Tiverton School Committee Subcommittee on Health and Wellness

The Tiverton School Committee hereby establishes and will maintain a standing subcommittee known as the Subcommittee on Health and Wellness (hereinafter referred to as Subcommittee). 

The members of this subcommittee shall include parents, students, faculty, staff, administrators, representatives from community agencies, the business community, local and statewide non-profit health organizations and health professionals.  In accordance with RIGL § 16-21-28, a majority of the subcommittee members must be individuals who are not employed by the School District and the chairperson must be a member of the School Committee.  The Chairperson of the Tiverton School Committee shall appoint the Chairperson of this Subcommittee and the members of the Subcommittee shall be approved by the Tiverton School Committee.

This Subcommittee shall have the following responsibilities:

• Review the District’s Health and Education curricula and instruction in collaboration with K-12 PE/Health Teachers and School Nurses on a bi-annual basis to identify aspects which could be changed in order to improve its focus on decreasing obesity and enhancing the health and well-being of students and making recommendations to the Superintendent and/or School Committee regarding any potential changes;
• Review the District’s physical education curricula and instruction in collaboration with K-12 PE/Health Teachers and School Nurses on a bi-annual basis to identify aspects which could be changed in order to improve its  focus on decreasing obesity and enhancing the health and well-being of students and making recommendations to the Superintendent and/or School Committee regarding any potential changes;
• Review the District’s nutrition and physical activity policies in collaboration with K-12 PE/Health Teachers and School Nurses on a bi-annual basis  to identify aspects which could be changed in order to improve its focus on decreasing obesity and enhancing the health and well-being of students and making recommendations to the Superintendent and/or School Committee regarding any potential changes;

*** It will be the responsibility of the Curriculum Director in collaboration with the Chairperson of the Health and Wellness Subcommittee to schedule these meetings with the K-12 PE/Health Teachers and School Nurses.

• Recommend to the School Committee policies, strategies, and implementation plans that meet the requirements of the child nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, Section 204.
• Serve as a resource to individual schools (e.g., provide lists of healthy incentives, snacks, birthday celebration foods, etc.);
• Collaborate with the Superintendent and/or his designees regarding the development and dissemination of nutrition and wellness educational materials for students, parents and staff;
• The Director of Administration and Finance and the Chairperson of the Health and Wellness in collaboration with representatives from the food service provider conduct Food Service Advisory Committee Meetings three times per year in each school.  The Advisory Committee will consist of two or more members of the Health and Wellness Subcommittee, representatives from the District’s Food Service Vendor, Building Principals (one from each level) and two students from each grade level;
• Prepare a report annually for the School Committee which includes, but is not limited to the following information:
  • Monthly district menus and meal counts;
  • Listing of all a la carte and vending sales of foods throughout the District including school food service, vending machines, school stores, culinary and special educational programs, in-school and in-class fundraisers, etc.;
  • Listing of physical activity programs and opportunities for students throughout the school year;
  • Listing of information provided to parents throughout grades K-12;
  • Staff Wellness promotional activities;

This policy will go into effect:___________of__________,__________
Nutrition Education Guidelines

Student Nutrition Education:

The Tiverton School Department has a comprehensive K-12 nutrition curriculum. All K-12 instructional staff will be encouraged to integrate nutritional themes from the Rhode Island Department of Education Health Education Framework and/or the Rhode Island Family & Consumer Science Framework into daily lessons when appropriate.  The health benefits of good nutrition should be emphasized.  These nutritional themes include but are not limited to:

Knowledge of the Food Guide Pyramid                                    Healthy heart choices

Sources & variety of foods, including locally grown                   Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Diet and disease prevention                                                       Understanding calories

Healthy snacks                                                             Healthy breakfast                                 

Food labels                                                                              Bone health & osteoporosis

Major nutrients                                                             Multicultural influences

Serving portion sizes                                                                 Proper Food Safety/Sanitation

Promote and identify high nutrient dense foods                         

Parent Nutrition Education:

Nutrition education will be provided to parents beginning at the elementary level.  The goal will be to continue to educate parents throughout middle and high school levels.

Nutrition education may be provided in the form of handouts, postings on the district website, articles and information provided in district or school newsletters, presentations that focus on nutritional value and healthy lifestyles, and through any other appropriate means available for reaching parents.

District Food Service Program and Food/Beverage Sales Within Schools

The full meal school breakfast and lunch programs will comply with the USDA Requirements for Federal School Meals Programs and with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.  The District guidelines must meet the minimum requirements of the USDA guidelines, and may be more restrictive to exceed these requirements. The School Food Service provider will be encouraged to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables and dairy products when possible provided that such purchases are fiscally prudent.

Food/Beverage Sales within District Schools will meet the requirements of applicable state and federal laws and regulations.  Products which support District Nutrition Guidelines will be encouraged.  The School Food Service Program including vending, ala carte and foods sold on campus will follow the District's Nutrition Guidelines when determining the items offered in the cafeteria as a la carte and for competitive food offerings. 

Nutrition Guidelines:

Food:

The District encourages the consumption of nutrient dense foods, i.e. Whole Grains, Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, and Dairy Products throughout the instructional day  Food sold on school property during the instructional day must meet statutory requirements.  Administrators, faculty and staff  must also provide healthy alternatives during other instructional day sponsored events where food is distributed at no cost to the student.

Beverages:

The District encourages the consumption of milk products, water and beverages containing 50-100% fruit juices with no added artificial sweeteners immediately prior to and throughout the instructional day.  This standard can be phased-in over the next three school years.