I. Nutritional Guidelines
and Standards for Schools
A. School Meals
The School Food Service Program will continue to follow the
USDA requirements for the Federal School Meals Program and
the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children of 1996 (Dietary
Guidelines for Americans) as well as implementing the
guidelines of the Child and Nutrition WIC Reauthorization
Act of 2004.
C. Qualifications of School Food Service Staff
A qualified nutrition professional will direct the school
meal programs. As part of the school district’s responsibility
to operate a food service program, Belmont will assure all
food service staff is trained according to their levels of
responsibility.
D. Foods in Schools
Foods will not be used to celebrate birthdays, holidays or
special events in any school. Foods (this includes candy)
will not be allowed in classrooms; all food will be consumed
in the cafeteria or designated dining area per administration
at each school.
This policy does not affect daily snack K – 4 brought
in from home.
Schools will not use foods or beverages as direct rewards
for academic performance or good behavior, and will not withhold
food or beverages as a punishment.
Any food experience, considered to be an integral component
of the curriculum, must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate
curriculum director or building principals at the elementary
level and allowed only when it has been determined that other
instructional tools and accommodations cannot be substituted.
II. Physical Education and Physical
Activity Opportunities
The physical education staff will provide a sequential, developmentally
appropriate program designed, implemented and evaluated to
help students develop the knowledge, motor skills, self-management
skills, attitudes, and confidence needed to adopt and maintain
physical activity throughout their lives.
- All students in grades K – 8 will be offered physical
education.
- All students in grades 9 – 12 will be offered Wellness.
- All physical education will be taught by a certified physical
education teacher.
- In grades K – 9, physical education should be taught
to students throughout the school
year to provide the maximum activity exposure and instructional
continuity.
- In grades 10 – 12, a variety of opportunities for
students to participate in physical activities, both during
and after school, are available.
Schools will not use physical activity (e.g. running laps,
pushups) or withhold opportunities for physical activity (e.g.
recess, physical education) as punishment.
For students to fully embrace regular physical activity as
a personal behavior, students need opportunities for physical
activity beyond physical education class.
Opportunities for physical activity are provided through such
programs as intramurals, extended day programs, extra curricular
activities and interscholastic sports after school.
Belmont is committed to providing daily recess for students
in grades K-5, recognizing the importance of recess to this
age group.
III. Health Services
The school nurses will promote healthy eating for students
and staff with individual and classroom education.
The school nurses shall be prepared to recognize disordered
eating conditions and other nutrition related health problems
in students and staff, and refer them to appropriate services.
The school nurses will screen students for height, weight
and Body Mass Index as directed by the Massachusetts Department
of Public Health. The data will be compiled and reported with
other relevant data to evaluate school wellness guidelines.
IV. Health and Wellness Programs
A. Health Curriculum
The health education curriculum will include nutritional
education following the Massachusetts Department of Education
(DOE) Curriculum Frameworks at all levels consistent with
our system’s goals of offering elementary, middle and
high school health education.
B. Communication with Parents
- The district will support parents’ efforts to provide
a healthy diet and daily physical activity for their children.
- Monthly food service menus will be distributed and sent
home with students in the elementary schools. Menus
will be posted on the Belmont Public Schools web site
and published weekly in the local newspaper.
- Schools will share information with parents and students
about the nutritional value of foods upon request.
- The
school health department web site will post events for
parents and children with opportunities to be physically
active outside of school.
C. Staff Wellness
Belmont Public Schools will encourage activities that support
efforts by staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Occasional
staff wellness programs will be offered based on interest
and resources available for implementation.
V. Monitoring and Review
Ongoing assessment and evaluation of the implementation of
the wellness policy is necessary in order to meet stated guidelines.
The principal will ensure compliance with these guidelines
in his / her school and will report on the school’s
compliance to the school superintendent or designee. The superintendent
or designee will ensure compliance with established district-wide
nutrition and physical activity wellness guidelines.
Evaluation of these guidelines will be directed by the District’s
Health Advisory Council, which is comprised of many members:
Superintendent; Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and
Instruction; Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and
Student Activities; Director of Science and Health Education;
Director of Nursing Services; Principals of Chenery Middle
and Belmont High School; teachers, guidance counselors, school
physician, school committee member, parents, and students.
This group, which represents a diverse cross-section of the
school community, will meet quarterly.
The district will, as necessary, amend the guidelines in
order to continue to meet the intentions of the Wellness Policy
for the Belmont Public Schools. |
