York Suburban School District recognizes that student wellness is related to students’ physical and social-emotional well-being, growth, development, and readiness to learn. The Board is committed to providing a school environment that promotes student wellness, proper nutrition, nutrition education, and regular physical activity as part of the total learning experience. In a healthy school environment, students will learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement. In addition, the Board recognizes the importance of good mental health in the social-emotional development of its students and is resolved to addressing the needs of students. Support systems will be available to redirect problem behavior before it interferes with normal social, emotional and intellectual growth.

Authority

The Board adopts the Student Wellness Policy based on the recommendations of the appointed Wellness Committee and in accordance with federal and state laws.[1][2]

To ensure the health and well-being of all students, the Board establishes that the District shall provide to students:

1. A comprehensive nutrition program consistent with federal and state requirements.
2. Foods and beverages sold during the school day at a reasonable cost and meet established nutritional guidelines.
3. Physical education courses and opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day.
4. Curriculum and programs for grades K-12 that are designed to educate students about proper nutrition and lifelong physical activity, in accordance with State Board of Education curricula regulations and academic standards.
5. Curriculum and programs for grades K-12 that are designed to support the social-emotional health and well-being of all students.

Delegation of Responsibility

Each building Principal shall be responsible to monitor his/her school, programs, and curriculum to ensure compliance with this policy, related policies and established guidelines or administrative guidelines.[2]

Each building Principal or designee shall report to the Superintendent regarding compliance in his/her school on an annual basis.

Staff members responsible for programs related to student wellness shall report to the building Principal regarding the status of such programs.

The Superintendent shall annually report to the Board on the District’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The report may include:

1. Listing of activities and programs conducted to promote nutrition, physical activity, and social-emotional well-being.
2. Recommendations for policy and/or program revisions.
3. Suggestions for improvement in specific areas to promote healthy lifestyles.
4. Feedback received from District staff, students, parents/guardians, community members and the Wellness Committee.

The Superintendent or designee and the appointed Wellness Committee shall periodically conduct an assessment on the contents and implementation of this policy as part of a continuous improvement process to strengthen the policy and ensure implementation. The assessment shall include the extent to which District schools are in compliance with law and policies related to student wellness, and shall describe the progress made by the District in attaining the goals of this policy. The assessment shall be made available to the public.[2]

The District shall inform and update the public, including parents/guardians, students, and others in the community, about the contents and implementation of this policy.[2]

Guidelines

Wellness Committee

The Superintendent shall appoint a Wellness Committee comprised of at least one (1) of each of the following: School Board member, District administrator, District food service representative, student, parent/guardian, and member of the community.  Additional members of the committee may include teacher(s) responsible for pertinent curriculum, school nurse, school counselor, coach, health professional, and representative of a local or county agency.

The District shall be required to permit physical education teachers and school health professionals to participate on the Wellness Committee.[2]

The Wellness Committee shall serve as an advisory committee to the Superintendent regarding student health issues.

The Wellness Committee may examine related research and laws, assess student needs and the current school environment, review existing Board policies and administrative guidelines, and raise awareness about student health issues.

The Wellness Committee may make policy recommendations to the Board related to other health issues necessary to promote student wellness.

The Wellness Committee may survey parents/guardians and/or students; conduct community forums or focus groups; collaborate with appropriate community agencies and organizations; and engage in similar activities, within the budget established for these purposes.

The Wellness Committee shall meet a minimum of three (3) times per school year and will provide periodic reports to the Superintendent or designee regarding the status of its work, as required.

Nutrition Education

The goal of nutrition education is to teach, encourage and support healthy eating by students. Promoting student health and nutrition enhances readiness for learning and increases student achievement.

Nutrition education will be provided within the sequential, comprehensive health education program in accordance with curriculum regulations and the academic standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, and Family and Consumer Sciences.[3][4][5]

Nutrition education shall provide all students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead healthy lives.

Nutrition education shall be integrated into other subjects to complement but not replace academic standards based on nutrition education.

Lifelong lifestyle balance shall be reinforced by linking nutrition education and physical activity.

The staff responsible for providing nutrition education shall be properly trained and prepared and shall participate in appropriate professional development.

District staff shall cooperate with agencies and community organizations to provide opportunities for appropriate student projects related to nutrition.

Consistent nutrition messages shall be disseminated throughout the District, schools, classrooms, cafeterias, homes, community and media.

