended January 26, 2012, pursuant to Resolution No. 2011-12: 483.

Health Services

The district and its schools shall make their best efforts to provide:

(a) Services for students in a school setting to evaluate, protect, and promote health; and in collaboration with community partners, parents/guardians, and other constituencies.

Each school has comprehensive health services that are provided by qualified community partners and qualified District and school staff who acknowledge health service mandates and N.Y.S. Education Department Regulations.

(b) The Superintendent’s designee is responsible for program development, consistency/standardization of service delivery, meeting current standards, and utilizing quality assurance methods.

Counseling, Psychological and Social Services

The district and its schools shall make their best efforts to provide:

(a) Student support services include individual and group assessment, interventions and referrals that address the social, emotional, and mental health needs of students. Each school has comprehensive student support services that are provided by qualified community partners and qualified District and school staff. Each member of the school community for whom the district bears responsibility to provide services has access to appropriate support services.

(b) District staff and qualified community partners provide prevention education training and support to students that involve skills-based learning opportunities that address the physical, emotional, mental, behavioral, and social dimensions of health.

Recess (Elementary)

All elementary schools will offer at least 20 minutes of recess on all days during the school year. If recess is offered before lunch, schools will have appropriate hand-washing facilities and/or hand-sanitizing mechanisms located just inside/outside the cafeteria to ensure proper hygiene prior to eating and students are required to use these mechanisms before eating. Hand-washing time, as well as time to put away coats/hats/gloves, will be built into the recess transition period/time frame before students enter the cafeteria.

Outdoor recess will be offered when weather is feasible for outdoor play. Students will be allowed outside for recess except when outdoor temperature is above/below District-set temperature, inclusive of wind chill factors, during “code orange” or “code red” days, during storms with lightning or thunder, or at the discretion of the building administrator based on their best judgment of safety conditions.”

If the school or district must conduct indoor recess, teachers and staff will follow the indoor recess guidelines that promote physical activity for students, to the extent practicable.

Recess will complement, not substitute, physical education class. Recess monitors or teachers will encourage students to be active and will serve as role models by being physically active alongside the students whenever feasible.

Classroom Physical Activity Breaks (Elementary and Secondary)

The district recognizes that students are more attentive and ready to learn if provided with periodic breaks when they can be physically active or stretch. Thus, students will be offered periodic opportunities to be active or to stretch throughout the day on all or most days during a typical school week. The district recommends teachers provide short (3-5-minute) physical activity breaks to students during and between classroom time at least three days per week.

These physical activity breaks will complement, not substitute, for physical education class, recess, and class transition periods.

The district will provide resources and links to resources, tools, and technology with ideas for classroom physical activity breaks. Resources and ideas are available through USDA and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Active Academics

Teachers will incorporate movement and kinesthetic learning approaches into “core” subject instruction when possible (e.g., science, math, language arts, social studies, and others) and do their part to limit sedentary behavior during the school day.

The district will support classroom teachers incorporating physical activity and employing kinesthetic learning approaches into core subjects by providing annual professional development opportunities and resources, including information on leading activities, activity options, as well as making available background material on the connections between learning and movement.

Teachers will serve as role models by being physically active alongside the students whenever feasible.

Before and After School Activities

The district offers opportunities for students to participate in physical activity either before and/or after the school day (or both) through a variety of methods. The district will encourage students to be physically active before and after school by: The District will provide a variety of programs that are appropriate and reasonable options such as physical activity clubs, physical activity in aftercare, intramurals and/or interscholastic sports. Including but not limited to football, soccer, cheerleading, basketball, Tennis, Lacrosse, Esports etc.

Active Transport

The district will support active transport to and from school, such as walking or biking. The district will encourage this behavior by engaging in six or more of the activities below; including but not limited to: [District will select from the list below and insert them here as policy].

▪ Designate safe or preferred routes to school

▪ Promote activities such as participation in International Walk to School Week, National Walk and Bike to School Week

▪ Secure storage facilities for bicycles and helmets (e.g., shed, cage, fenced area)

▪ Instruction on walking/bicycling safety provided to students

▪ Promote safe routes program to students, staff, and parents via newsletters, websites, local newspaper

▪ Use crossing guards

▪ Use crosswalks on streets leading to schools

▪ Use walking school buses

▪ Document the number of children walking and or biking to and from school

▪ Create and distribute maps of the school environment (e.g., sidewalks, crosswalks, roads, pathways, bike racks, etc.)

V. Other Activities that Promote Student Wellness

The district will integrate wellness activities across the entire school setting, not just in the cafeteria, other food and beverage venues and physical activity facilities. The district will coordinate and integrate other initiatives related to physical activity, physical education, nutrition, and other wellness components so all efforts are complementary, not duplicative, and work towards the same set of goals and objectives promoting student well-being, optimal development, and strong educational outcomes.

Schools in the District will coordinate content across curricular areas that promote student health, such as teaching nutrition concepts in mathematics, with consultation provided by either the school or the district’s curriculum experts.

All efforts related to obtaining federal, state or association recognition for efforts, or grants/funding opportunities for healthy school environments will be coordinated with and complementary of the wellness policy, including but not limited to ensuring the involvement of the DWC/SWC.

All school-sponsored events will adhere to the wellness policy guidelines. All school-sponsored wellness events will include physical activity and healthy eating opportunities when appropriate.

Community Partnerships

The district will develop relationships with community partners (e.g., hospitals, universities/colleges, local businesses, SNAP-Ed providers, and coordinators, etc.) in support of this wellness policy’s implementation. Existing and new community partnerships and sponsorships will be evaluated to ensure that they are consistent with the wellness policy and its goals.

Community Health Promotion and Family Engagement

The district will promote to parents/caregivers, families, and the general community the benefits of and approaches for healthy eating and physical activity throughout the school year. Families will be informed and invited to participate in school-sponsored activities and will receive information about health promotion efforts. As described in the “Community Involvement, Outreach, and Communications” subsection, the district will use electronic mechanisms (e.g., email or displaying notices on the district’s website), as well as non-electronic mechanisms, (e.g., newsletters, presentations to parents or sending information home to parents), to ensure that all families are actively notified of opportunities to participate in school-sponsored activities and receive information about health promotion efforts.

Staff Wellness and Health Promotion

The DWC will have a staff wellness subcommittee that will focus on staff wellness issues, identifies, and disseminates wellness resources and performs other functions that support staff wellness in coordination with human resources staff.

Schools in the District will implement strategies to support staff in actively promoting and modeling healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. The district will promote staff member participation in health promotion programs and will support programs for staff members on healthy eating/weight management that are accessible and free or low-cost.

Professional Learning

When feasible, the district will offer annual professional learning opportunities and resources for staff to increase knowledge and skills about promoting healthy behaviors in the classroom and school (e.g., increasing the use of kinesthetic teaching approaches or incorporating nutrition lessons into math class). Professional learning will help District staff understand the connections between academics and health and the ways in which health and wellness are integrated into ongoing district reform or academic improvement plans/efforts.

Glossary:

Extended School Day – the time during, before and after school that includes activities such as clubs, intramural sports, band and choir practice, drama rehearsals and more.

School Campus - areas that are owned or leased by the school and used at any time for school- related activities, including on the outside of the school building, school buses or other vehicles used to transport students, athletic fields, and stadiums (e.g., on scoreboards, coolers, cups, and water bottles), or parking lots.

School Day – the time between midnight the night before to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional day.

Triennial – recurring every three years.

This policy has been adapted from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Model Wellness Policy, updated 9/2016 to Reflect the USDA Final Rule - Alliance for a Healthier Generation