Wellness Policy: KB

The Superintendent recognizes the strong link between health and academic success and that a healthy student is better prepared to learn. 27J Schools is committed to promoting the social, emotional, and physical wellness of our school communities by taking a whole child approach. The district will promote a coordinated approach through good nutrition, regular physical activity and an environment that supports social, emotional and physical health and wellness of all students and staff.

1.1      27J Schools will provide a comprehensive learning environment for developing and practicing lifelong healthy habits and behaviors.     

1.1.1 The whole school environment shall be aligned with healthy school goals to positively influence a student’s understanding, beliefs, and habits related to good nutrition, regular physical activity, and other school-based activities designed to promote lifeline health and wellness. This includes providing support for mental health services and health services related to other District policies and procedures.  

1.1.2 The District will work to provide wellness resources that support students and staff participation in health promotion programs and support implementation of strategies to promote healthy eating, nutrition education, nutrition promotion, physical activity, social/emotional learning, and positive mental health behaviors. In addition any food or beverages provided but not sold to students during the school day for celebrations, parties, rewards or incentives shall meet nutrition standards. 

1.2     The District will support and promote proper dietary habits contributing to students’ health status and academic performance. 

1.2.1 The District’s Nutrition Services department and District schools will operate in accordance with State and Federal regulations. 

1.2.2 Smart Snack Rule. Schools participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program shall adhere to the United States Department of Agriculture Smart Snack rule effective July 1, 2014. 

1.2.2.1 Food and beverage items sold during the school day (including school cafeterias, vending machines, school stores, and fundraising activities) must meet the requirements of the Smart Snack Rule. Snacks which do not meet the Rule’s requirements may not be sold to students at any time during the school day. The school day is defined as midnight to 30 minutes following the end of the official school day. 

1.2.2.1.1 The Colorado Department of Education allows up to three exempt fundraisers per school building each year. Nutrition Services must maintain records documenting compliance with the Smart Snack rule. Schools are to submit fundraisers for exemption to Nutrition Services for approval.

 1.2.2.2 Food and beverages that are made available at no cost to students during the school day, for example incentives, rewards and celebrations are recommended to include a variety of foods, with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains. 

1.2.2.2.1 Schools shall operate in accordance with District Policy JLCDA in considering students with food allergies.  

1.2.2.3 All food and beverage items marketed during the school day, on the school campus, must meet requirements of the Smart Snack Rule. This does not apply to materials used for educational purposes, incentive programs (for example, restaurant nights or coupon cards), or marketing for an exempt fundraiser. 

1.2.3 All schools shall provide students with a minimum of 10 minutes to eat breakfast and 15 minutes to eat lunch, this does not include time in line and time to clean up. 

1.2.4 Meals shall not be denied to a student as a disciplinary action. 

1.2.5 Non-food rewards and incentives are recommended as the first choice to encourage positive behavior, considering students with food allergies.

1.3 The District will provide opportunities for students to engage in physical activity.

1.3.1 Physical activity may include, but is not limited to, physical education, recess, classroom fitness breaks, field trips that include physical activity, exercise programs, or classroom activities that include physical activity. 

1.3.1 Schools shall include not less than the minimum required amount of physical activity in the schedules of students attending elementary schools, as such minimums are set forth in state law. Middle and high school students shall be afforded opportunities for physical activity that are age appropriate. 

1.3.3 Physical activity shall not be imposed or denied as disciplinary action.

2.0  Each school is encouraged to establish an ongoing School Wellness team that convenes to develop and implement school-level wellness plans. This representative team may also gather and disseminate wellness-related information and opportunities to students, staff members, and the community as they see appropriate.

3.0 The District will convene a representative Committee to provide collaborative, strategic direction that promotes a healthy foundation for the school community through the Whole Child Model. Stakeholders are invited to participate via a wide variety of media that may include, but not be limited to, the district website, social media, newsletters, etc. 

3.1 The representative committee shall monitor the implementation of this policy at the District level, evaluate the District’s progress on this policy’s goals, serve as a resource to schools, and recommend revisions to this policy. 

3.1.1 Once every three (3) years, the representative committee, in coordination with the District-level designee, will evaluate compliance with the Wellness Policy. Results of this evaluation will be made available to the public via a wide variety of media that may include, but not be limited to, the district website, social media, newsletters, etc.

 

**Non-school personnel are not subject to these regulations (i.e., those renting 27J facilities for purposes other than student education).

 

Adopted:  August 08, 2006

Revised:  August 21, 2014

Revised:  June 23, 2017

Revised: April 19, 2022

Revised: April 23, 2024

 

LEGAL REFS: Section 204 of P.L. 108-265 (Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004)

Section 204 of P.L. 11-296 (Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act) 

C.R.S. 22-32-124 (nutritious choices in vending machines)

C.R.S. 22-32-134.5 (healthy beverages requirement)

C.R.S. 22-32-136 (policies to improve children’s nutrition and wellness) 

C.R.S. 22-32-1363.3 (transfat ban) 

C.R.S. 22-32-136.5 (physical activity requirement) 

 

CROSS REFS: EF, Food Services

EFC and EFC-R, Free and Reduced-Price Food Services

EFEA*, Nutritious Food Choices

EFEA*-E, Guidelines for Nutritious Choices in Vending Machines

IA, Instructional Goals for Learning Objectives

IHAE, Physical Education

IHAM, and IHAM-R, Health Education

IHAMA, Teaching About Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

IHAMB and IHAMB-R, Family Life/Sex Education