Nutrition education shall extend beyond the school environment by engaging and involving families and the community.

Nutrition Promotion

The District aims to teach, encourage, and support healthful eating by students. District schools shall promote nutrition by providing appropriate nutrition education in accordance with the Student Wellness Policy.

Physical Activity

District schools shall strive to provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate physical activity during the school day for all students.

District schools shall contribute to the effort to provide students opportunities to accumulate age-appropriate physical activity on all or most days of the school week. This can include physical activity outside the school environment, such as outdoor play at home, sports, etc.

Students will be encouraged to participate in age-appropriate physical activity opportunities, such as recess; before and after school; during lunch; clubs; intramurals; and interscholastic athletics, which shall be provided to meet the needs and interests of all students, in addition to planned physical education.

A physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students shall be maintained.

Physical activity breaks shall be provided for elementary students during classroom hours.

After-school programs shall provide developmentally appropriate physical activity for participating children.

District schools shall partner with parents/guardians and community members to institute programs that support physical activity.

Students and the community shall, as appropriate, have access to physical activity utilizing District facilities outside of school hours.

Physical Education

Quality physical education instruction that promotes lifelong physical activity and provides instruction in the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong participation shall be provided.

Physical education classes shall be the means through which all students learn, practice and are assessed on developmentally appropriate skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong, health-enhancing physical activity.

A varied and comprehensive curriculum that encourages students to become and remain physically active for a lifetime shall be provided in the physical education program.

A sequential physical education program consistent with curriculum regulations and Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards shall be developed and implemented. All District students must participate in physical education.[4][5][6]

Adequate amounts of planned instruction shall be provided in order for students to achieve the proficient level for the Health, Safety and Physical Education academic standards.

Students shall be moderately to vigorously active at least fifty percent (50%) of the time during a physical education class. Documented medical conditions and disabilities shall be accommodated during class.

Safe and adequate equipment, facilities and resources shall be provided for physical education courses.

Physical education shall be taught by certified health and physical education teachers.

Appropriate professional development shall be provided for physical education staff.

Social-emotional Support

The District shall provide for the social-emotional growth and development of all students. In addition to the daily work of the classroom teachers, the District counselors shall provide classroom education in a variety of areas to assist students in developing a positive self-esteem and appropriate peer relationships. District schools shall also provide additional support for students with particular social-emotional needs. The District maintains a commitment to teaching and supporting anti-bullying initiatives and activities and programs that engage students in healthy practices.

Other School Based Activities

Drinking water shall be available and accessible to students, without restriction and at no cost to the student, at all meal periods and throughout the school day.[7][8]

District schools shall provide adequate space for eating and serving school meals.

Students shall be provided a clean and safe meal environment.

Students shall be provided adequate time to eat.

Meal periods shall be scheduled at appropriate hours, as defined by the District.

Students shall have access to hand washing before meals and snacks.

Nutrition professionals who meet criteria established by the District shall administer the school meals program.

Professional development shall be provided for District nutrition staff.

Access to the food service operation shall be limited to authorized staff.

Students and parents/guardians may be involved in an advisory capacity in menu selections through various means.

Nutrition Standards/Guidelines

All foods available in District schools during the school day shall be offered to students with consideration for promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity.

Foods provided through the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs shall comply with established federal nutrition standards.[10][7][8][9]

Competitive foods available to students in District schools outside of school meal programs shall comply with established federal nutrition standards and the Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools, as applicable.[11][12]

The District may impose additional restrictions on competitive foods, provided that the restrictions are not inconsistent with federal requirements.[11]

Exclusive competitive food and/or beverage contracts shall be approved by the Board, in accordance with provisions of law.[13]

Management Of Food Allergies In District Schools

The District shall establish Board policy and administrative guidelines to address food allergy management in District schools in order to:[14]

1. Reduce and/or eliminate the likelihood of severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.
2. Ensure a rapid and effective response in case of a severe or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
3. Protect the rights of students by providing them, through necessary accommodations when required, the opportunity to participate fully in all school programs and activities.

Safe Routes To School

The District shall assess and, to the extent possible, implement improvements to make walking and biking to school safer and easier for students.

The District shall cooperate with local municipalities, public safety agency, police departments, and community organizations to develop and maintain safe routes to school.

District administrators shall seek and utilize available federal and state funding for safe routes to school, when appropriate.