UPDATING YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT’SWELLNESS POLICY

Regional School Wellness Policy Training

February 2015

New Mexico Public Education Department

New Mexico Department of Health

MAKING THE CONNECTION:HEALTH AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS

→ More alert

→ More academically motivated

→ Positive self-esteem

→ Reduced absenteeism

→ Healthier weights

→ Fewer emotional and behavioral issues

→ Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and triglycerides and other chronic diseases

32.6

22.9

26.3

26.6

19.3

33.5

34.7

39.6

0 10 20 30 40 50

Drank soda two or more times/day*

Watched TV less than 3 hours/day*

Physically active 5 days of past 7 days

Ate Breakfast Daily*

% HS Students Who Get Mostly A Grades

Healthy Behavior and Academic Success2013 NM YRRS

Yes No

*statistically significant association

Healthy Eating Active Living & Academic Performance

GOOD FIT TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS’ MISSIONS

“Provide opportunity for students to achieve potential” (Melrose)

“Foster positive attitudes and skills leading toward healthy, responsible citizenship …” (Hagerman)

“Further positive intellectual, physical, ethical, and social development” (Lordsburg)

Prepare students to “become productive, responsible, and culturally enriched citizens” (Deming)

BOTTOM LINEThe Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010 requires local education agencies (LEAs) to establish a school district wellness policy that sets goals for:

nutrition education

nutrition standards for USDA meals

nutrition standards for competitive & other foods & beverages offered during the school day

physical education and activity

staff and student wellness

promotion and marketing

GETTING STARTEDIdentify designated lead

Build the team PE teacher

Food service staff

School health staff

School administrator

School board member

Parents

Students

Community members

DESIGNATE YOUR LEAD

The HHFKA of 2010 requires LEAs to designate one or more officials to ensure schools comply with the new local school wellness policy. In addition, it requires the LEA to identify within the written local school district wellness policy, the position of the LEA or school official(s) responsible for oversight.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM

The HHFKA of 2010 requires LEAs to establish a diverse team made up of committed school and community stakeholders to develop a policy that works toward improved health and wellness outcomes for school children and staff.

SCHOOL DISTRICT WELLNESS POLICY TEAM

Set up regular meetings

Know the new federal and state requirements

Assess your wellness policy

Update and strengthen

Build support

Obtain superintendent and school board approval

Conduct trainings and implement policy

Monitor progress

NUTRITION EDUCATION & PROMOTION

Assess your school district’s current policy for nutrition education and promotion

(10 minutes)

NUTRITION EDUCATION & PROMOTION

RequiredInclude nutrition education for all grade levelsProvide age and culturally appropriate opportunities to learn about healthy foodPromote healthy foods and beverages throughout school settingProvide information to families that promotes healthy eating at homeEncourage schools to use USDA’s Team Nutrition resources

NUTRITION EDUCATION & PROMOTION

RecommendedRestrict using food or beverages as rewards for academic performance or good behaviorLimit classroom celebrations involving food during the school day to one per monthRequire foods and beverages offered or sold at school-sponsored events outside the school day meet nutrition standards for competitive foodsPromote non-food fundraising and fundraising activities involving physical activity

NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR USDA MEALSRequired:

New Meal Pattern

Final year of 3 year transition 2014-15

6 Cent Certification

Nationally: about 93% of schools

NM: about 74% of schools

Update to meet the 2014-15 guidelines

NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR USDA MEALS

Recommended:

New Meal Pattern

Be creative

Use fresh foods; Not prepackaged

Edible gardens and local grown

6 Cent Certification

Update to meet the 2014-15 guidelines

NUTRITION STANDARDS FOR COMPETITIVE AND OTHER FOODS AND BEVERAGES

SMART SNACKSRequired:

All Foods Sold In Schools

July 1, 2014

Ultimate responsibility of the LEA

Smart Snacks calculator

Part of the Administrative Review

NM STATE GUIDELINES

NM State will align with the SMART SNACKS Guidelines

Required:

These are the minimum guidelines

50/50 rule and any previous NM State Rules for afterschool hours are obsolete

NM STATE GUIDELINES

NM State will align with the SMART SNACKS Guidelines

Recommended:

These are the minimum guidelines

District, School, Classroom can choose stricter guidelines

FUNDRAISERS

NM State will allow:

Any food fundraiser at any time that meets the SMART SNACKS foods and beverage guidelines

2 Exempt food fundraisers per semester/trimester, per school, per year.

Encourage non food fundraisers

PHYSICAL EDUCATION & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Assess your school district’s current policy for physical education and physical activity

(10 minutes)

PHYSICAL EDUCATION & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

RequiredProvide opportunities for physical activity outside of physical education for all grade levelsIncorporate physical activity into other core subjectsInclude goals and benchmarks for physical activity and educationProhibit withholding or use of physical activity or education as punishment

PHYSICAL EDUCATION & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

RecommendationsSupport locally grown purchases for school meals

Support the establishment of school edible gardens

Support walk and roll to school efforts, such as walking school buses, Safe Routes to School, and Walk and Roll to School days

Support open schoolyards for community use without having to sign a user agreement

Incorporate physical activity into the school day including classroom fit breaks

Support daily recess and/or recess before lunch

STUDENT & STAFF WELLNESS

Assess your school district’s current policy for student and staff wellness promotion and marketing

(10 minutes)

STUDENT & STAFF WELLNESS

Staff who participate in wellness programs:

Serve as positive role models

Reduce health risk behaviors

Reduce absenteeism

STUDENT & STAFF WELLNESSSupport staff health-promoting activities which focus on skill development and lifestyle behavior change

Support staff access to facilities which meet employee wellness needs

Require school nutrition standards apply to all foods, beverages, and vending machines available to staff members

Integrate staff wellness program into district and school culture and structure

Encourage staff wellness programs such as employee assistance programs, emergency care, and worksite screening programs

Require ongoing assessment/evaluation to improve staff wellness program’s effectiveness and efficiency

IMPLEMENTATION, EVALUATION & COMMUNICATION

Assess your school district’s current policy for implementation, evaluation and communication

(10 minutes)

ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

A School District Wellness Policy is arequirement of the Admin. Review

The Federal and State requirements must be incorporated into your School District Wellness Policy

The State Agency will request a copy of your SDWP prior to the onsite Administrative Review

BRINGING IT HOMEIdentify designated lead

Build the team

Set up regular meetings

Update and strengthen

Build school support

Obtain district approval

Conduct trainings & implement

Monitor progress

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Role of DOH

Role of HKHC

Role of PED

THANK YOU!Rita Condon

505 476-7616

rita.condon@state.nm.us

Donia Intriere

505 827-1465

donna.intriere@state.nm.us

Perdita Wexler

505 827-1468

perdita.wexler@state.nm.us

Illustrations by

Toni Truesdale