Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools

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Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools

• Putting New School Wellness Legislation into
  Practice

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Objectives

• Review Section 204 of the Child Nutrition Act
  which requires LEAs to have school wellness
  policies by 2006-07 school year
• Describe the components requirements of the
  local wellness policies
• Understand the process of policy development
• Become familiar with Oregons Model Policy
  Language

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The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act
of 2004

• Public Law 108-265 enacted June 30, 2004
• Section 204Local Wellness Policies
• Not later than the first day of the school year
  beginning after June 30, 2006, each local
  education agencyshall establish a local school
  wellness policy

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School Wellness Policy Why?

• Reaches beyond the USDA funded school meal
  program to influence child health
• Puts responsibility at the local level
• Recognizes the critical role of schools in
  curbing the epidemic of childhood obesity
• Provides an opportunity for school districts to
  create an environment that fosters healthy
  lifestyle behaviors making the healthy choice
  the easy choice

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School Wellness Policy Provisions School
Districts will establish school wellness
policies that include

• Goals for nutrition education, physical activity
  and other school based activities designed to
  promote student wellness
• Nutrition guidelines for all foods available
  during the school day, with the objective of
  promoting student health and reducing childhood
  overweight.
• Assurances that guidelines for reimbursable
  school meals shall not be less restrictive than
  USDA guidelines

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Incorporating Nutrition Education

• Primary goal is to influence students eating
  behaviors. Building nutrition knowledge skills
  helps children make healthy eating choices.
• Students receive nutrition education that is
  interactive and teaches skills they need to adopt
  healthy eating behaviors
• Nutrition education is offered in the school
  cafeteria as well as in the classroom, with
  coordination between food service staff
  teachers
• Students receive consistent nutrition messages
  throughout the school environment.
• District health education curriculum standards
  include both nutrition and physical activity
• Staff who provide nutrition education have
  appropriate training

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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
• Students are given opportunities for physical
  activity during the school day through PE,
  recess, and integration of physical activity into
  the academic curriculum
• Opportunities are provided through a range of
  before and after school programs
• Schools partner with the community to create ways
  for students to walk and bike to school safely
• Schools provide training to teachers and other
  staff to promote enjoyable, lifelong physical
  activity among students

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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
• A la carte cafeteria sales
• Vending machines
• Student Store
• Concession stands
• Classroom parties, special events and meetings
• Fundraising events

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School Wellness Policy Provisions continued

• 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 Districts wellness policy
• Community involvement, including parents,
  students, food service staff, school board,
  school administrators, and community members

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USDA Responsibilities for Development of Local
Wellness Policies

• Provide Technical Assistance, model examples, and
  best practices for LEAs, school food authorities,
  and State Agencies
• USDA is working in collaboration with USDOE
  (SDFS), and CDC-DASH
• Web-based technical assistance Team Nutrition
  www.fns.usda.gov/tn

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Whats happening in Oregon?

• Food Choices in Oregon Schools report developed
  by the Nutrition Task Force and presented to the
  State Board of Education in April 2005.
• Model Wellness Policy Language developed in
  partnership with the Oregon School Board
  Association www.osba.org
• Nutrition Guidelines for Food in Schools outside
  of the School Meal Program developed and
  presented to State Board of Education in April
  2005.
• Regional School Wellness Policy Workshops
  provided by Community Health Partnerships

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How are policies developed?
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What is a Policy?

• A course or principle of action adopted or
  proposed by a party, government, business, or
  individual
• Policy serves as a guide to action based on
  expectations and regulations.
• What should be done
• Why it should be done
• Who should do it

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A Roadmap for Policy Change

1. Initial Homework
2. Lay the Groundwork
3. Assess School Districts Needs
4. Revise or draft a new Policy
5. Build awareness support
6. Develop implement plan for policy change
7. Monitor and evaluate

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A Recipe for Policy Success

• Heaps of compassion, commitment patience
• A strong dose of political savvy
• Liberal amounts of nutrition physical activity
  expertise
• Thorough knowledge of the school district
• Copious amounts of communication, leadership
  skills, and flexibility

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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

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But Always Remember

• The process of developing a policy is as
  important as the policy itself !

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YOUTH
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Persuading Education Leaders

• Link to existing policies, programs, and goals
• Use current terminology (education reform,
  ready to learn, academic achievement)
• Note serious problems/needs, but emphasize
  solutions
• Identify policy options
• Be honest about costs and potential
  implementation problems
• Highlight school health as an emerging trend

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Persistence Pays

• Respect the hierarchy
• Stay focused on the ultimate goal
• Dont expect quick or easy success
• Sustain the effort
• Be willing to compromisebut know your bottom
  line
• Dont 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

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• Oregons Model Wellness Policy

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Jigsaw Directions

• Purple - Preamble
• Pink - Nutrition Guidelines
• Blue - Nutrition Education
• Khaki Green - Physical Fitness
• Golden Yellow - Other School-Based Activities