The Student Wellness Policy Washoe County School District

What is a Wellness Policy?• Goals

• Nutrition education, physical activity & other school wellness activities

• Nutrition Guidelines • For all foods available on each school campus during the school

day

• Reimbursable School Meals Guidelines• Must be no less restrictive than regulations and guidance issued

by the Secretary of Agriculture (pursuant to the Child Nutrition Act and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act)

• Measuring Plan• Including designation of 1 or more persons at each school charged

with operational responsibility for adherence and enforcement

• Community Involvement • Parents, students, and representatives of the school food

authority, the school board, school administrators, and the public

Why Do We Need One?• Why not?

• Congress passed a law (P.L. 108 - 265) stating that “each local educational agency participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006.”

• The legislation places the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level

• Created in response to community concern about the wide availability of unhealthy foods and beverages sold on school grounds.

• To control the sale and distribution of foods in competition with the meal programs

• Vending Machines• Fundraisers• Outside vendors• Giveaways• Celebrations

Washoe County School District’s WP1. Wellness Coordinators/Ambassadors

Designate a person at each school site Responsible for setting goals and submitting yearly data

2. Food Specifications All foods and beverages must meet nutrition guidelines

served, sold or given to students on school grounds during the school day

3. Reimbursable Meals All food and beverages made available to students from ½ hour

before instruction begins until ½ hour after instruction ends are governed by the Wellness Policy

Meals under the National School Lunch & Breakfast Program are exempt from this policy (a la carte items must comply)

4. Meal Length At least 15 minutes for students to consume breakfast and at

least 20 minutes for students to consume lunch

5. Daily Physical Activity & Recess Serve lunch in the elementary schools after the mid-day recess

period. Designate at least 30 minutes of time daily, for physical activity

Washoe County School District’s WP

6. Food Allergies Guidelines shall be established for managing students

with food allergies based on generally recommended guidelines: parent responsibilities administrative and staff education training and procedures for reasonably accommodating

these students to ensure the safest food handling sanitation procedures eating environment

Food Allergy Form

7. Oversight Site-level contact Advisory group composed of representatives from the school

community Measuring plan (specific questions re: nutrition & physical

activity)

8. Monitoring Nevada Department of Education shall provide a website or

form to collect data and evaluate outcomes from policy implementation

Washoe County School District’s WP

Food Specifications• Foods and beverages high in fat, salt, sugar, caffeine, and

large serving sizes are no longer allowed. Healthy choices and moderate portions must be served instead. Advertising and promotion of prohibited items are no longer allowed.

Allowed Not Allowed

Water, 100% fruit juice or vegetable juice, nonfat or 1% milk, soymilk or rice milk, sports drinks in secondary schools

Sodas, carbonated drinks, milkshakes, coffee drinks, energy drinks, any beverage over 12 ounces

Baked chips, pretzels, rice cakes, corn nuts, seeds

Regular chips, fried foods

Low-fat muffins, whole-grain granola Large cookies, bagels and muffins

Low-fat yogurts, fruits & vegetables Candy and gum

Typical Scenarios/FAQUSE OF FOOD AS REWARDS FOR CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR/ACADEMIC AWARDS?The student wellness policy does not govern a teacher’s classroom management. However, any food or beverage made available during school hours must meet the policy guidelines. Teachers, administrators, and parent groups are urged to reward students in ways that promote health.

CLASS PARTIES?Foods and beverages at class parties must follow the policy. At the teacher’s discretion, exceptions include foods and beverages served in observance of state or national holidays, established religious or community observances, or as part of a learning experience. Food sold as part of a business enterprise or fundraising activity are not exempt from the policy.

PTA POTLUCK DINNER OR TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEONS?There are no restrictions on foods and beverages made available to staff and parents. Free refreshments at a PTA meeting or open house are not subject to the policy, as long as it is after hours.

