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The
Archdiocese of
Indianapolis
School
Wellness Policy
Rationale
Whereas,
we, the Church in central and southern
Indiana
, called to faith and
salvation in Jesus Christ in the Roman Catholic tradition, strive to
live the Gospel. (Archdiocese of
Indianapolis
Mission
Statement)
Whereas,
we hold a sacred trust to educate and form the whole person—mind,
body, and spirit; (NCEA
statement on accountability and assessment in Catholic Education.)
Whereas,
obesity rates have doubled in preschoolers and adolescents and more
than tripled for children ages 6-11; (Ogden,
C.L.; Flegel, K.M. et. al. Prevalence and trends in overweight among
US children and adolescents, 1999-2000. JAMA,.2002:288(14):1728-1732)
Whereas,
the State of
Indiana
was ranked third in the
nation in 2001, in percentage of childhood obesity; (Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention)
Whereas,
this increase in childhood obesity is now being accompanied by a
rapid increase in Type II Diabetes in children and adolescents. (IDOH, The Burden of Diabetes
in Indiana 2004)
Whereas,
the probability of childhood overweight persisting into adulthood
increases from approximately 20% at 4 years of age, to between 40%
and 80% by adolescence; (Guo,
S.S., Chumlea, W.C.; Tracking of body mass index in children in
relation to overweight in adulthood. Am J Clin Nutr., 1999:70 (suppl):145S-148S)
Whereas,
“Some observers have noted a worrisome correlation between weight
problems and poor academic achievement;” (Childhood
Obesity, Vol 6, No 1, Spring 2006)
Whereas,
“controlling…calorie intake is key to fighting the growing
obesity problem among youths. Children…are expending far fewer
calories through exercise than previous generations, while consuming
more empty calories;” (Walsh, Dr. M.N., Indpls. Star,
May 4, 2006
)
Whereas
Section 204 of Federal Public Law 108-265—
June 30, 2004
(see http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Healthy/108-265.pdf
) requires the
creation and implementation of school wellness policies, and;
Whereas, the
Indiana
Act #111, enacted by
the General Assembly signed into law,
March 15, 2006
, (see http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo)
requires non-public accredited schools to limit vending machine
content and contains a requirement for daily physical
activity;
Whereas,
the Archdiocese of Indianapolis is committed to supporting school
environments that promote and protect the health, well-being and
ability of students to learn by supporting access to healthy foods,
nutrition education, and participation in physical activity;
Therefore,
The
Archdiocese of Indianapolis shall adopt and promulgate an
Archdiocesan Wellness Policy for its schools that takes into account
the recommendations made by the Wellness Policy Task Force, whose
members addressed the areas of health education, nutrition and
physical activity, in relation to the current laws and research.
Policy
It
is the policy of the Archdiocese of
Indianapolis
that:
Whenever
available, schools will participate in federal school meal and milk
programs. Foods and beverages sold or served at school will meet the
current nutrition recommendations of the
U.S.
Dietary Guidelines
for Americans. (This
document may be accessed at http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines
)
All
students in grades PreK-12 will have increased opportunities, and
encouragement to be physically active on a regular basis. Schools
will integrate nutrition education into all curriculum areas. Each
of the schools within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis will actively
engage their school community in following steps that will enable
school-wide wellness.
Each
school administrator, in compliance with the aforementioned federal
and state laws, will designate at least one individual on the
faculty or staff to spearhead this effort in conjunction with the
existing School Commission/Board, to implement, monitor, review, and
revise school nutrition and physical activity programs.
The
school commission/board may assist in the accomplishment of this
goal by appointing a subcommittee. Such a subcommittee would consist
of individuals representing the school and community, parents,
students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers,
health professionals, and the public.
Each
school will submit an annual report to the Archdiocesan Education
Commission (AEC), by April 1 of each year, listing its responses to
the wellness policy requirements.
Rules
of Administration
I.
Health and Nutrition Education
•
Health education
is offered through grade nine, as part of the State of
Indiana
standards-based
curriculum, designed to provide students with the knowledge and
skills necessary to promote and protect their health.
•
After grade nine,
high schools are expected to offer students continuing nutrition and
wellness education as electives, or in other curricular areas..
•
Health education
may include enjoyable, developmentally appropriate, culturally
relevant participatory activities, such as contests, promotions,
taste testing, farm visits and school gardens.
•
Health education
will promote fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, lowfat and
fat-free dairy products, healthy food preparation methods, and
health-enhancing nutrition practices.
•
Emphasis will be
placed on caloric balance between food intake and energy expenditure
(physical activity/exercise).
•
Health education
will include the study of food advertising, including marketing
goals versus nutritional truth.
•
Each school will
support parental efforts to provide a healthy diet and daily
physical activity for their children by communicating with the home,
and sharing the growing knowledge regarding health and nutrition.
•
Parents will be
encouraged to obtain BMI (Body Mass Index) information during the
child’s annual physical examination. Optimally, blood pressure
checks should be performed on all students on an annual basis (In
buildings utilizing the position of school nurse, these activities
may already be in place).
•
The school lunch
room will serve as a focus to support the integration of nutrition
education with healthy lifestyle choices. Schools are encouraged to
display the nutritional value of food, as well as promotional
materials to reinforce good health.
•
Training and
other educational information will be offered to teachers and
parents in order that they become more aware, and informed
concerning wellness topics
II.
School Nutrition
•
School meals
will:
-be appealing and attractive to children.
-be served in clean and pleasant settings.
