Children need access to healthful foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to grow, learn, and thrive. Child wellness also promotes school attendance and education. Students at Meadow View Elementary School will be provided these opportunities in various ways, as stated in the Meadow View Elementary School Wellness Policy.

 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PLAN                                                                                                                                             

All students shall participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity each day, as follows:

 

1.      Each student shall participate in physical education class at least once a week. Each physical education class will last for 45 minutes.

2.      Physical education class will use physical activity as a means to help students acquire skills, fitness, knowledge, and attitudes that contribute to their optimal development and well-being (Practical Living/Vocational Studies Core Content for Assessment 4.1).

3.      As part of the instructional day, physical activity will not exceed 30 minutes per day or 150 minutes per week. The remaining 105 minutes will be split up in increments of no more than 30 minutes per day. (Kentucky Revised Statutes - KRS 160.345)

4.      Teachers shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that students avoid periods of more than 40 minutes of physical inactivity. When possible, physical activity should be incorporated. When not possible, students should be given breaks and encouraged to be moderately active.

5.      Students will be given the opportunity to participate in 10 minutes of social physical activity time each day.

6.      Appropriate accommodations should be made for students with special needs, as required by law and sound professional judgment.

7.      All students’ physical activity will be assessed at least once a year (KRS 160.345). Meadow View Elementary School will use the Marine Corp Physical Fitness Test as a guide. 

8.      At the beginning of each school year, teachers will be provided examples of how physical activities can be incorporated in other areas of instruction (Hardin County Schools Wellness Policy).

 

NUTRITION

Meadow View Elementary School will continue to encourage healthy choices using the following methods:

1.      Meadow View will continue to make available a nutritional breakfast each morning, meeting the requirements of the National School Breakfast Program.

2.      Meadow View will continue to make available a nutritional lunch, and alternatives, each day, meeting the requirements of the National School Lunch Program.

3.      Meadow View strongly recommends that students bring healthy snacks and drinks to school. The following foods and drinks are recommended and approved by the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA). The following list complies with the Minimum Nutritional Standards for Foods and Beverages available on public school campuses during the school day (KY Department of Education, 2005).

a.   Fluid unflavored or flavored milk that is no more than 1% milk fat;

b.   Plain or flavored water that is non-carbonated and non-caloric;

c.   100% fruit or vegetable juice or any combination of both totaling 100%;

d.   Any other beverage that contains no more than ten (10) grams of sugar per serving, except for 100% fruit or vegetable juice or any combination of both equaling 100%;

e.   Caffeine –free, except for low-fat milk; and

f.    The volume size of the beverages listed in this section shall not exceed seventeen (17) ounces, except for the water.

g.   Calories from fat and saturated fat shall not exceed thirty (30%) and ten (10%) percent, respectively, except for nuts, seeds and nut butters;

h.       Calories from sugar, naturally occurring and added, shall be limited to no more than thirty-two (32%) percent by weight and, in no case, shall the gram weight per serving of sugar exceed fourteen (14) grams. This limit does not apply to fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruits or vegetables found in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs;

i.         Chips, cereals, crackers, baked goods and other such snack items shall be limited to no more than 300 mg of sodium per serving; pastas, meats and soups shall be limited to no more than 450 mg of sodium per serving; while pizzas, sandwiches and entrée-type dishes shall be limited to no more than 600 mg of sodium per serving;

j.        Portion/pack/serving size or chips, crackers, popcorn, cereal, trail mix, nuts, seeds or jerky shall be limited to no more than two (2) ounces;

k.      Portion/pack/serving size for cookies shall be limited to no more than one (1) ounce;

l.         Portion/pack/serving size for cereal bars, granola bars, pastries, muffins, doughnuts, bagels, and other bakery-type items shall be limited to no more than two (2) ounces;

m.     Portion/pack/serving size for non-frozen yogurt shall be limited to no more than eight (8) ounces; and

n.       Portion/pack/serving size of frozen dessert items including but not limited to low fat or fat free ice cream, frozen juice bars; and frozen fruit items, shall be limited to no more than four (4) ounces.

4.      Food prepared for a lesson or class activity must be taught after lunch and be approved by the principal (Hardin County Schools Wellness Policy).

5.      Snacks and celebrations with food will begin no earlier than 30 minutes past the end of the last school lunch (Hardin County Schools Wellness Policy).

6.      The following activities are exempt from the competitive food rules (Hardin County Schools Wellness Policy):

a.       Up to three celebrations (fall, winter, spring) as designated by the site based council.

b.      Field Day.

c.       State testing window with approved snacks only.

7.      All foods used in classes shall be sealed commercially and from a reputable source (Hardin County Schools Wellness Policy).

 

 

PRACTICAL LIVING/VOCATIONAL STUDIES

Practical Living/Vocational Studies curriculum will address all core content, including:

 

1.      Health education

2.      Physical education

3.      Consumerism

4.      Vocational studies

 

HEALTHY CHOICE PLAN

Meadow View will encourage healthy choices among staff using the following methods:

 

1.      Meadow View Elementary School shall continue to provide an accessible and productive work environment free from physical dangers or emotional threats. This environment will be as safe as possible and consistent with applicable occupation and health laws, policies and rules.

2.      The drink vending machine in the staff lounge will offer choices of water and carbonated beverages.

 

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

The provisions of this policy will be implemented to comply with provisions required by federal law, state law, and local board policy. If any specific requirement above does not fit with those rules, the principal will notify the council so that the policy can be amended to fit.

 

The principal will share this policy with the Kentucky Department of Education upon request for this information.

 

POLICY EVALUATION

We will evaluate the effectiveness of this policy through our School Improvement Planning Process.

 

Date Adopted:__7-13-10______

 

Date Reviewed or Revised:_______ Council Chairperson’s Initials________

Date Reviewed or Revised:_______ Council Chairperson’s Initials________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Hardin County Schools. (2007). Wellness Policy. Retrieved on January 11, 2010, from http://www.hardin.k12.ky.us/supt/policy/9_2.pdf.

 

Wellness Policy, Kentucky Revised Statutes. §160-345(2009).