BAKE SALES & THE SELLING OF SODA, CANDY, AND CHIPS?Soda, candy, chips, and any other foods that do not meet the nutrition standards can no longer be given or sold to students during instructional hours. These foods are allowed at school events after hours or on weekends, or on holidays. Individuals or groups are encouraged to offer healthy choices or alternatives to selling unhealthy foods to raise money. At the principal’s discretion, healthy bake sale items such as low-fat banana bread, zucchini muffins, fruit crisp, may be sold during school hours (1/2 hour before or after school). Unhealthy bake sale items such as frosted cakes, cookies, doughnuts, must be sold outside of school hours.

School NutritionWashoe County School District

Nutrition Services

Washoe County School District

Nutrition Services Mission Statement

Utilizing great customer service to provide nutritious, high quality meals to every

student in a healthy and safe environment, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Overview on Achieving Dining Success

Nutrition Education

Environment

Focus on Nutrition & Wellness

Increase Meal Participation

Menu Operations

Speed of Service

Flexible Implementation Options

Holistic Holistic ApproachApproach

Improve Financial & Operations Performance

Increase Student & Parent Satisfaction

Engage Employees & the Community

Age-Specific Dining Brands

CoolCaf for Elementary– Fun, food-court inspired concept for

your youngest customers with six-item fruit and vegetable bars in every school

12 Spot™ for MS– High-energy dining environment for

your “tweens” that reflects their lifestyle, preferences, and activities

U.B.U. Lounge™ for HS– Fun, vibrant, and comfortable space for

your teens to dine, socialize, and fuel up for their busy schedule

Every year, about 30 schools will receive holistic dining environments that promote healthy meal selection and

increase student meal participation. This year – 31 schools!

New Menus & Breakfast Commitment

“Evidence suggests that breakfast consumption may improve cognitive function related to memory, test grades, and school attendance.”

— Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Lookout for new menus for all grade levels with a focus on:

•Locally Grown ingredients•Whole-Grain vs. bleached flour products

•Increased Vegetarian offerings•Lower Fat and Lower Sodium recipes and products

Encouraging students to try some of the new entrees including: Sweet & Sour Chicken with brown riceSpaghetti & Meatballs made with Barilla Plus pastaRanch-Style Chili con Carne with cornbreadHummus Vegetable Platter and more!

AMP Up with Breakfast is our refreshed breakfast program for middle and high school students. AMP Up offers:

•easy-to-implement breakfast delivery options for classrooms, cafeterias and/or portable stations, •over 400 grab-and-go product options that will be used to enhance existing offerings

We will also be offering Breakfast in the Classroom in more elementary schools.

We support nutrition and wellness by serving high-quality, nourishing, balanced meals that meet or exceed federal and state nutrition guidelines. This includes:

Low and non-fat dairy optionsLean protein choicesAccess to a wide variety of fruits and vegetablesIncreased fiber from whole grains, legumes, fruits & veggiesReduced-sodium foodsGrains with more than 50% whole grain ingredients100% juice and water1% and fat free milk

Nutritional comparison - Now vs. Last Year

Sodium 13% Calcium 53%Saturated Fat 11%  Protein 29%Carbohydrates 13% Vitamin A 158%

Fiber 77%

Focus on Nutrition

Nutrition Calculator

• Allow students, parents, and school nurses to calculate calories

• Allows for a user-friendly evaluation of the nutrition content of any combination of meal selections

• Easy to save from the web site and is easily viewed on a local computer

Wellness/Nutrition Education & Promotions

ACE® the fox Elementary Nutrition Mascot Program

– Monthly Program with a “Stay Healthy” Message – Poster series– Monthly Parent Newsletters– ACE Website

Treat Yourself Right Middle and High School Communications designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, wellness education, and “better for you” offerings

– Informative newsletters published bi-monthly– Flyers & Posters– Menu Identifiers & Countertop Signage– Nutrition Tips

Other programs and initiatives that encourage students’ development of healthy lifestyle habits and education in basics of good nutrition to include:

•involvement in First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let Move” campaign•partnerships with local PTOs/PTAs•involvement in District Wellness Committee

THANK YOU!

Tony Cook, Director of Nutrition ServicesKeziah Calmese, Marketing & Communications

(775) 353-5930