-serve only low fat milk and
nutritionally-equivalent non-dairy
alternatives,
i.e. natural fruit juice.
-meet, at a minimum, nutrition requirements
established by local, state and
federal statutes and regulations.
-offer a variety of fresh fruits and
vegetables as often as possible.
-introduce whole grain bread, brown rice,
oatmeal, etc. whenever possible.
• Schools
offering breakfast will, to the extent possible, arrange student
arrival schedules and utilize methods to encourage participation.
• Schools that
serve breakfast to students will frequently notify parents and
students of the availability of the School Breakfast Program.
• Schools are
encouraged to provide students with at least ten minutes to eat
after sitting down for breakfast and 20 minutes after sitting down
for lunch.
• Schools will
schedule meal periods at appropriate times, i.e. lunch will be
scheduled between
11: 00 a.m.
and
1:00 p.m.
• Elementary
schools are encouraged to schedule lunch periods to follow recess
periods. Research has shown that recess before lunch is beneficial
because students may take more time to eat and finish their meal.
• Schools will
refrain from scheduling tutoring, club, or organizational meetings
or activities during meal times, unless students may eat school
lunch during such activities.
• According to
state law, beginning in July, 2006, at least 35% of the food and
beverage items available for sale at a school, or on school grounds,
must qualify as “better choice” foods, or beverages. In
September, 2007, this percentage increases to 50%. However, the
Archdiocese encourages schools
to go beyond these minimums. Food
items and beverage items that meet all of the qualifying standards
which are considered better food and beverage choices may be found
in the body of the state law. (Bill 111 may be accessed at http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo
)
• Portion
sizes of foods and beverages sold individually should adhere to
those limits listed below, and progress toward these guidelines must
be made by June 2007.
A
food item available for sale at a school, or on school grounds may
not exceed the following portion limits if the food item contains
more than 210 calories:
1.
In the case of potato chips, crackers, popcorn, cereal, trail mixes,
nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and jerky, 1.75 ounces.
2.
In the case of cookies and cereal bars, 2 ounces.
3.
In the case of bakery items, including pastries, muffins, and
donuts, 2 ounces.
4.
In the case of frozen desserts, including ice cream, 3 fluid ounces.
5.
In the case of nonfrozen yogurt, 8 ounces.
6.
In the case of entrée items and side dish items, including French fries
and onion rings, the food item available for sale may not exceed the
portion of the same entrée item or side dish item that is served
as part of the school lunch program or school breakfast program.
7.
A beverage item available for sale at a school or on school grounds
may not exceed 20 ounces.
• In order to
support children’s health and school nutrition educational
efforts, every attempt will be made to replace school fundraising
activities which involve food, with alternative choices.
• A positive
contribution to children’s diets and health is made by serving
fruits and vegetables as the primary snacks with water as the
primary beverage.
• If eligible,
schools that provide snacks through after school programs should
pursue reimbursement through the National School Lunch Program.
• School food
service personnel will participate in training, provided by the
state, county, or local educational agency, on a regular basis.
• Every effort
will be made to educate parents and students concerning healthy
choices for lunches brought from home: Parents and students
will be encouraged to include fresh fruits and other healthy items,
rather than packaged chips, etc. Soft drinks may not be brought to
school.
• Elementary
students are not to have access to vending machines at any time
during the school day.
• “Fast
food” meals brought in to the schools will occur no more than once
per month. The foods chosen for these meals must be low in fat,
sugar, and sodium. Whole grain products should be chosen when
available.
• In light of
the information available regarding childhood nutrition, schools
will discontinue the practice of using candy, soft drinks, or food
snacks as rewards for academic performance, or good behavior.
• Food or
beverages, including food served through the school meals, will
never be withheld from students as a disciplinary measure.
• Schools will
limit celebrations that involve food during the school day to no
more than one party per class per month, encouraging healthy food
choices and other means of celebrating, (i.e. games)..
III.
Physical Activity
In
order for students to meet the nationally recommended amount of
daily physical activity of 60 minutes, the school will aim to
provide at least 30 minutes per day, including but not limited to,
classroom movement activities, physical education class, recess and
extracurricular activities.
• If not
already accomplished, every school will move toward the employment
of a licensed physical education instructor.
• Classroom
education will complement physical education classes by reinforcing
the knowledge and skills needed to maintain an active lifestyle and
to reduce time spent in sedentary activities.
• Regular
classroom teachers will make adaptations which will allow students
to experience an increased healthy physical environment by examining
the school day for opportunities for increased physical movement;
i.e., during class transition times and other previously
unrecognized chances to implement beneficial activities.
• High schools
will examine opportunities to offer physical activities to all
students (i.e. open gym, intramurals, physical activity clubs,
access to the weight room, Yoga, dancing, etc.)
• Elementary
and high schools will examine the possibility of holding an “open
gym” time before the school day begins which would include both
the use of the available equipment and adequate adult supervision.
• The
development and implementation of interscholastic, extracurricular
and intramural programs will be undertaken to the advantage of
students.
• All schools
are encouraged to take part in the President’s Fitness Challenge
or other fitness assessment.
• Schools will
encourage fundraising activities that promote physical activity,
(i.e. Walk-a-thons, Jump Rope for Heart, etc.)
• Walking or
biking to school in order to promote physical activity will be
encouraged if it is safe.
• Volunteers
involved in any type of physical activity with students will be
trained in order to provide optimum safety.
• Those in
charge will plan recess activities each day for all elementary
school students;
(i.e., games, and/or equipment for student use such as jump ropes,
balls, etc.)
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