healthy kids, healthy schools putting new school wellness legislation into practice
TRANSCRIPT
Healthy Kids, Healthy Healthy Kids, Healthy SchoolsSchools
Healthy Kids, Healthy Healthy Kids, Healthy SchoolsSchools
Putting New School Wellness Putting New School Wellness Legislation into PracticeLegislation into Practice
Objectives
o Review Section 204 of the Child Nutrition Act which requires LEAs to have “school wellness policies” by 2006-07 school year
o Describe the components & requirements of the local wellness policies
o Understand the process of policy developmento Become familiar with Oregon’s Model Policy
Language
The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004
Public Law 108-265 enacted June 30, 2004
Section 204—Local Wellness Policies
“Not later than the first day of the school year beginning after June 30, 2006, each local education agency…shall establish a local school wellness policy”
School Wellness Policy Why?
o Reaches beyond the USDA – funded school meal program to influence child health
o Puts responsibility at the local levelo Recognizes the critical role of schools in
curbing the epidemic of childhood obesityo Provides an opportunity for school districts to
create an environment that fosters healthy lifestyle behaviors – making the healthy choice the easy choice
School Wellness Policy Provisions
School Districts will establish school wellness policies that include:
o Goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school based activities designed to promote student wellness
o Nutrition guidelines for all foods available during the school day, with the objective of promoting student health and reducing childhood overweight.
o Assurances that guidelines for reimbursable school meals shall not be less restrictive than USDA guidelines
Incorporating Nutrition Education
“Primary goal is to influence students’ eating behaviors. Building nutrition knowledge & skills helps children make healthy eating choices.”
o Students receive nutrition education that is interactive and teaches skills they need to adopt healthy eating behaviors
o Nutrition education is offered in the school cafeteria as well as in the classroom, with coordination between food service staff & teachers
o Students receive consistent nutrition messages throughout the school environment.
o District health education curriculum standards include both nutrition and physical activity
o Staff who provide nutrition education have appropriate training
Setting Physical Activity Goals
“The primary goal is to provide opportunities for every student to develop the knowledge & skills for physical
activity, maintain physical fitness, ensure regular participation in physical activity, and teach students
the benefits of a physically active lifestyle”
o Students are given opportunities for physical activity during the school day through PE, recess, and integration of physical activity into the academic curriculum
o Opportunities are provided through a range of before and after school programs
o Schools partner with the community to create ways for students to walk and bike to school safely
o Schools provide training to teachers and other staff to promote enjoyable, lifelong physical activity among students
Nutrition Guidelines for ALL Foods & Beverages Available on School Campus during the School Day
“Policies should focus on guidelines for maximizing nutritional value by decreasing fat and added sugars, increasing nutrition density and moderating portion
size”
o A la carte cafeteria saleso Vending machineso Student Storeo Concession standso Classroom parties, special events and meetingso Fundraising events
School Wellness Policy Provisions
continued
o A plan for measuring the implementation of the school wellness policy , including designation of at least one person charged with operational responsibility for ensuring that each school fulfills the District’s wellness policy
o Community involvement, including parents, students, food service staff, school board, school administrators, and community members
USDA Responsibilities for Development of Local Wellness Policies
o Provide Technical Assistance, model examples, and best practices for LEAs, school food authorities, and State Agencies
o USDA is working in collaboration with USDOE (SDFS), and CDC-DASH
o Web-based technical assistance Team Nutrition – www.fns.usda.gov/tn
What’s happening in Oregon?
o Food Choices in Oregon Schools report developed by the Nutrition Task Force and presented to the State Board of
Education in April 2005.o Model Wellness Policy Language developed in partnership
with the Oregon School Board Association www.osba.org o Nutrition Guidelines for Food in Schools outside of the School
Meal Program developed and presented to State Board of Education in April 2005.
o Regional School Wellness Policy Workshops provided by Community Health Partnerships
How are policies How are policies developed?developed?
How are policies How are policies developed?developed?
What is a Policy?o A course or principle of action adopted
or proposed by a party, government, business, or individual
o Policy serves as a guide to action based on expectations and regulations.
What should be doneWhy it should be doneWho should do it
A Roadmap for Policy Change
1. Initial Homework2. Lay the Groundwork3. Assess School District’s Needs4. Revise or draft a new Policy5. Build awareness & support 6. Develop & implement plan for
policy change7. Monitor and evaluate
A Recipe for Policy Success
o Heaps of compassion, commitment & patience
o A strong dose of political savvyo Liberal amounts of nutrition & physical
activity expertiseo Thorough knowledge of the school
districto Copious amounts of communication,
leadership skills, and flexibility
Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn:
A School Health Policy Guide
• Sample policy language, online at www.nasbe.org/HealthySchools
• Full explanations
• Research findings; notable quotes; excerpts of actual policies
• Resource lists
But Always Remember…
The process of developing a policy is as important as the policy itself !
YOUTHYOUTH
AgenciesGovernment
Persuading Education Leaders
o Link to existing policies, programs, and goalso Use current terminology (‘education reform’,
‘ready to learn’, ‘academic achievement’)o Note serious problems/needs, but emphasize
solutionso Identify policy options o Be honest about costs and potential
implementation problems
o Highlight school health as an emerging trend
Persistence Pays
o Respect the hierarchyo Stay focused on the
ultimate goalo Don’t expect quick or easy
successo Sustain the efforto Be willing to compromise…
but know your bottom lineo Don’t burn your bridges
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Meade
Oregon’s Model Wellness Policy
Jigsaw Directions
• Purple - Preamble• Pink - Nutrition Guidelines• Blue - Nutrition Education• Khaki Green - Physical Fitness• Golden Yellow - Other School-Based
Activities